Today in History for 19th May 2026

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Historical Events

1943 - Churchill pledges Britain's full support to US against Japan
1959 - Jan de Quay becomes premier of the Netherlands
1983 - 36th Cannes Film Festival: "Narayama Bushiko" (The Ballad of Narayama ) directed by Japanese director Shohei Imamura wins the Palme d'Or
2007 - In an all South African final the Bulls (Pretoria) edge the home team Sharks, 20-19 in Durban for their first Super 14 Rugby title; Bulls flyhalf Derick Hougaard boots 2 penalties and 2 conversions
2007 - Coen brothers film "No Country for Old Men", based on the Cormac McCarthy novel, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem and Josh Brolin premieres at the Cannes Film Festival (Best Picture 2008)

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Famous Birthdays

1864 - Carl Akeley, American taxidermist and naturalist who developed the animal mount process and other techniques for museums, born in Clarendon, New York (d. 1926)
1929 - John Stroger American politician (Cook County (Illinois) Board of Commissioners, 1970-2006), born in Helena, Arkansas (d. 2008)
1961 - Ronan Hardiman, Irish composer (Michael Flatley soundtracks), born in Dublin, Ireland
1969 - Richard Dumas, NBA forward (Philadelphia 76ers)
1974 - Andrew Johns, Australian rugby league halfback (26 Tests, 23 games NSW; Newcastle RLFC, Warrington; RL "Immortal") and broadcaster (9 Network), born in Cessnock, Australia

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Famous Deaths

1536 - Anne Boleyn, Queen of England (1533-36), second wife of Henry VIII, beheaded at the Tower of London on charges of adultery, incest and treason, at between age 28 to 35
1946 - Booth Tarkington, American novelist (The Magnificent Ambersons) and playwright, dies at 76
1984 - John Betjeman, poet (Mount Zion) and English Poet Laureate (1972-1984), dies at 77
1998 - Dorothy Donegan, American boogie-woogie, swing jazz, and classical pianist, and vocalist, dies of cancer at 76
2016 - Morley Safer, Canadian-American TV newscaster (60 Minutes), dies at 84

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