On this day: October 19
October 19, 1781: Surrender of British Forces at Yorktown
On this day in 1781, the British forces under General Charles Cornwallis surrendered to the American and French forces led by General George Washington at Yorktown, Virginia. This marked a significant turning point in the American Revolutionary War, as it effectively ended British control over the colonies and paved the way for American independence.
October 19, 1812: Napoleon Retreats from Moscow
On October 19, 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte began his disastrous retreat from Moscow after his failed invasion of Russia. The retreat would ultimately lead to the defeat of the French army and the downfall of Napoleon’s empire.
October 19, 1987: Black Monday Stock Market Crash
On October 19, 1987, the stock market experienced a sudden and severe crash known as “Black Monday.” The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by over 22%, marking the largest single-day percentage decline in history. The crash sent shockwaves through the global financial markets and led to widespread panic among investors.
October 19, 2005: Saddam Hussein’s Trial Begins
On this day in 2005, the trial of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein began in Baghdad. Hussein faced charges of crimes against humanity, including the killing of thousands of Kurds during his regime. The trial would ultimately result in Hussein being sentenced to death and executed in 2006.
October 19, 2017: Puerto Rico Declares Bankruptcy
On October 19, 2017, the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico declared bankruptcy, becoming the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history. The island had accumulated over $70 billion in debt and was unable to meet its financial obligations. The bankruptcy declaration was seen as a major blow to Puerto Rico’s economy and led to widespread austerity measures.
October 19, 2020: NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Touches Asteroid Bennu
On October 19, 2020, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft successfully touched down on the surface of the asteroid Bennu in order to collect samples. The mission was a historic achievement in space exploration, as it marked the first time a spacecraft had successfully retrieved samples from an asteroid and returned them to Earth for study.
