◆ On this day

May 19

4 sourced moments from May 19 in history: Anne Boleyn was sentenced to burn; Henry chose the sword (1536); Franklin's Doomed Expedition Departs to Find the Northwest Passage (1845); What happened when Earth passed through Halley's tail in 1910, plus 1 more.

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4 things happened on May 19

newest first ↓

1962 Culture & Arts · Performing Arts

Marilyn Monroe sings 'Happy Birthday' to President Kennedy

A breathy serenade in a rhinestone gown at Madison Square Garden became one of pop culture's most replayed minutes.

1910 Space · Solar System

What happened when Earth passed through Halley's tail in 1910

On 19 May 1910 Earth spent six hours in Halley's Comet's tail. Nothing happened, but scientists' speculation had already sparked a worldwide scare.

1845 Geography · Borders & Maps

Franklin's Doomed Expedition Departs to Find the Northwest Passage

Two of the best-equipped ships of their age sailed into the Arctic to chart a fabled passage and were never seen again.

1536 History · Modern

Anne Boleyn was sentenced to burn; Henry chose the sword

English law required a queen convicted of treason to be burned alive. Henry's writ of 18 May 1536 changed it to beheading.