What Happened This Year 1919

Historical Events from This Year 1919

Transportation & Infrastructure

Founding of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines

October 7th, 1919 105 years ago

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines was founded on October 7, 1919, in the Netherlands. This airline has the distinction of being the oldest airline still operating under its original name. Founded by Albert Plesman, KLM began with a focus on offers air transport for passengers and cargo. The airline’s operations commenced with early flights to Amsterdam and other European destinations, establishing itself as a pioneer in the aviation industry.

Continue Reading
Sports & Recreation

Cincinnati Reds Triumph Amid Scandal

October 9th, 1919 105 years ago

The Cincinnati Reds clinched the World Series title, defeating the Chicago White Sox. This victory was overshadowed by allegations of game-fixing involving several White Sox players. The scandal emerged from suspicions that players conspired to influence the outcome of the series in exchange for monetary gains. The public reaction to the scandal was intense, ultimately leading to investigations and significant changes in baseball’s governance.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Adolf Hitler's First Public Address

October 16th, 1919 105 years ago

Adolf Hitler delivered his first public address to the German Workers' Party in Munich, captivating the audience with his fervent nationalism and ideas. The meeting was pivotal for Hitler, who began to establish his public speaking skills and political ideology. His persuasive oratory resonated with many disillusioned Germans in the post-World War I environment, laying the groundwork for his later rise in the Nazi Party.

Continue Reading
Sports & Recreation

Formation of Leeds United F.C. in Holbeck

October 17th, 1919 105 years ago

Leeds United F.C. was established in Holbeck to replace Leeds City F.C. after it was disbanded due to illegal payments made to players during World War I. A group of local football enthusiasts came together in Salem Chapel to create a new club representing Leeds in the Football League. This was motivated by the desire to preserve local footballing tradition and community spirit following the upheaval and loss surrounding the previous club's demise.

Continue Reading
Social Movements & Civil Rights

Fourth Congress of Peasants and Workers in Oleksandrivsk

October 27th, 1919 105 years ago

The Fourth Regional Congress of Peasants, Workers, and Insurgents convened in Oleksandrivsk, uniting various factions in post-revolutionary Ukraine. Delegates gathered to discuss pressing issues faced by the peasantry and laborers in the midst of civil turmoil. Key topics included land redistribution, workers' rights, and military strategies against external threats. The congress aimed to consolidate rural and insurgent leadership to strengthen their position against both the White Army and foreign intervention.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Congress Passes the Volstead Act

October 28th, 1919 105 years ago

The U.S. Congress successfully passed the Volstead Act, overruling President Woodrow Wilson's veto. This legislation defined intoxicating liquors and established the framework for Prohibition, set to commence in January of the following year. The decision was propelled by a growing social movement favoring temperance, aiming to reduce alcohol consumption across the nation amid concerns over morality and public health.

Continue Reading
Politics & Government

Mass Arrests in Response to Red Scare

November 7th, 1919 105 years ago

On the second anniversary of the Russian Revolution, over 10,000 individuals suspected of being communists or anarchists were arrested in a nationwide operation across 23 cities in the United States. This marked a significant escalation in governmental measures against radical political movements following World War I, driven by fears of a potential uprising inspired by the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia. The raids were part of a broader crackdown known as the Palmer Raids, named after Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer, who led the efforts to suppress perceived threats to national security.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Eichenfeld Massacre of Mennonite Colonists

November 8th, 1919 105 years ago

The Eichenfeld massacre saw members of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine killing 136 Mennonite colonists in Jaskyowo. This brutal act marked the beginning of a series of violent attacks against the Ukrainian Mennonite community, leading to the deaths of 827 individuals. The turmoil was rooted in the chaotic environment of post-World War I Ukraine, where various factions vied for control and exerted violence on minority populations. The attacks targeted Mennonites primarily due to their perceived alignment with the German community and inability to defend themselves.

Continue Reading
Military & Warfare

Latvian Victory Over West Russian Forces

November 11th, 1919 105 years ago

Latvian forces successfully defeated the West Russian Volunteer Army at Riga, strengthening Latvia's independence during the Latvian War of Independence. The battle was crucial in securing control over the capital, Riga, and was indicative of the broader struggle between emerging national identities in the post-World War I era.

Continue Reading