August 19

This Day in History

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Lead Story
First race is held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1909
American Revolution
Americans raid Paulus Hook, New Jersey, 1779
Automotive
Louis Schwitzer wins first race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1909
Civil War
Dakota Indians bypass Fort Ridgely, 1862
Cold War
CIA-assisted coup overthrows government of Iran, 1953
Crime
A Jewish youth is killed by a mob, 1991
"West Memphis Three" released from prison after 18 years, 2011
Disaster
Fire on Saudi jet kills 301, 1980
General Interest
Old Ironsides earns its name, 1812
Allies raid Dieppe, 1942
Captured U.S. spy pilot sentenced in Russia, 1960
Hollywood
Basinger and Baldwin marry, 1993
Literary
Joseph Conrad becomes a British citizen, 1886
Music
The Beatles kick off first U.S. tour at San Francisco's Cow Palace, 1964
Old West
John Wesley Hardin killed in Texas, 1895
Presidential
Bill Clinton born, 1946
Sports
Little person makes big league debut, 1951
Vietnam War
Many Americans against a bombing halt, 1968
Cambodia and U.S. sign military aid pact, 1970
Democratic candidate McGovern attacks Nixon policy in Vietnam, 1972
World War I
President Wilson appears before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee , 1919
World War II
Adolf Hitler becomes president of Germany, 1934

General Interest

Aug 19, 1942:

Allies raid Dieppe

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During World War II, an Allied force of 7,000 men carry out a large daytime raid against German positions at the French seaport of Dieppe. Aided by tanks and aircraft, the commando force--made up of approximately 5,000 Canadians, 2,000 British soldiers, and a handful of American and Free French troops--gained a foothold on the beach in the face of a furious German defense. During nine hours of fighting, the Allies failed to destroy more than a handful of their targets and suffered the death of 3,600 men. More than 100 aircraft, a destroyer, 33 landing craft, and 30 tanks were also lost. Despite its high costs, the Dieppe raid provided valuable logistical information later used in planning the successful 1944 Allied landing at Normandy.

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This Week in History, Aug 19 - Aug 25

Aug 19, 1812
Old Ironsides earns its name
Aug 19, 1942
Allies raid Dieppe
Aug 19, 1960
Captured U.S. spy pilot sentenced in Russia
Aug 20, 1940
Trotsky assassinated in Mexico
Aug 20, 1968
Soviets Invade Czechoslovakia
Aug 20, 1975
Viking 1 launched to Mars
Aug 20, 1982
U.S. Marines deployed to Lebanon
Aug 21, 1831
Slave revolt erupts in Virginia
Aug 21, 1858
Lincoln-Douglas debates begin
Aug 21, 1961
Kenyatta freed
Aug 22, 1485
Battle of Bosworth Field
Aug 22, 1851
U.S. wins first America's Cup
Aug 22, 1864
International Red Cross founded
Aug 22, 1922
Michael Collins assassinated
Aug 22, 1992
Incident at Ruby Ridge
Aug 23, 1926
Valentino dies
Aug 23, 1927
Sacco and Vanzetti executed
Aug 24, 1572
Saint Bartholomew's Day Massacre
Aug 24, 1814
British capture and burn Washington
Aug 24, 1821
Spain accepts Mexican independence
Aug 25, 325
Council of Nicaea concludes
Aug 25, 1875
Englishman swims the Channel
Aug 25, 1944
Paris liberated
Aug 25, 2009
Ted Kennedy, "liberal lion of the Senate," dies at 77

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