On This Day: Sept 19 – History, Tragedies & Global Milestones
Today is Saturday, September 19, the 262nd day of 2026. With 103 days remaining in the year, the world observes National Beach Cleaning Day, International Coastal Cleanup Day, and World Bone Marrow Donor Day.
Historical Highlights
Chaplin Barred and Perón Resigns
In 1952, at the peak of the McCarthyist “witch hunt,” the United States denied entry to cinema legend Charlie Chaplin following his visit to England. Three years later, in 1955, the political landscape of South America shifted dramatically as Argentine President Juan Perón resigned from office.
Tragedy in Mexico City
On this day in 1985, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Mexico City. The disaster claimed tens of thousands of lives, left millions homeless, and reduced large swaths of the capital to rubble.
Global Diplomacy and Peacekeeping
In 1997, the Oslo Conference saw the adoption of the historic Treaty on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. Two years later, in 1999, the first soldiers of the INTERFET multinational peacekeeping force landed in Dili, East Timor, to restore order during a period of violent transition.
Portugal’s Political and Cultural Milestones
Portugal marks several significant anniversaries today. In 1571, the captaincy of Angola was created via a charter signed for Paulo Dias de Novais. More recently, in 1975, the VI Provisional Government led by Admiral Pinheiro de Azevedo took office. In the world of sports, 2021 saw Portugal achieve its best-ever performance at the World Canoeing Championships in Copenhagen, securing five medals.
Notable Births and Passings
The day marks the birthdays of several historical and cultural icons, including French King Henry III (1551), “Lord of the Flies” author William Golding (1911), and 1960s fashion icon Twiggy (1949).
The world also remembers those who passed on this date: Italian literary master Italo Calvino (1985), Tunisian dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (2019), and legendary English footballer Jimmy Greaves (2021). More recently, in 2025, Portugal mourned the loss of renowned visual artist Eduardo Batarda at age 81.
Nature and Science
In the skies, the moon is waxing toward its full phase, expected on September 26. In the Spanish Canary Islands, this date marks the anniversary of the 2021 eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano on La Palma.
Today’s Sun and Tides
- Sunrise: 7:21 AM | Sunset: 7:38 PM
- Port of Lisbon Tides: Low tide at 1:41 AM and 2:55 PM; High tide at 8:18 AM and 9:17 PM.
Image: Pexels – Alev Doğan
