November 19 has seen immortal speeches delivered, revolutions launched, and scientific breakthroughs achieved.
President Abraham Lincoln delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery. The 272-word speech, defining the war as a test of democracy, became the most famous speech in American history.
Astronauts Pete Conrad and Alan Bean landed on the Moon's Ocean of Storms, becoming the third and fourth humans to walk on the lunar surface. They also retrieved parts from the Surveyor 3 probe.
Egyptian President Anwar Sadat became the first Arab leader to visit Israel, addressing the Knesset in Jerusalem. His courageous peace initiative led to the Camp David Accords and a Nobel Peace Prize.
Christopher Columbus arrived at Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the Americas. He named the island San Juan Bautista, and it became a key Spanish colonial outpost.
Samuel Goldfish (later Goldwyn) and Edgar Selwyn founded Goldwyn Pictures, which would merge to become Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The studio produced some of Hollywood's greatest films.
The Soviet Union launched Operation Uranus, a massive counteroffensive at Stalingrad that encircled the German 6th Army. The operation turned the tide of World War II on the Eastern Front.
Russia launched the Zarya control module, the first component of the International Space Station. The ISS would grow to become the largest structure humans have placed in orbit.