What Happened This Year 1919

Historical Events from This Year 1919

Politics & Government

Lady Astor Becomes First Woman MP

November 28th, 1919 105 years ago

Lady Nancy Astor is elected as a Member of Parliament for the Plymouth Sutton constituency, marking a significant moment in UK politics as she is the first woman to sit in the House of Commons. Although Countess Markievicz was elected in 1918, she chose not to take her seat. Astor's victory reflects broader changes in societal attitudes toward women's roles in politics following World War I. Her election indicates a landmark shift, allowing women to influence national legislation.

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Politics & Government

Lady Astor Takes Her Seat in Parliament

December 1st, 1919 105 years ago

Nancy Astor, Viscountess Astor, became the first woman to sit in the House of Commons after being elected as a Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton. Her election on November 28, 1919, came after women over 30 gained the right to vote in the UK earlier that year. This moment marked a significant step forward in women's representation in British politics, as she officially took her seat in the Commons on December 1, 1919, taking up her office and becoming a pivotal figure for female politicians.

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Transportation & Infrastructure

Quebec Bridge Opens After Long Delays

December 3rd, 1919 105 years ago

After nearly two decades of planning and setbacks, the Quebec Bridge officially opened to traffic in December. The bridge, spanning the St. Lawrence River, was a monumental engineering achievement, though it had suffered two catastrophic collapses during its construction, resulting in the deaths of 89 workers. Its completion marked a significant advancement in transportation infrastructure and connectivity in Canada.

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Military & Warfare

Assassination Attempt on Ukrainian High Command

December 4th, 1919 105 years ago

A conspiracy led by Dmytro Polonsky aimed to assassinate the high command of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine. This plot unfolded during the Ukrainian War of Independence, highlighting the internal conflicts within revolutionary ranks. The conspirators believed that eliminating key leadership would facilitate a shift in power dynamics and control.

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Politics & Government

Polonsky Conspiracy Suppressed by Kontrrazvedka

December 5th, 1919 105 years ago

The Polonsky conspiracy involved a plan by anti-Bolshevik elements within Ukraine that sought to undermine the Ukrainian People's Republic. On December 5, 1919, this conspiracy was suppressed by the government's security service, Kontrrazvedka. Participants were apprehended and subsequently executed, highlighting the state's determination to quash dissent and maintain control during a tumultuous period of the Ukrainian War of Independence.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Emma Goldman Exiled to Soviet Russia

December 21st, 1919 105 years ago

Emma Goldman, a prominent anarchist and activist, was deported to Russia following her arrest during the Red Scare. Known for her passionate advocacy for women's rights, labor rights, and free speech, Goldman had been a controversial figure in American society. The U.S. government, motivated by fears of radicalism after World War I, targeted anarchists in a series of deportations. Goldman was put on a ship bound for Russia, where she hoped to witness the Bolshevik Revolution firsthand and contribute to the dream of a more equitable society.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

Sex Disqualification Act Becomes Law

December 23rd, 1919 105 years ago

The Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919 became law in the United Kingdom, allowing women to enter professions from which they had previously been barred due to gender. This major legislative change came after years of advocacy from women's rights activists, and it is considered a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality. The Act enabled women to serve on juries, hold public office, and work in professions like law and medicine, which had been predominantly male-dominated fields.

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Sports & Recreation

Babe Ruth Sold from Red Sox to Yankees

December 26th, 1919 105 years ago

Harry Frazee sells Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, marking a controversial shift in baseball. This sale is often cited as the beginning of the infamous Curse of the Bambino, which suggests that the Red Sox would suffer for years without a championship following Ruth's departure. Ruth's immense talent and larger-than-life persona converted him into a baseball legend and significantly altered the dynamics of the sport.

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