Today in US history, on February 19: From wartime decisions and daring rescues to inventions and military milestones

February 19 has witnessed pivotal moments in US history, from daring rescues and groundbreaking inventions to decisive military actions and controversial wartime decisions. Across centuries, events on this day have left a lasting mark on the nation’s history, shaping science, conflict, and society alike.

1942: Roosevelt signs order leading to Japanese-American internment

On February 19, 1942, amid the heightened fears of World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, mandating the forced relocation and internment of roughly 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry, including US-born citizens.


1847: Donner Party rescued after months in the snow

In 1847, after nearly four harrowing months snowbound in the Sierra Nevada near the California-Nevada border, the first rescuers finally reached the stranded members of the Donner Party.

1878: Thomas Edison patents the Phonograph

In 1878, inventor Thomas Edison received a patent for the phonograph, a groundbreaking device that would transform the way sound was recorded and played back.

1945: US Marines land at Iwo Jima in WWII

In 1945, the first wave of US Marines landed on Iwo Jima as part of Operation Detachment, initiating a month-long battle to capture the island from Japanese forces during World War II.