Henry II of England is crowned as king on December 19, 1154 at Westminster Abbey, following the death of Stephen. His coronation marked the beginning the Angevin Empire.
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On This Day in History: December 19
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on December 19th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Benjamin Franklin publishes his Poor Richard's Almanack, a periodical, containing affordable information, humor, ideas, advice and the proverbial wisdom, etc. for the populace. More
Charles Dickens' classic novella "A Christmas Carol" is first published in London by Chapman & Hall and sold out by Christmas Eve.
It was first published in America in 1844 by Carey & Hart in Philadelphia. Charles Dickens' beloved ghost story. was inspired by Dickens' childhood and his desire to address social issues. It continues to be a robust seller more than 180 years later. More
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) terrorizes the University of Dayton, a Catholic Institution, by exploding 12 bombs throughout the campus and setting on fire an 8-foot cross.
Several hundred Klansmen were routed by hundreds of neighborhood residents who joined students in chasing them off. The growing Catholic presence in Dayton during the 1920s drew the hostility of the Ku Klux Klan. More about the attack - More about the KKK
Portuguese Governor General surrenders to the Indian Forces the territories of Goa, Daman, and Diu on December 19, 1961, bringing to an end 451 years of Portuguese colonial rule in the region. The three territories became a Union Territory of India, becoming a full state later. More
Twenty months after the Berlin Wall went up, more than 700,000 West Berliners take advantage of a long-awaited chance to see their loved ones on the other side of the Wall.
The agreement signed two days earlier on December, 17 allowed West Berliners to visit their relatives in the other part of the city over Christmas. An estimated 1.2 million cross over to the East between 19 December and 5 January. More
Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher and Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang sign an agreement committing Britain to return Hong Kong to China in 1997 after 155 years of British rule, in return for terms guaranteeing a 50-year extension of its capitalist system.
At midnight on July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was peaceably handed over to China in a ceremony attended by numerous international dignitaries. More
The U.S. House of Representatives impeaches President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice.
The assassination of Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, in Ankara.
The United States House of Representatives impeaches President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.