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 →
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2005 — Saddam Hussein's trial begins in Baghdad
On October 19, 2005, the trial of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein opened in Baghdad on charges related to crimes against civilians. 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