December 19

Wednesday 19, 2001:

The Argentine economic crisis burst into street riots after the announcement by the economy minister of the measures of holding back the bank deposits.

Tuesday 19, 2000:

The Leninist Guerrilla Units attack a party office of the far-right MHP in Istanbul, Turkey. One MHP member is killed and several wounded.

Saturday 19, 1998:

The U.S. House of Representatives passes articles of impeachment against President Bill Clinton over the Lewinsky scandal.

Friday 19, 1997:

Titanic (the highest-grossing movie ever as of 2005) opens in U.S. theaters.

Wednesday 19, 1984:

The United Kingdom and People's Republic of China sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which handed Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997.

Friday 19, 1980:

Anguilla is made a dependency of the United Kingdom separate from Saint Kitts and Nevis

Tuesday 19, 1978:

John Wayne Gacy is arrested for the killings of 33 boys and young men

Thursday 19, 1974:

The Altair 8800, the first personal computer, goes on sale

Tuesday 19, 1972:

Apollo 17, the last manned lunar flight, returns to Earth.

Sunday 19, 1965:

Prisoners Ronald Ryan and Peter Walker escape from Pentridge Prison, Melbourne. During the escape a guard is killed. Ryan would hang for his death, in 1967.

Thursday 19, 1963:

Zanzibar received its independence from the United Kingdom to become a constitutional monarchy under the sultan.

Wednesday 19, 1962:

Nyasaland secedes from Rhodesia and Nyasaland

Tuesday 19, 1961:

The Indian Army invades the Portuguese province of Estado da India Portuguesa (Portuguese State of India) which will become part of India.

Thursday 19, 1946:

Ho Chi Minh attacks French in Hanoi

Wednesday 19, 1945:

Austria becomes a republic for the second time, the first having been founded in 1918 and interrupted by the Austro-fascist dictatorship from 1934 onwards and the Nazi invasion of Austria in 1938.

Wednesday 19, 1928:

First autogiro flight in the United States

Tuesday 19, 1916:

The Battle of Verdun ended.

Thursday 19, 1912:

William H. Van Schaick, captain of the steamship General Slocum which killed over 1,000 people was pardoned by President Taft after 3 1/2 years in Sing Sing prison .

Monday 19, 1842:

United States recognizes the independence of Hawaii

Saturday 19, 1835:

Toledo Blade newspaper begins publishing.

Friday 19, 1828:

John C. Calhoun pens South Carolina Exposition and Protest, protesting the Tariff of 1828.

Friday 19, 1777:

George Washington's army goes into winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Friday 19, 1732:

Benjamin Franklin publishes Poor Richard's Almanack

Saturday 19, 1187:

Pope Clement III elected

Friday 19, 324:

Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor.

More on December, 19

• People Born on December, 19
• They left us on December, 19