On This Day in History, October 19

2005 Trial of Saddam Hussein Begins

The Iraqi Special Tribunal started the trial of deposed President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, and 7 other defendants for crimes against humanity. Hussein, who was the fifth President of Iraq was found guilty and was executed by hanging a year later on December 30, 2006.

1954 Cho Oyu Scaled for the First Time in Recorded History

The 6th highest mountain peak in the world, Cho Oyu is part of the Himalayan mountain range and lies on the Nepal-China border. It was scaled by Nepalese Pasang Dawa Lama and Austrians Joseph Jöchler and Herbert Tichy.

1950 Battle of Chamdo (Qamdo) Ends

Also known as the Liberation of Tibet in China, the war between China and Tibet began on October 6, when Chinese military forces under the leadership of Deng Xiaoping entered the country from Sichuan. At the end of the battle, the Chinese had taken over the border city of Chamdo. The battle was the starting point for negotiations between the two countries over the status of Tibet.

1943 Streptomycin is Discovered

The miracle antibiotic that became the first line of offense against tuberculosis in the mid 20th century, was isolated for the first time by graduate student Albert Schatz while working under Selman Abraham Waksman at Rutgers University. Waksman received the Nobel Prize for this achievement, prompting Schatz to sue him. The case was settled out of court.

1914 First Battle of Ypres

Part of the Battle of Flanders during the First World War, the First Battle of Ypres was fought in the Belgian city of Ypres. It was fought between German forces on one side and the Belgian, French and British troops on the other. Fighting continued till November 22, when harsh weather forced the two sides to take a break from the hostilities.

1962 Evander Holyfield

American boxer

1958 Michael Steele

American politician, 7th Lieutenant Governor of Maryland

1946 Philip Pullman

English author

1945 John Lithgow

American actor

1944 Peter Tosh

Jamaican singer-songwriter, guitarist

1893 Lucy Stone

American activist

1813 Józef Poniatowski

Polish general

1745 Jonathan Swift

Irish author

1682 Thomas Browne

English author

1216 John, King of England