November 19: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

November 19^th is a special day, as it’s the day we celebrate Play Monopoly Day and Have A Bad Day Day.

Welcome to day 323 of 365! We’re only 42 days away from celebrating the new year… but it’s probably too early to be thinking about that yet.

Today was a day of inventions, discoveries, disasters and some of the most famous people in the world were born and died on this day.

Did you know that on this day in 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage? He named the island San Juan Bautista in honor of St John the baptist.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about November 19^th in history!

What Events Happened On November 19 In History?

2010 “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1,” based on J.K. Rowling’s 2007 fantasy novel, was released worldwide on this day.

2006 The Nintendo Wii was released in the US.

The Wii was Nintendo's fifth major home game console, following the GameCube.

1999 The People’s Republic of China launched Shenzhou 1, the first uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft.

1980 Television broadcasting company CBS banned a Calvin Klein Jeans advertisement.

The advertisement featured 15-year-old Brooke Shields, and broadcasters thought it was too suggestive. In the ad, Shields says, "You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing," and this was seen as inappropriate for a 15-year-old to be speaking in a slightly seductive way.

1969 Pelé, the legendary Brazilian soccer star, scored his 1,000th goal.

Known primarily as Pelé, Edson Arantes do Nascimento started playing for the Brazilian national soccer team when he was just 16. Over his twenty-year career, he scored close to an average of one goal per game, totaling 1,279 goals.

1916 Goldwyn Pictures film studio was founded by Samuel Goldwyn, Edgar Selwyn, and Archibald Selwyn.

The film studio is most famed for its roaring lion logo.

1895 Inventor, Frederick E. Blaisdell patented the pencil in the US.

He called it "sheathing with paper sheaths."

1881 A meteorite weighing 8kg landed southwest of Odessa, Ukraine.

Witnesses reported a giant fireball as it entered Earth's atmosphere, with the meteorite touching down just outside of the village Grossliebenthal. Most of the meteorite now lies at the Academy of Science in Moscow.

1863 One of the greatest speeches of all American history, The Gettysburg Address, was given by Abraham Lincoln.

OTD in 1863: One of the greatest speeches of all American history

1850 The British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson became Britain’s Poet Laureate.

He succeeded William Wordsworth and was succeeded by Alfred Austin. Some of his most celebrated poems include "Claribel" and "Mariana."

1824 The Great Flood of St Petersburg killed 10,000 people and affected almost half a million more.

OTD in 1824: The Great Flood of St Petersburg killed 10

The Neva River was blocked by an ice jam that stopped the river flow. When that ice melted, the entire city became flooded.

1816 The University of Warsaw, Poland, was founded as a Royal University following the Partitions of Poland.

Alexander I permitted the university to be formed with five faculties, following the partitions of the country, which meant that the prestigious University of Kraków was no longer accessible for all of Poland.

1493 Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage.

461 AD Pope Hilarius became the Bishop of Rome.

He continued his position until his death on February 29, 468.

November 18 Nov 18 November 20 Nov 20

Famous People Born On November 19

Is today is your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Meg Ryan. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1983 Adam Driver

American Actor

Age:: 38 years old
Born In:: California, USA

1961 Meg Ryan

American Actress

Age:: 60 years old
Born In:: Connecticut, USA

Special Holidays On November 19

If you’re looking for something to do today, maybe these special holidays might just help to cure your boredom!

National Play Monopoly Day

National Have A Bad Day Day

November 19 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone

Everyone who was born on November 19 shares the star sign of Scorpio.

If your birthday is in November, your birthstone is the topaz. Topaz is considered among the most powerful of gemstones. The gem signifies emotional balance and gives protection from greed.

For those of you who were born on November 19, you were likely conceived the same year on February 26.