Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
May 19 Tuesday, May 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 19 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
War 250 years ago
American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.
A Continental Army garrison surrenders to British forces and their Indigenous allies in the Battle of The Cedars during the American Revolutionary War.
History
What happened on May 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 639World history
Ashina Jiesheshuai and his tribesmen assault Emperor Taizong at Jiucheng Palace.
Ashina Jiesheshuai leads a tribal attack on Emperor Taizong at Jiucheng Palace.
- 715Religion
Pope Gregory II is elected.
Pope Gregory II is elected as the successor to Pope Gregory I, becoming the 78th bishop of Rome.
- 934European history
The Byzantine Empire reconquers Melitene under the leadership of John Kourkouas.
John Kourkouas leads the Byzantine Empire to reclaim Melitene, expanding its territory in the east.
- 1051Royalty
Henry I of France marries the Rus' princess, Anne of Kiev.
Henry I of France marries Anne of Kiev, a Rus' princess, strengthening alliances between their realms.
- 1445War
John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon at the First Battle of Olmedo.
John II of Castile defeats the Infantes of Aragon in the First Battle of Olmedo.
- 1499Royalty
Catherine of Aragon is married by proxy to Arthur, Prince of Wales. Catherine is 13 and Arthur is 12.
Catherine of Aragon marries Arthur, Prince of Wales, by proxy at age 13, while the heir to the English throne is just 12.
- 1535European history
French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships, 110 men, and Chief Donnacona's two sons (whom Cartier had kidnapped during his first voyage).
Jacques Cartier sets sail for North America with three ships and 110 men, including Chief Donnacona’s two kidnapped sons.
- 1542World history
The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty in present-day Myanmar.
The Prome Kingdom falls to the Taungoo Dynasty, marking a significant expansion of Taungoo power in the region.
- 1643European history
Thirty Years' War: French forces under the duc d'Enghien decisively defeat Spanish forces at the Battle of Rocroi, marking the symbolic end of Spain as a dominant land power.
The duc d'Enghien leads French forces to victory over Spanish troops at the Battle of Rocroi, signaling the decline of Spanish dominance.
- 1655UK history
The Invasion of Jamaica begins during the Anglo-Spanish War.
British forces invade Jamaica during the Anglo-Spanish War, beginning a campaign that would wrest the island from Spanish control.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: A Continental Army garrison surrenders in the Battle of The Cedars.
A Continental Army garrison surrenders to British forces and their Indigenous allies in the Battle of The Cedars during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1845World history
Captain Sir John Franklin and his ill-fated Arctic expedition depart from Greenhithe, England.
Captain Sir John Franklin departs from Greenhithe, England, leading an expedition to navigate the Northwest Passage.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 54
Claudia Karvan
Australian actress, producer, and screenwriter
Claudia Karvan, Australian actress known for her roles in The Secret Life of Us and Love My Way, turns 52 today.
Born
1972
Turns 54
today
Abraham Pais
Dutch-American physicist, historian, and academic
1918 – 2000
Pol Pot
Cambodian general and politician, 29th Prime Minister of Cambodia
1925 – 1998
Richard Larter
Australian painter
1929 – 2014
Lorraine Hansberry
American playwright and director
1930 – 1965
Elena Poniatowska
Mexican intellectual and journalist
b. 1932 · 94
Michele Placido
Italian actor and director
b. 1946 · 80
Music
The number one songs on May 19
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 19, 1999
Manchester United defeats Bayern Munich 2-1 to complete historic treble
Manchester United scored two injury-time goals at Barcelona's Camp Nou to win the UEFA Champions League final, completing an unprecedented treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League titles in a single season.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 19, 2000
Space Shuttle program: Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-101 to resupply the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-101 to deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day (Greece)
International
The Greek genocide, which included the Pontic genocide, was the systematic killing of the Christian Ottoman Greek population of Anatolia, which was carried out mainly during World War I and its afterm
Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Turkey, Northern Cyprus)
International
The Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day is an annual Turkish national holiday celebrated on 19 May to commemorate Mustafa Kemal's landing at Samsun on 19 May 1919, which is regarded in the
Remembrance Day (Sri Lanka)
International
Remembrance Day, also known as National War Heroes Commemoration Day, is a memorial day observed in Sri Lanka since the end of the Sri Lankan Civil War, which is observed to commemorate the war heroes
Hồ Chí Minh's Birthday (Vietnam)
International
Hồ Chí Minh, colloquially known as Uncle Ho among other aliases and sobriquets, was a Vietnamese revolutionary and statesman who founded the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945
Malcolm X Day (United States of America)
International
Malcolm X Day is an American holiday in honor of Malcolm X that is celebrated on either May 19 or the third Friday of May
National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
International
HIV
❝
If you're going through hell, keep going.
— Winston Churchill · born May 19, 1874