19th of April

The 19th of April is the 109th day of the year (Gregorian calendar) or 110th in a leap year. 

 

Annual Commemorations

 

United Kingdom

The 19th of April is known unofficially as ‘Primrose Day’ to commemorate the death of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli who died on this day in 1881. Disraeli, who served twice as Prime Minister, played a major role in the creation of the Conservative Party.

 

United States

The 19th of April is also known as ‘Dutch-American Friendship Day’ commemorating diplomatic relations between the two nations which began on this day in 1782. The Netherlands were the first country to recognise the Independence of the United States of America.

The 19th of April is also known as ‘National Amaretto Day’ in the US.

 

Uruguay

In Uruguay the 19th of April is known as ‘Landing of the 33 Patriots Day’ commemorating the  return of Juan Lavelleja and his 33 exiled Uruguayan fighters on this day in 1825, who took an oath to gain independence for  Uruguay from Brazilian control.

 

Venezuela

This day is known as the ‘19th of April Day’ or the ‘Beginning of the Independence Movement Day’ in Venezuela. It commemorates the start of their struggle against Spanish rule which began on this day in 1910.

 


 

 

 

 

Historical Events

 

19th of april

 

On the 19th of April 1775

The ‘American Revolutionary War’ began.

It is considered that the political arm of the American Revolution actually started on the 22nd of March 1865 when Britain introduced the ‘Stamp Tax’ which caused much controversy and condemnation from Americans and many MP’s in England. The tax was repealed a year later but many more acts of political defiance continued.

On the 19th of April 1775 the military arm of the American Revolution began – known as the ‘American Revolutionary War’ or the ‘American War of Independence’. The first incident that initiated the war took place on this day (1775) in Lexington. British troops were ordered to travel to concord and take the Patriots military stores there. While the British troops headed out on their mission, a Patriot line of communication, made from men on horse back, sent word to Patriot forces of the impending raid. As 700 British troops, under the command of Major Pitcairn, moved through the town green in Lexington, they were met with 77 minutemen (elite mobile infantry of the American militia) under the command of Captain John Parker. Pitcairn ordered the American force to disperse and initially they obeyed. But just as the confrontation seemed over a single shot was fired which would start the American War of Independence and bring four nations into conflict with Britain. That single shot has been referred too as ‘the shot that was heard across the world’ and as soon as it was fired (both sides blamed the other), the British and American forces opened fire on one another. With the small rebellion subdued the British troops continued to Concord to complete their mission. But patriot forces in Concord were even greater and well prepared. They had already removed the stash of military hardware and up to 400 patriot troops met with the British and forced them to retreat back to Boston. The British lost 273 men compared to the patriot’s 95 men killed and this victory to the patriots spurred on many more to join and fight the British. The American War of Independence would continue until 1783 when the 13 original states gained their freedom from Great Britain.

Due to the French loss of land after the Seven Years War and the French – Indian War a few years before, France rallied support for America. By 1780 Patriot American’s, Spain, the Netherlands and France were united against Britain.

The great irony is that George Washington was, many years before, Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army protecting the colonies from possible French attack. When he attacked a French ambassador on the 28th of May 1754 he and his men started the French – Indian War (1754-1763). This led to the Seven Years War (1756-1763) in Europe and the loss of French land in North America to Britain. The loss of territory in America led to the French seeking revenge by allying with America and George Washington himself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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