On This Day - June 19, 2026

National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for June 19, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.

2026

National Days on June 19, 2026

Ongoing National Weeks

These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.

Ongoing National Months

These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.

Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for June.

Historical Events on June 19

Events that occurred on June 19 throughout history

1862

President Lincoln signs the Territorial Slavery Act of 1862, prohibiting slavery in all past and present U.S. territories.

1865

Two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, slaves in Texas are officially informed of their freedom. The anniversary officially became known as Juneteenth.

1910

Spokane, WA, celebrates the nation's first Father's Day.

1926

DeFord Bailey becomes the first Black to to perform on the Grand Ole Opry. Known as the "Harmonica Wizard," Bailey was a pioneering old-time and blues musician.

1934

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs The Communication Act of 1934, establishing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Act combined and organized federal regulation of telephone, telegraph, and radio communications. It to oversee these industries.

1943

The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers merge for one season due to player shortages during by World War II.

Born on June 19

People born on June 19

Ann Wilson

Lead singer of the rock band Heart.

Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig

MLB player nicknamed the "Iron Horse". He is considered to be one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

Wallis Simpson

Socialite who married Prince Edward (formerly King Edward VIII). Her status as a divorcée caused a constitutional crisis that led to Edward's abdication.

Erna Schneider Hoover

Inventor of a computerized telephone switching method that enabled better service during peak calling times.

Sam Walter Foss

Poet and author of The Coming American and The House by the Side of the Road.

Dennis Crowley

Founder Dodgeball and Foursquare (social networking sites).

Karl H. Beyer Jr.

Pharmacologist who discovered the first drugs for hypertension and gout.

Gladys Mills Phipps

Thoroughbred racehorse owner and breeder who was known as the "First Lady of the Turf".

William H. Webb

American shipbuilder who founded the In 1894 he built the Webb Academy and Home for Shipbuilders (now the Webb Institute).

Pat Buttram

Actor fondly remembered as the sidekick of Gene Autry and for his role as Mr. Haney in Green Acres.

Neil Asher Silberman

Archaeologist and historian with a special interest in biblical archaeology. He is the author of several books, including The Hidden Scrolls, David and Solomon: In Search of the Bible's Sacred Kings and the Roots of the Western Tradition, and The Archaeology of Israel.

Paula Abdul

Singer of the hit songs Straight Up and Opposites Attract.