July 19
Subject to Britannica's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
1545: The sinking of the Mary Rose
On this day in 1545 Henry VIIIâs flagship, the Mary Rose, sank during the Battle of the Solent after a gust of wind caused seawater to pour through its open gunports. More than 400 crew members died. Rediscovered in the English Channel centuries later, the remarkably preserved wreck became one of the worldâs most important underwater archaeological discoveries.
READ MORE
© ZU_09âDigitalVision Vectors/Getty Images; Photo Illustration EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
Featured Event
Rare Book And Special Collections Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (rbcmil.scrp4006701)
On this day in 1848, the womenâs suffrage movement in the United States was launched with the opening of the Seneca Falls Convention, which sought to gain certain rights and privileges for women, notably the right to vote. [Take our quiz about the Nineteenth Amendment and womenâs suffrage.]
Featured Biography
Featured Biography
Christophel Fine ArtâUniversal Images Group/Getty Images
Edgar Degasâa French painter and sculptor who was prominent in the Impressionist group and widely celebrated for his images of the female figure, especially ballet dancers and bathersâwas born this day in 1834. [Explore the radicalism of Impressionism.]
Famous Birthdays
More on July 19
© National Broadcasting Company
2014
American actor James Garner, who was perhaps best known for his roles in the television series Maverick and The Rockford Files, died at age 86. [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about A-list actors.]
© AMC
2007
The first episode of Mad Men aired, and the series, which starred Jon Hamm, quickly became a critical and commercial hit, noted for its nuanced representation of social life in the 1960s and for its stylish visual flair. [Test your knowledge of actors and acting.]
© Giuliano BevilacquaâSygma/Getty Images
1980
The Moscow 1980 Olympic Games opened, though some 60 countries refused to attend because of the Soviet Unionâs invasion of Afghanistan in 1979; it was the largest boycott in the history of the Olympic movement. [How much do you know about the Olympics?]
EncyclopĂŠdia Britannica, Inc.
1965
American wild-animal tamer Clyde Beattyâwho was known for his âfighting act,â which was designed to show his courage and mastery of the ferocious animals under his controlâdied at age 62.
Archive Photos
1922
American liberal Democratic politician George S. McGovern, who served as a U.S. senator (1962â80) and was an unsuccessful candidate for the presidency in 1972, was born in Avon, South Dakota. [Test your knowledge of American politics.]
Daniel Nouvel/Gamma Liaison
1903
French bicyclist Maurice Garin won the first Tour de France, which covered 2,428 km (1,508 miles). [Sort fact from fiction in our quiz about the Tour de France.]
H. Roger-Viollet
1870
The French emperor Napoleon III declared war on Prussia, beginning the Franco-German War. [Take our history of war quiz.]
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (Digital file no. cph 3c23237)
1860
Lizzie Bordenâwho was suspected of murdering her stepmother and father but was acquitted in a trial that became a national sensation in the United Statesâwas born in Fall River, Massachusetts. [Read more about this and nine other âtrials of the century.â]
By permission of the British Library
1333
Scottish forces were defeated by the English under King Edward III in the Battle of Halidon Hill. [Take our kings of England quiz.]