Today in History for 19th September 2026

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Historical Events

1870 - Siege of Paris by Prussian forces begins (lasts until January 28, 1871)
1893 - New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all women the right to vote
1912 - Pius X encyclical Singular quadam, against interconfess unions
1981 - Simon and Garfunkel reunite for a concert in Central Park, NYC,
2022 - Banks in Lebanon close for three days after a series of hold-ups by people trying to obtain their own money, frozen amid the country's economic crisis

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Famous Birthdays

1770 - Johann Georg Repsold, German scientific instrument maker, astronomer, and fireman, born in Wremen, Duchy of Bremen, Holy Roman Empire (now Germany) (d. 1830)
1910 - Arthur Mullard, English actor, comedian and singer (Romany Jones), born in London (d. 1995)
1913 - Helen Ward [Wiltschek], American jazz singer (Benny Goodman Orchestra, 1934-36; Bob Crosby; Harry James), born in New York City (d. 1998)
1959 - Marshall Jefferson, American musician 'father of house music' (Move your Body), born in Chicago, Illinois
1998 - Trae Young, American NBA player (Atlanta Hawks), born in Lubbock, Texas

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Famous Deaths

1736 - Feofan Prokopovich, Russian Orthodox theologian and Archbishop of Novgorod, dies at 55
1930 - Hendrik Zwaardemaker, Dutch physiologist (invented the olfactometer), dies at 73
1952 - Giuseppe Zoppi, Swiss writer (Presento il mio Ticino), dies at 56
1986 - Vivian Duncan, American vaudevillian (Duncan Sisters), actress (Topsy and Eva), dies of complications from Alzheimer's disease at 89
2023 - Buddy Teevens, American college football coach (Dartmouth College 1987-91, 2005-23; Uni of Maine, Tulane Uni, Stanford University), dies from injuries sustained in road accident at 66

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