Fact 1: Famous Birthdays
Perhaps one of the most fun facts about April 19th is the number of famous people born on this day. Some notable examples include actor James Franco, actress Kate Hudson, and English primatologist Jane Goodall, renowned for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees.
Fact 2: Start of Revolutionary War
April 19th is a significant day in United States history. It marks the anniversary of the start of the American Revolutionary War which began on April 19, 1775. On this day, the first shots were fired in Lexington, Massachusetts, marking the beginning of the colonists' fight for independence from Britain.
Fact 3: Earth Day
While Earth Day is widely recognized on April 22nd, the very first Earth Day was held on April 19, 1970. This milestone in environmental awareness was first celebrated in San Francisco.
Fact 4: Oklahoma City Bombing
April 19th also marks a tragic event in American history. On this day in 1995, a bombing occurred at the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, resulting in the deaths of 168 people.
Fact 5: The Great Fire of London
While not as well-remembered as the famous fire of 1666, a separate fire in London started on April 19, 1691, and destroyed a significant portion of the city.
Fact 6: Calendar Importance in Judaism
In Judaism, April 19th can be the earliest possible date for the holiday of Shavuot, which commemorates the revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
Fact 7: Charlie Chaplin’s Comeback
On April 19, 1972, after a long period of exile for political reasons, legendary actor Charlie Chaplin returned to the United States for the premiere of his movie, "Chaplin's Revue."
Fact 8: Shortest War
April 19th has seen the shortest war in history. In 1897, a war between the British Empire and the Afridi tribes of modern-day Pakistan lasted just 40 minutes.
Fact 9: Sesame Street's Big Bird Debuts
April 19th is also the birthday of a popular fictional character. Big Bird from "Sesame Street" made his television debut on this day in 1969.
Fact 10: Sherlock Holmes
It was on April 19, 1891, in the story "A Scandal in Bohemia," that Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced the famous character of Irene Adler, the only woman to have outwitted Sherlock Holmes.
Fact 11: Cuba’s Bay of Pigs Invasion Ended
April 19, 1961, marks the end of the ill-fated Bay of Pigs Invasion, where Cuban exiles, supported by the U.S. government, tried to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime.
Fact 12: Yuri Gagarin’s Hero’s Welcome
April 19, 1961, was also the day when the first human to orbit the earth, Yuri Gagarin, triumphantly returned to Moscow, attracting a crowd of millions to celebrate his achievement.
Fact 13: J.R.R. Tolkien
Author J.R.R. Tolkien's pivotal work, "The Fellowship of the Ring," was copyrighted in the United States on April 19, 1950.
Fact 14: Netherlands’ Princess Christina
On April 19, 1947, Princess Christina of the Netherlands was born. Despite being a relatively unknown royal, her birth attracted massive attention as she was the first Dutch royal to be born since 1938.
Fact 15: Pokémon Stadium Game Release
For video game enthusiasts, April 19 holds significance as the day when Nintendo released the popular game 'Pokémon Stadium' in North America in 2000.
Fact 16: Romanian Commemoration Day
In Romania, April 19 is celebrated as 'Remembrance Day for Victims of the Holocaust,' commemorating the day in 1944 when deportations of Jews to Nazi concentration camps began.
Fact 17: "The Phantom of the Opera"
The longest-running play in Broadway history, "The Phantom of the Opera," surpassed 7,486 performances on April 19, 2006.
Fact 18: UK’s Anonymous Postcards
In the UK, April 19, 2014, marked the day when the British Postal Museum & Archive released a collection of 'anonymous' postcards dating back over 150 years, offering fascinating insights into Britain's social history.
Fact 19: Canada’s Maple Leaf Flag
The design for the modern Canadian flag was approved by the country's parliament on April 19, 1964.
Fact 20: Benjamin Disraeli’s Death
Prominent British statesman and literary figure, Benjamin Disraeli, died on April 19, 1881. He is remembered as one of the most influential Prime Ministers in British history.
Conclusively, April 19th stands as a unique day helming historical events, engaging trivia, and interesting anecdotes. From birthdays of historic figures to milestones in popular culture, every April 19 promises an intriguing blend of fun and history.