Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on July 19

History is like a big story book. Each date in the calendar has its own special tales. July 19 is one such date with many interesting stories. On this day, important things happened and some famous people were born. Let’s explore the events and people that make July 19 a special day in history.

II. Historical Events of July 19

A. Mansa Musa Arrives in Cairo (1324)

Long ago, in 1324, something amazing happened in Cairo, Egypt. A very rich and powerful king named Mansa Musa came to visit. He was the ruler of the Mali Empire in Africa.

Mansa Musa was on his way to Mecca for a religious trip. But this wasn’t just any ordinary trip. He brought with him:

• 600,000 men
• 12,000 slaves
• 80 camels

Each camel carried 300 pounds of gold! That’s a lot of gold – more than most people had ever seen.

Mansa Musa’s visit was a big deal. He gave away so much gold that it changed Cairo’s economy. The price of gold went down because there was suddenly so much of it. This made other things more expensive.

People in Cairo were amazed by Mansa Musa. They had never seen anyone so rich before. His visit showed how wealthy and important the Mali Empire was. It helped people in Egypt learn more about Africa.

Mansa Musa’s trip to Cairo is still remembered today. It shows how one person’s actions can affect a whole city, even hundreds of years ago.

B. Sinking of the Mary Rose (1545)

On July 19, 1545, a sad event happened in England. The Mary Rose, a big warship belonging to King Henry VIII, sank near Portsmouth. 73 people died when the ship went down.

The Mary Rose was special because:

• It was one of the first ships that could fire guns from its side.
• It had been in the English navy for 33 years.
• It was one of King Henry’s favorite ships.

No one knows exactly why the Mary Rose sank. Some think it was too heavy on one side. Others say it might have been hit by a French cannon.

The sinking of the Mary Rose was a big loss for England. But today, it helps us learn about life in the 1500s. In 1982, the ship was brought up from the bottom of the sea. Now, people can see it in a museum and learn about old ships and sailors.

C. Lady Jane Grey Deposed (1553)

On this day in 1553, a young queen lost her crown. Lady Jane Grey was only queen for 9 days before she was removed from power.

Lady Jane Grey became queen because:

• King Edward VI, who had no children, chose her as the next ruler.
• She was Edward’s cousin and a Protestant, like him.

But many people thought Mary Tudor, King Henry VIII‘s daughter, should be queen instead. Mary had more supporters and a stronger claim to the throne.

After just 9 days as queen, Lady Jane Grey was removed from power. She was only 15 years old. Mary became the new queen of England.

This event shows how tricky it was to decide who should rule in those days. It also shows how young people could be pulled into adult problems.

D. Albert Frederick becomes Duke of Prussia (1569)

On July 19, 1569, Albert Frederick became the new Duke of Prussia. This happened after his father died.

To become duke, Albert Frederick had to do a special ceremony. He had to promise to be loyal to the King of Poland, Sigismund Augustus. This was because Prussia was under Polish control at that time.

Albert Frederick’s rule as Duke of Prussia was not very successful. He had mental health problems that made it hard for him to govern. But this event is still important in the history of Prussia, which later became part of Germany.

III. Famous Birthdays on July 19

A. Samuel Colt (1814-1862)

Samuel Colt was born on July 19, 1814, in Hartford, Connecticut. He became famous for inventing a new kind of gun called the Colt revolver.

Here’s a short bio of Samuel Colt:

Colt got the idea for his revolver when he was young, watching the wheel of a ship. He made a gun that could fire multiple times without reloading. This was a big change from older guns.

Colt’s invention changed warfare and the American West. His company became very successful, making Colt a rich man. Today, the Colt name is still famous in the gun industry.

B. Edgar Degas (1834-1917)

Edgar Degas was born on July 19, 1834, in Paris, France. He became a famous artist, known for his paintings and sculptures.

Here’s a short bio of Edgar Degas:

Degas was part of a group of artists called the Impressionists. But his style was a bit different. He liked to paint people, especially dancers and everyday scenes.

One of Degas’ most famous paintings is “The Dance Class.” It shows ballet dancers practicing. He was very good at showing movement and light in his art.

Degas also made sculptures. His most famous is “Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.” It caused a stir when it was first shown because it looked so real.

Today, Degas is remembered as one of the great artists of his time. His work helps us see what life was like in Paris in the late 1800s.

C. Edward Charles Pickering (1846-1919)

Edward Charles Pickering was born on July 19, 1846, in Boston. He became an important scientist who studied the stars.

Here’s a short bio of Edward Charles Pickering:

Pickering was a pioneer in studying starlight. He used a tool called a spectroscope to learn about stars. This helped scientists understand what stars are made of and how hot they are.

At Harvard, Pickering hired many women as “computers” to help study the stars. This was unusual at the time and gave women a chance to work in science.

Pickering’s work helped make American astronomy some of the best in the world. He discovered many new stars and helped create star catalogs that are still used today.

D. Lizzie Borden (1860-1927)

Lizzie Borden was born on July 19, 1860, in Fall River, Massachusetts. She became famous because of a terrible event in her family.

Here’s a short bio of Lizzie Borden:

In 1892, Lizzie’s father and stepmother were killed with an axe in their home. Lizzie was accused of the murders. The case became very famous.

After a trial, Lizzie was found not guilty. But many people still thought she did it. The case was so famous that people made up a rhyme about it:

“Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks. When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one.”

Even though Lizzie was free, the mystery of who killed her parents was never solved. The case is still talked about today.

E. Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893-1930)

Vladimir Mayakovsky was born on July 19, 1893, in Baghdati, which was then part of the Russian Empire. He became a famous poet and playwright.

Here’s a short bio of Vladimir Mayakovsky:

Mayakovsky was part of a group called the Futurists. They wanted to create new, modern forms of art. His poems were often loud and bold, like his personality.

After the Russian Revolution in 1917, Mayakovsky wrote many poems supporting the new Soviet government. He also wrote plays and made posters.

Mayakovsky’s work was very influential in Russian literature. He helped shape the culture of the early Soviet Union. Today, he is still considered one of Russia’s greatest poets.

Takeaway

July 19 is a day filled with important events and birthdays. From Mansa Musa’s grand arrival in Cairo to the tragic sinking of the Mary Rose, this date has seen moments that changed history. It’s also the birthday of people who made big impacts in their fields, like Samuel Colt in gun-making and Edgar Degas in art.

These stories show us how one day can connect people and events from different times and places. They remind us that history is full of interesting tales waiting to be discovered. By learning about days like July 19, we can better understand the world we live in today.

References:

1. Levtzion, N. (1973). Ancient Ghana and Mali. Methuen & Co Ltd.
2. Marsden, P. (2003). Sealed by Time: The Loss and Recovery of the Mary Rose. The Mary Rose Trust.
3. Ives, E. (2009). Lady Jane Grey: A Tudor Mystery. Wiley-Blackwell.
4. Hosley, W. (1996). Colt: The Making of an American Legend. University of Massachusetts Press.
5. Armstrong, C. (1991). Odd Man Out: A Biography of Edgar Degas. University of Chicago Press.
6. Jones, B. Z., & Boyd, L. G. (1971). The Harvard College Observatory: The First Four Directorships, 1839-1919. Belknap Press.
7. Kent, D., & Flynn, R. (1992). The Lizzie Borden Sourcebook. Branden Books.
8. Brown, E. J. (1973). Mayakovsky: A Poet in the Revolution. Princeton University Press.