This Day in History

September 19

1881

President James Garfield died of a gunshot wound inflicted by a disappointed office seeker the previous July 2.

1934

Bruno Hauptmann was arrested for the Lindbergh baby kidnap-murder.

1955

President Juan Peron of Argentina was deposed and exiled after a military coup.

1957

The United States conducted its first underground nuclear test in the Nevada desert.

1962

Gov. Ross Barnett blocked James Meredith from enrolling in the University of Mississippi.

1985

The Mexico City area was struck by the first of two devastating earthquakes that claimed thousands of lives. The second earthquake hit 36 hours later.

1994

U.S. troops entered Haiti to enforce the return of exiled president Jean-Bertrand Aristide.

2001

The Pentagon ordered combat aircraft to the Persian Gulf following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.