1. On August 19, 1814, during the War of 1812, British troops entered Washington, D.C., setting fire to several government buildings, including the White House and the Capitol. The attack was a major blow to the young United States, but it also inspired a wave of patriotism and led to the construction of new buildings, such as the neoclassical U.S. Capitol dome.

2. August 19, 1862, marked the beginning of the Second Battle of Bull Run, a major Civil War battle in which Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee defeated Union troops under General John Pope. The battle was a significant victory for the Confederacy and it paved the way for Lee's invasion of Maryland.

3. On August 19, 1953, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its decision in District of Columbia v. Thompson, a landmark case that declared racial segregation in Washington, D.C. public schools unconstitutional. The ruling paved the way for desegregation in the city's schools and was a major victory for the civil rights movement.

4. August 19, 1989, marked the first day of the HIV/AIDS Quilt display on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The Quilt, which is now one of the largest pieces of community art in the world, consists of more than 50,000 panels, each commemorating the life of someone who died from AIDS. The display drew tens of thousands of visitors and helped raise awareness about the devastating impact of the disease.

5. On August 19, 2016, a memorial service was held in Washington, D.C., to honor the life and legacy of U.S. Senator John McCain, who had recently died of brain cancer. McCain was a decorated war hero and a respected statesman who had represented Arizona in Congress for over 30 years. The service, which was attended by thousands of people, including U.S. presidents and foreign dignitaries, was a testament to McCain's lifelong commitment to public service and bipartisan cooperation.