What Happened on May 19?

May 19 is National Devil's Food Cake Day — and the date Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536, the first electric fire engine rolled out in 1897, and the U.S. Senate began televising its sessions in 1986.

• 1536 — Queen Anne Boleyn is executed in the Tower of London

  Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn was beheaded on May 19, 1536, after a rapid trial on charges of treason — a dramatic turn in Tudor England's power struggles. Read the full story →

• 1780 — New England's 'Dark Day' turns noon sky nearly black

  On May 19, 1780, thick smoke and fog plunged New England into darkness at midday — frightening residents who lacked weather science to explain it. Read the full story →

• 1897 — The first electric fire engine enters service in London

  London's fire brigade tested an electric-powered fire engine on May 19, 1897 — an early experiment in replacing horse-drawn pumps with battery motors. Read the full story →

• 1921 — Congress passes the Emergency Quota Act restricting immigration

  The Emergency Quota Act, signed May 19, 1921, capped immigration from Europe using nationality-based limits — the first broad U.S. restriction law of the twentieth century. Read the full story →

• 1962 — Marilyn Monroe sings Happy Birthday to President Kennedy at Madison Square Garden

  At a fundraising gala on May 19, 1962, Marilyn Monroe performed a breathy 'Happy Birthday, Mr. President' for John F. Kennedy — a moment that became pop-culture legend. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Malcolm X (1925–1965) · Nellie Bly (1864–1922) · André the Giant (1946–1993) · Sam Smith (1992)

Days & observances

National Devil's Food Cake Day · National Celebrating Senior Citizens Day · World IBD Day · National Nail Polish Day