This Day In History : June 19

1961 Kuwait

Kuwait declares independence from the United Kingdom

Kuwait acquired independence from the United Kingdom in 1961. On June 19, 1961, Kuwait became fully independent following an exchange of notes with the United Kingdom that terminated the Anglo-Kuwaiti Treaty of 1899 and therefore provided for Kuwaiti independence.

Also on This Day in History June 19

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

Births on This Day, June 19
  • 1623 Blaise Pascal

    French mathematician and physicist who invented an early calculator

  • 1922 Aage Neals Bohr

    Danish physicist who researched the atomic nucleu (Nobel Prize, 1975)

  • 1764 Jose Gervasio Artigas

    Uruguayan revolutionary leader and national hero who is regarded as the father of Uruguayan independence

  • 1906 Ernst Chain

    German-British chemist and bacteriologist (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, 1945 - for his work on penicillin)

  • 1914 Karl H. Beyer Jr.

    American pharmacologist (discovered 1st drugs for hypertension and gout)

Deaths on This Day, June 19
  • 1857 Alexander Twilight

    American politician and minister, first African American to graduate and hold political office

  • 2013 Glyn England

    British electrical engineer and CEO (CEGB, Windcluster Ltd)

  • 1956 Thomas J. Watson

    American businessman (Chairman and CEO of IBM, 1914-56)

  • 1965 James Collip

    Canadian biochemist and physiologist (insulin)

  • 1939 Grace Abbott

    American social worker (US Children's Bureau)

1939

American Library Association adopts Library Bill of Rights

The Library Bill of Rights is a significant statement by the American Library Association (ALA) that outlines the rights of library users and the responsibilities of libraries. It was first adopted by the ALA Council on June 19, 1939, during the Annual Conference in San Francisco.
1829

Metropolitan Police Act 1829

Robert Peel introduces the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 into Parliament to establish a unified police force for London, the city's 1st modern police force
1910

Father's Day celebrated for 1st time (Spokane, Washington)

Father's Day was celebrated for the first time in Spokane, Washington, on June 19, 1910. This celebration was inspired by Sonora Smart Dodd, who wanted to honor her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and single parent who raised six children.
1934

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was established on June 19, 1934. It replaced the outdated Federal Radio Commission and has since played a crucial role in regulating interstate and foreign communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in the United States.
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