August 19: Afghan Independence DayBersey electric cab1759 Seven Years' War: Having damaged several French vessels, British ships pursued the remainder of the fleet to Lagos, Portugal, and continued the battle there (depicted) in violation of Portuguese neutrality.1950 The 766th Independent Infantry Regiment of North Korea was disbanded after fighting for less than two months in the Korean War.2002 Second Chechen War: A Russian Mil Mi-26 was brought down by Chechen separatists with a man-portable air-defense system near Khankala, killing 127 people in the deadliest helicopter crash in history.2003 A car bomb destroyed the United Nations headquarters at Baghdad's Canal Hotel, killing Brazilian diplomat Srgio Vieira de Mello and 21 others.2017 Around 250,000 farmed non-native Atlantic salmon were accidentally released into the wild near Cypress Island, Washington.Coco Chanel (b.1883)Bill Clinton (b.1946)Otto Frank (d.1980)Levy Mwanawasa (d.2008)More anniversaries: August 18August 19August 20ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout