Did you know that on May 19, one man with a bomb in his hand changed the course of the street history of Warsaw, and on the same day in a completely different place of the world Napoleon Bonaparte created the foundations of one of the most prestigious decorations that millions of people carry today? Just such unexpected accounts make what happened that day in history never ceases to amaze. Welcome to a short journey for centuries — Because May 19 is a date extremely rich in breakthrough moments, dramatic twists of action and people who permanently changed the face of the world.
What happened on May 19th? Major events in history
1536 – Anna Boleyn loses her head on Tower Green
That day, in the courtyard of London's Tower fortress, a death sentence was executed on Annie Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII of England Tudor. Accused of cheating on her husband with court musician Mark Smeaton, she faced the Katyn axe — Although most historians consider the charges fabricated by political enemies. Death Anna had huge consequences: she opened the way for another king's marriage, and thus for further reformation changes in England. This day in history closed one of the most dramatic chapters in the history of the English monarchy.
1802 – Napoleon establishes the Order of the Legion of Honor
Just a few years after the revolution that overturned the old order, Napoleon Bonaparte established a new highest honour in France. — Order of the Legion of Honor. It was replaced by former aristocratic titles, opening an honor to soldiers, scholars and artists regardless of their origin. It's one of the longest functioning state awards in the world. — to this day it is presented by the Presidents of France. Few people remember that this prestigious symbol of the modern state was born on 19 May.
1912 – Bolesław Prusian dies, one of the giants of Polish literature
19 May 1912 Warsaw goodbye Boleslaw Prusa — writer, novelist, journalist and chronicler, who for decades documented the life of Polish society under occupations. The author of "The Doll", "Faraona" and "Week Chronicle" was not only a prominent artist, but also an insightful observer of everyday life — From urban poverty problems to intelligence dilemmas. His death She echoed in Polish cultural life, and funeral became an unofficial national manifestation. Prussia remains one of the most widely read Polish writers of the 19th century.
1941 – Bismarck departs from Gdynia on the last cruise
On 19 May 1941 Bismarck battleship sailed from Gdynia — Kriegsmarine pride and one of the most powerful warships of his time. After joining the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, the team took a course to the Atlantic to wreak havoc among the Allied convoys. However, the cruise ended in a disaster for the Germans — Just eight days later, on May 27, Bismarck was sunk by the British fleet in the North-East Atlantic. His sinking became a symbol of the end of the dominance of the great battleships in the modern naval war.
1919 – Orteiga Award and Dream of Transatlantic Air Travel
On the same day in 1919, New York hotelier Raymond Orteig founded a $25,000 prize for the first airman to fly without landing from New York City to Paris or in the opposite direction. Over the years, many daredevils have tried to take on a challenge — and died during rehearsals. Triumph came only eight years later when Charles Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget Airport in Paris in 1927. It was this award that started the commercial aviation era and proved that the ocean ceases to be an insurmountable barrier.
1962 – Marilyn Monroe sings to Kennedy "Happy Birthday"
On May 19, 1962, one of the most memorable spectacles in the history of American culture was held at Madison Square Garden, New York. Marilyn Monroe — in a tight, shiny dress — She whispered to the microphone "Happy Birthday, Mr. President", dedicating the birthday song to President John F. Kennedy. The performance lasted only a few minutes, but it became an icon of the era. To this day, it is one of the most frequently cited moments when the world of politics and popular culture intersects. It's worth knowing that Kennedy was only gonna turn 45 on May 29. — The party was organized a little earlier.
1999 – "The Dark Phantom" premiere — Star Wars return after sixteen years
What happened that day in 1999? Millions of fans around the world will answer with one voice: Star Wars have returned! The premiere of "Star Wars: Part I – Dark Spectre" directed by George Lucas ended a sixteen-year-old hiatus in cinematic soot. The spectators lined up for tickets weeks before the show — Some people pitched tents in front of the movies. FilmAlthough adopted by criticism cooler than the original trilogy, it proved to be a spot hit and gave the world the character of little Anakin Skywalker and the infamous Jar Jar Binks. It was on 19 May that it became the limit date for the entire generation of cinemataniaans.
2024 – Death of Iranian President in helicopter crash
Just two years ago, on May 19, 2024, the world was told about the tragedy in the mountains of Iran's Eastern Azerbaijan. Iran's President Ebrahim Ra’isi and Foreign Minister Hosejn Amir Abdollahijan died along with seven others in the helicopter crash when returning from the ceremonial opening of the barrier at the Azerbaijan-Iran border. Accident took place in difficult weather conditions and mountain terrain, which made the rescue effort difficult. Ra’isi’s death sparked political earthquake in Tehran and increased speculation on the future of the Iranian regime.
Born 19 May
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk (1881) – Turkish military and politician, founder and first president of the Turkish Republic, who conducted a radical modernization of the country and is still worshipped in Turkey as the "father of the nation".
Hồ Chí Minh (1890) – Vietnamese communist leader and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, symbol of the fight for the independence of Vietnam and one of the most recognizable figures in the 20th century history of Asia.
Malcolm X (1925) – American social activist and leader of the African American rights movement, one of the most charismatic and controversial voices in the struggle for racial equality in the United States.
Andrea Pirlo (1979) – włoski piłkarz uznawany za jednego z najwybitniejszych rozgrywających w historii futbolu, mistrz świata z 2006 roku, słynący z niezwykłej wizji gry i precyzji podań.
Sam Smith (1992) – brytyjski piosenkarz i kompozytor, zdobywca nagród Grammy i Oscara, znany z emocjonalnych ballad i charakterystycznego głosu, jeden z największych artystów muzyki pop ostatnich lat.
World events
1536 – Egzekucja Anny Boleyn – Druga żona króla Anglii Henryka VIII została ścięta w Tower of London po oskarżeniach o zdradę małżeńską, które większość historyków uważa za fałszywe.
1802 – Napoleon tworzy Legię Honorową – Pierwszy Konsul Francji ustanowił order, który przetrwał do dziś jako jedno z najbardziej prestiżowych odznaczeń na świecie.
1919 – Nagroda Orteiga za przelot transatlantycki – Nowojorski hotelarz Raymond Orteig ufundował 25 tysięcy dolarów dla pierwszego lotnika, który pokona Atlantyk bez lądowania — co ostatecznie udało się Lindberghowi osiem lat później.
1962 – Marilyn Monroe i urodzinowa piosenka dla Kennedyego – Podczas gali w Madison Square Garden actress wykonała słynną wersję „Happy Birthday to You” dedykowaną prezydentowi Stanów Zjednoczonych.
1999 – Premiera „Gwiezdnych Wojen: Mroczne Widmo” – Po szesnastu latach przerwy George Lucas powrócił do swojej kosmicznej sagi, wywołując globalną euforię wśród fanów i bijąc rekordy kasowe.
Przeglądając to bogate kalendarium historyczne, trudno oprzeć się wrażeniu, że 19 maja to data, która w każdym stuleciu potrafiła zaskoczyć świat — od egzekucji królowej Anglii, przez narodziny państwa tureckiego, po kosmiczne sagi Hollywood. This day in history udowadnia, że przeszłość nigdy nie jest nudna, jeśli tylko wiemy, gdzie szukać. Wróć jutro — bo 20 maja ma do opowiedzenia równie wiele fascynujących historii.
