Old clock in sand with the words: It Happend in April

Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on April 19th?

Discover major events and cultural milestones that happened on this day — organized by year. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.

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1034 CE, April 19

Mieszko II Lambert is crowned King of Poland.

1367 CE, April 19

King Charles IV of France issues the Ordonnance Cabochienne, which aims to restrict the powers of the French monarchy.

1775 CE, April 19

The Battles of Lexington and Concord are fought, marking the start of the American Revolutionary War, with British troops and colonial militiamen clashing in Massachusetts. More

1780 CE, April 19

The Battle of Martinique takes place during the Anglo-French War. More

1861 CE, April 19

The Baltimore Riot - A mob of Confederate sympathizers attacks Union soldiers resulting in the death of 4 soldiers and 12 civilians during the riots. While the attack on Fort Sumter is often cited as the start of the war, the Baltimore riot is seen as the first instance of actual bloodshed involving soldiers. More

1960 CE, April 19

More than 100,000 students in South Korea marched in Seoul in protest over election fraud committed by President Syngman Rhee in the voting of March 15. Police fired into the crowds, killing 140 protesters. The protests served as the catalysts for the "April 19 Revolution" a widespread civic resistance movement which unfolded on a national scale. resulting in the resignation of Syngman Rhee and marking the inauguration of the Second Republic.

1993 CE, April 19

The Branch Davidians religious sect compound led by David Koresh in Waco Texas is destroyed in a fire, ending the 51-day siege by US federal government and Texas state law enforcement officials. Seventy-six Branch Davidians, including 20–28 children and Koresh perished in the fire. More

1995 CE, April 19

Oklahoma City Bombing - At precisely 9:02 a.m. Ex-Army soldier and security guard, Timothy McVeigh explodes a powerful bomb which is inside a parked rented Ryder truck in front of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, killing 168 people. More