Also on This Day in History May 19
Discover what happened on May 19 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.
Births on This Day, May 19
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1795
Johns Hopkins
American businessman and philanthropist who founded Johns Hopkins University
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1925
Malcolm X
American minister, human rights activist
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1890
Ho chi Minh
1st President of Vietnam
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1861
Nellie Melba
Australian operatic soprano and face of the Australian 100 dollar note
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1942
Gary Kildall (1942-1994)
American computer scientist and entrepreneur who created the CP/M operating system
Deaths on This Day, May 19
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1898
William Ewart Gladstone
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
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1864
Nathaniel Hawthorne
American author (House of 7 Gables, The Scarlet Letter)
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2002
John Gorton
Australian politician, 19th Prime Minister of Australia (1968-71)
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1994
Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis
American 1st lady (1961-63)
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1907
Benjamin Baker (1840-1907)
English civil engineer who designed the bridge over the Firth of Forth, Scotland and the London underground
1921
The U.S. Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act
The U.S. Congress passed the Emergency Quota Act on May 19, 1921. The act was one of the first major restrictions on immigration in U.S. history and aimed to reduce the influx of immigrants from certain regions.
1802
Napoleon Bonaparte founds the Legion of Honour
The National Order of the Legion of Honour, was established by Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802. It is the highest French order of merit, recognizing both military and civilian achievements.
1986
U.S. President Ronald Reagan signs into law the Firearm Owners Protection Act
The Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA) was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on May 19, 1986. This federal law revised several provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968.
1828
Tariff of Abominations
U.S. President John Quincy Adams signs the Tariff of 1828/Tariff of Abominations into law to protect industry in the North