This Day In History : February 19

1852 United States

The Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity Founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

On February 19, 1852, the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity is founded at Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. This milestone marks the beginning of a significant Greek-letter organization known for its dedication to brotherhood and academic achievement. Phi Kappa Psi would go on to have a lasting impact on Greek life in the United States.

Also on This Day in History February 19

Discover what happened on February 19 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 19
  • 1910 William Grey Walter

    American-British neurologist who linked learning with a particular brain wave as revealed by measurements by electroencephalograph.

  • 1792 Roderick Impey Murchison

    Scottish geologist who first differentiated the Silurian strata in the geologic sequence of Early Paleozoic strata (408-540 million years old).

  • 1798 William Fairbairn

    (1st Baronet) Scottish civil engineer who was first to use wrought iron for ships, bridges, mill shafts, and structural beams.

  • 1473 Nicolaus Copernicus

    Polish astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model of the Solar System in which all the planets orbit around the Sun at the center.

  • 1526 Charles de L'Écluse

    Charles de L'Écluse (aka Carolus Clusius) was a French botanist who introduced the tulip to Holland.

Deaths on This Day, February 19
  • 1916 Ernst Mach

    Austrian physicist and philosopher who established important principles of optics, mechanics, and wave dynamics.

  • 1949 Bailey Willis

    U.S. geologist known for his structural and geomorphological analysis of the Appalachian Mountains and Mount Ranier.

  • 2013 Robert C Richardson

    He was an American physicist who (with Douglas Osheroff and David Lee) was awarded the 1996 Nobel Prize for Physics for their discovery of superfluidity in the isotope helium-3.

  • 2003 James Daniel Hard

    He was an American surgeon who headed teams that performed the first human lung transplant in 1963.

  • 1962 George N. Papanicolaou

    George Nicholas Papanicolaou was a Greek-American cytologist and pathologist who devised the test now known as the 'Pap smear'.

1977

New deep-ocean life

In 1977, deep-ocean researchers found an extraordinary oasis of extremophile life. John B. Corliss and John M. Elmond used the research submersible Alvin, to descend to the Pacific Ocean floor off the Galapagos Islands.
1992

Peter Collins Discovers Nova Cygni 1992

On February 19, 1992, American amateur astronomer Peter Collins discovers Nova Cygni 1992 from Boulder, Colorado. This discovery brings significant attention to the field of amateur astronomy and adds valuable data to the study of stellar phenomena. The nova's observation enhances our understanding of these cosmic events.
1987

First Anti-Smoking Ad Airs Featuring Yul Brynner

On February 19, 1987, the first anti-smoking advertisement airs on television featuring actor Yul Brynner. The ad aims to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking and was notable for Brynner's personal message about his battle with lung cancer. This campaign marks a significant moment in public health advocacy.
1922

Ed Wynn Becomes First Radio Entertainer

On February 19, 1922, Ed Wynn becomes the first talent to sign a contract as a radio entertainer. This historic event highlights the growing prominence of radio as an entertainment medium. Wynn's signing marks the beginning of a new era in broadcasting.
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