Mustafa Kemal Atatürk initiates the Turkish War of Independence
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk lands at the coastal city of Samsun on May 19, 1919 and begins what would later become the Turkish War of Independence.
At the end of World War I, the Ottoman Empire was dismembered but fighting with Greek troops assumed intensity after Anatolia was invaded. Having been dispatched to the town of Samsun, Ataturk sent telegrams and letters to important resistance figures across Anatolia, inviting them to join his cause. Massive protests immediately broke out soon after with Turkish generals and soldiers proclaimed support for Ataturk’s vision to create a sovereign, independent and secular Turkish state. Coincidentally, May 19 was also the day Attaturk was born in 1881.
Malcolm X is born
The African American Muslim Human Rights activist Malcolm X is born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, USA. Considered as one of the most important African American in US history and a leading figure during the Civil Rights Movement, Malcolm Little changed his birth name to Malcolm X in protest against oppression. “For me, my ‘X’ replaced the white slavemaster name of ‘Little’ which some blue-eyed devil named Little had imposed upon my paternal forebears,” he said.
“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”
Arrested several times over the course of his struggle Malcolm X became a central leader in the Nation of Islam but was also criticised for his Radical views.
Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965.
Regarded as a masterful orator, ‘By Any Means Necessary’ is among his most famous speeches.
Akbar’s wife Mariam-uz-Zamani (Jodhabai) dies
Wife of Mughal Emperor Akbar and mother of Jehangir, Mariam-uz-Zamani, also known as Jodhabhai dies on May 19, 1623. Her original name has been a subject of speculation as Marium-uz-Zamani was her official title after she gave birth to Jehangir. She enjoyed considerable prestige and power during Jehangir’s reign and was at the centre of a diplomatic spat between the Mughal Empire and Portugal after a ship she was sailing in for the pilgrimage to Mecca was captured by Portuguese pirates. She was buried in Agra and the The Mosque of Mariyam Zamani Begum in Lahore was built by Jehangir in her honour.
‘Lawrence of Arabia’ dies
The British military intelligence officer, diplomat, writer and archaeologist dies on May 19, 1935 at the age of 46. As an officer in the British military, T E Lawrence played a critical role in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign fought between the British & Ottoman Empires in World War I and supporting the Great Arab Revolt against Ottoman rule. He himself participated in many of the Arab attacks against Ottoman forces, helping to organise raids and develop strategies – leading to the capture of important towns and cities, including Damascus.
“The value of the tribes is defensive only and their real sphere is guerilla warfare. They are intelligent, and very lively, almost reckless, but too individualistic to endure commands, or fight in line, or to help each other. It would, I think, be possible to make an organized force out of them…The Hejaz war is one of dervishes against regular forces-and we are on the side of the dervishes. Our text-books do not apply to its conditions at all,” he wrote later.
T E Lawrence became a popular figure and has since been immortalised in popular culture due, being represented in music, films, theatre and video games. He is perhaps known most widely as the Lawrence of Arabia.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is born
Bollywood actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui is born on May 19, 1974 in Uttar Pradesh, India. A graduate of the National School of Drama, he made his acting debut in 1999. His most famous movies include Black Friday, The Lunchbox, Manto, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Gangs of Wasseypur.
Like what you read?
Would you like to know what happened on 18th May?
How about 25th May?
[…] Would you like to know what happened on 19th May? […]
Comments are closed.