What Happened on October 19?
October 19 is National Seafood Bisque Day — celebrating creamy seafood soup — on the same date Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in 1781, Napoleon left Moscow in 1812, and markets crashed on Black Monday in 1987.
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1469 — Ferdinand of Aragon marries Isabella of Castile
On October 19, 1469, Ferdinand of Aragon married Isabella of Castile — a union that helped forge modern Spain. Read the full story →
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1781 — British forces surrender at Yorktown, ending major Revolutionary War fighting
On October 19, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis's army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia — effectively ending major combat in the American Revolution. Read the full story →
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1812 — Napoleon's army begins its retreat from Moscow
On October 19, 1812, Napoleon Bonaparte's Grande Armée began withdrawing from burned, emptied Moscow — starting a catastrophic retreat. Read the full story →
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1950 — Chinese forces begin entering the Korean War
In mid-to-late October 1950, Chinese People's Volunteer Army units crossed into Korea — transforming the Korean War after UN forces neared the Yalu River. Read the full story →
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1987 — Black Monday: global stock markets crash
On October 19, 1987 — Black Monday — stock markets around the world plunged, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average falling more than 22% in one day. Read the full story →
Famous birthdays
John le Carré (1931–2020) · Evander Holyfield (1962) · Trey Parker (1969) · Peter Tosh (1944–1987)
Days & observances
National Seafood Bisque Day · Evaluate Your Life Day · National Rain on Your Parade Day · Yorktown Day