What Happened On This Day – October 19
2005 Trial of Saddam Hussein Begins
The Iraqi Special Tribunal started the trial of deposed President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, and 7 other defendants for crimes against humanity. Hussein, who was the fifth President of Iraq was found guilty and was executed by hanging a year later on December 30, 2006.
1954 Cho Oyu Scaled for the First Time in Recorded History
The 6th highest mountain peak in the world, Cho Oyu is part of the Himalayan mountain range and lies on the Nepal-China border. It was scaled by Nepalese Pasang Dawa Lama and Austrians Joseph Jöchler and Herbert Tichy.
1950 Battle of Chamdo (Qamdo) Ends
Also known as the Liberation of Tibet in China, the war between China and Tibet began on October 6, when Chinese military forces under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping entered the country from Sichuan. At the end of the battle, the Chinese had taken over the border city of Chamdo. The battle was the starting point for negotiations between the two countries over the status of Tibet.
1943 Streptomycin is Discovered
The miracle antibiotic that became the first line of offense against tuberculosis in the mid 20th century was isolated for the first time by graduate student Albert Schatz while working under Selman Abraham Waksman at Rutgers University. Schatz later sued Waksman to gain a portion of the profits and notoriety which came from the discovery. Waksman eventually received the Nobel Prize for the achievement. However, there was controversy as the award went to Waksman only.
1914 First Battle of Ypres
Part of the Battle of Flanders during the First World War, the First Battle of Ypres was fought in the Belgian city of Ypres. It was fought between German forces on one side and the Belgian, French and British troops on the other. Fighting continued until November 22, when harsh weather forced the two sides to take a break from the hostilities.
Births On This Day – October 19
1962 Evander Holyfield
American boxer
1958 Michael Steele
American politician, 7th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland
1946 Philip Pullman
English author
1945 John Lithgow
American actor
1944 Peter Tosh
Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist
Deaths On This Day – October 19
1893 Lucy Stone
American activist
1813 Józef Poniatowski
Polish general
1745 Jonathan Swift
Irish author
1682 Thomas Browne
English author
1216 John, King of England