WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19, 2026
Summary
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 19, 2026 lists notable historical events across centuries, from Octavian becoming consul in 43 B.C. to the end of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2010. It also includes the publication of Louis Daguerre’s photographic process in 1839, the Dieppe raid in 1942, and Hungary’s opening of its border to Austria in 1989. Other entries note Japan’s Suisei launch in 1985 and the Soviet coup attempt in 1991.
Key Facts
- In 1839, Louis Daguerre’s daguerreotype photographic process with complete working instructions was published free to the world in Paris as a gift from the French government.
- In 1942, more than 4,000 Canadian and British soldiers were killed, wounded, or captured during a raid on Dieppe, France.
- In 1988, Iran and Iraq began a ceasefire in their eight-year-old war at 11 pm EDT.
- In 2010, Operation Iraqi Freedom wound down as the last United States Brigade Combat Teams crossed the border into Kuwait.
43 B.C.-Octavian, later known as Augustus, compels the Roman Senate to elect him consul
1839-Louis Daguerre's daguerreotype photographic process with complete working instructions is published "free to the world" in Paris as a gift from the French government
1942-World War II: Over 4,000 Canadian and British soldiers are killed, wounded, or captured during a raid on Dieppe, France
1985-Japan launches Suisei, the country's second probe of Halley's Comet
1988-Iran and Iraq begin a ceasefire in their eight-year-old war at 11 pm EDT
1989-First crack in the Iron Curtain as Hungary opens its borders to Austria for a Pan-European Picnic for a few hours
1996-Major South African political parties begin their submissions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)
1991-Conservative members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union attempt to depose Mikhail Gorbachev in a coup d'état
2010-Operation Iraqi Freedom winds down as the last of the United States Brigade Combat Teams cross the border into Kuwait
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