Discover the Historical Events and Famous People Born on September 19

September 19 is a day full of important events in history. It’s also the birthday of some very famous people. In this article, we’ll learn about five big events that happened on this day and five well-known people born on September 19. These events and people have helped shape our world in different ways. Let’s explore what makes September 19 special in history!

Historical Events on September 19

1. The Battle of Poitiers, 1356

The Battle of Poitiers was a big fight during the Hundred Years’ War. This war was between England and France and lasted for a very long time – about 116 years! On September 19, 1356, English soldiers led by Edward the Black Prince fought against French soldiers.

Edward the Black Prince was the son of the English king. He was a skilled fighter and leader. The French army was led by their king, John II. Even though the French had more soldiers, the English won the battle. They even captured King John II!

This battle was very important. It showed that a smaller army could beat a bigger one if they had good planning and skill. The capture of the French king was also a big deal. It made France pay a lot of money to get him back, which helped England in the war.

2. Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand, 1893

On September 19, 1893, New Zealand did something no other country had done before. They gave all women the right to vote. This right is called suffrage. Before this, in most places around the world, only men could vote.

New Zealand was ahead of its time in women’s rights. Many brave women and some men worked hard to make this happen. They talked to politicians, wrote letters, and held meetings to convince people that women should have the right to vote.

This event was very important not just for New Zealand, but for the whole world. It showed other countries that women could and should have the same voting rights as men. After New Zealand, other countries started to give women the right to vote too.

3. Witold Pilecki’s Voluntary Capture, 1940

Witold Pilecki was a very brave Polish soldier. On September 19, 1940, during World War II, he did something incredible. He let himself be captured by Nazi soldiers on purpose! This was part of a secret plan.

Pilecki wanted to find out what was happening inside Auschwitz, a terrible Nazi concentration camp. He planned to tell the world about the bad things happening there and start a resistance group inside the camp.

Pilecki’s actions were very brave and important. He stayed in Auschwitz for almost three years, sending out secret reports. These reports helped the world learn about the horrible things the Nazis were doing. Pilecki’s bravery saved many lives and helped us understand this dark part of history.

4. Charlie Chaplin Barred from the US, 1952

Charlie Chaplin was a famous actor and filmmaker. He made many funny silent movies that people still watch today. But on September 19, 1952, something not funny happened to him. The United States government said he couldn’t come back into the country after a trip to England.

Chaplin had lived in the US for a long time, but he wasn’t an American citizen. Some people in the government thought he had communist ideas, which they didn’t like. This was during a time called the Red Scare when many people were afraid of communism.

This decision changed Chaplin’s life. He had to live in Switzerland instead of going back to Hollywood. It also showed how fear could make a country treat even famous people unfairly.

5. Ascension of Carl XVI Gustaf, 1973

On September 19, 1973, Carl XVI Gustaf became the King of Sweden. He took over from his grandfather, King Gustaf VI Adolf. Carl XVI Gustaf was only 27 years old when he became king.

Sweden has had kings and queens for a very long time. But Carl XVI Gustaf’s job as king is different from kings in the past. In Sweden today, the king is the head of state, but he doesn’t make laws or run the government. Instead, he represents Sweden in official events and supports Swedish culture and history.

Carl XVI Gustaf has been king for a long time now. He has seen many changes in Sweden and has helped keep Swedish traditions alive while also supporting modern ideas.

Famous Birthdays on September 19

1. Henry III of France (1551-1589)

Henry III was born on September 19, 1551. He became the King of France in 1574 and ruled until 1589. Before that, he was also the King of Poland for a short time.

Henry III lived during a difficult time in France. There were many fights between Catholics and Protestants. He tried to keep peace, but it was very hard. Sadly, he was killed by a monk in 1589.

Even though his time as king was tough, Henry III is remembered for his love of art and culture. He helped make the French court very fancy and started some traditions that lasted for a long time.

Biography Table for Henry III of France:

2. Lewis F. Powell Jr. (1907-1998)

Lewis F. Powell Jr. was born on September 19, 1907. He became a very important judge in the United States. In 1972, he joined the Supreme Court, which is the highest court in America.

Before becoming a judge, Powell was a lawyer. He worked on many important cases about civil rights and education. As a Supreme Court justice, he often tried to find middle ground between different ideas.

Powell’s decisions helped shape many laws in the United States. He retired from the Supreme Court in 1987 but continued to be respected for his fair and thoughtful judgments.

Biography Table for Lewis F. Powell Jr.:

3. Emil Zátopek (1922-2000)

Emil Zátopek was born on September 19, 1922. He was a famous runner from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). Zátopek won four Olympic gold medals for running long distances.

What made Zátopek special was how he trained and ran. He had a unique style that looked painful but was very fast. He would grunt and make faces while running, which earned him the nickname “Czech Locomotive”.

Zátopek’s biggest achievement came in the 1952 Olympics. He won gold medals in the 5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and the marathon. This was amazing because no one had ever won all three of these races in one Olympics before.

Biography Table for Emil Zátopek:

4. Brian Epstein (1934-1967)

Brian Epstein was born on September 19, 1934. He became famous as the manager of The Beatles, one of the most popular music groups ever.

Epstein first met The Beatles in 1961 when they were playing in a small club. He liked their music and decided to help make them famous. He changed how they dressed and acted on stage, which helped them become more popular.

As The Beatles’ manager, Epstein worked very hard to get them good deals and make sure people heard their music. Many people say The Beatles might not have become so famous without his help. Sadly, Epstein died very young in 1967.

Biography Table for Brian Epstein:

5. Jeremy Irons (1948-present)

Jeremy Irons was born on September 19, 1948. He is a famous English actor known for his deep voice and serious acting roles.

Irons started acting in theaters in England. He then moved to TV and movies. One of his most famous roles was in a movie called “Reversal of Fortune”, where he won an Oscar for Best Actor.

Many people also know Irons’ voice. He was the voice of Scar in the Disney movie “The Lion King”. He continues to act in movies, TV shows, and theater plays today.

Biography Table for Jeremy Irons:

Takeaway

September 19 is a day filled with important events and famous birthdays. From big battles to steps forward in women’s rights, and from brave resistance fighters to kings and movie stars, this day has seen it all. The events we learned about show how things can change over time. The people born on this day have left their mark on history, politics, sports, music, and movies. By looking at these events and people, we can learn a lot about our past and how it shapes our present.

References:

1. “The Hundred Years War: The English in France 1337-1453” by Desmond Seward
2. “Women’s Suffrage in New Zealand” by Patricia Grimshaw
3. “The Volunteer: One Man, an Underground Army, and the Secret Mission to Destroy Auschwitz” by Jack Fairweather
4. “Charlie Chaplin: A Political Biography from Victorian Britain to Modern America” by Richard Carr
5. “The Swedish Monarchy” official website
6. “Henry III, King of France” by Robert J. Knecht
7. “Justice Lewis F. Powell: A Biography” by John C. Jeffries Jr.
8. “Emil Zátopek: Olympic Secrets” by Richard Askwith
9. “The Man Who Made the Beatles: An Intimate Biography of Brian Epstein” by Ray Coleman
10. “Jeremy Irons: A Biography” by Mark Nicholls