On This Day in History

June 19

Historical Events

1306 The Earl of Pembroke's army defeats Robert the Bruce's Scottish army at the Battle of Methven.

A blurry photo from the 1880s of early “Bobbies” in their top hats on duty in London

1829 Robert Peel introduces the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 into Parliament to establish a unified police force for London, the city's first modern police force.

1862 Slavery outlawed in US territories.

The declaration issued in Texas informing citizens that all slaves were free as of June 19, 1865

1865 Union General Gordon Granger declares slaves are free in Texas, now the date the end of slavery is celebrated across the US as Juneteenth.

1944 Day one of the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea, US naval forces defeat the Japanese fleet in World War II.

1991 Colombian drug lord Pablo Escobar surrenders to police.

More Historical Events

Famous Birthdays

James I and VI 1566 - 1625 Douglas Haig 1861 - 1928

Lou Gehrig 1903 - 1941 Boris Johnson 60th Birthday

Also Blaise Pascal and Paula Abdul (62).

More Famous Birthdays

Famous Deaths

Ethel Rosenberg 1915 - 1953 Sam Giancana 1908 - 1975

Also Nathanael Greene and Joseph Banks.

More Famous Deaths

'Ship in Distress' Sails Into History Books

What was claimed to be the first trans-Atlantic crossing by a steam ship – even if sails helped – was completed on this day and is still celebrated.

First Steamship to Cross the Atlantic