Seeds of Fire: A People’s Chronology

Recalling events that happened on this day in history.
Memories of struggle, resistance and persistence.

Compiled by Ulli Diemer

April 19, 1775
British troops clash with American militias at Lexington and Concord in the first armed confrontations of the American revolutionary war. In a context of rising tensions between the British colonial authorities and colonists chafing under British rule, British soldiers are sent out to seize military supplies held by local militias. The militias receive advance warning, and prepare themselves. After a series of clashes, the outnumbered British soldiers withdraw to Boston, pursued by the militias, who by this point number 15,000. With no conscious decision on either side, the American war of independence has started. Related Topics: Colonies/British – United States/War of Independence
April 19 - 21, 1925
American forces intervene in Honduras to ‘protect American interests.’ Related Topics: Honduras – Intervention – U.S. Imperialism
April 19, 1943
The second and final phase of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising begins when Nazi forces invade the Ghetto and are met with fierce resistance by Jewish combat organizations. Fighting continues until early May. The remaining Jewish residents of the Ghetto, some 50,000 out of an original 300,000 to 400,000, are deported to death camps. [see also January 18] Further Reading: Marek Edelman: The Ghetto Fights Related Topics: Death Camps – Revolts – Warsaw Ghetto
April 19, 1943
The Twentieth Convoy (Transport 20): Members of the Belgian resistance in Nazi-occupied Belgium free Jews and Romani who are being transported to the Auschwitz concentration camp. Using a ruse, they stop the train on the tracks on the Mechelen-Leuven line. 231 people escape; of these, 26 are hunted down and killed, and 90 are subsequently recaptured. The other 115 get away. Related Topics: Anti-Nazi Resistance – Holocaust
April 19, 1993
Waco Massacre: The FBI attacks a small religious community in Waco Texas and kills 87 men, women, and children. Related Topics: Massacres – Violence Against Civilians
April 19, 1995
Members of a right-wing militia group bomb the federal building in Oklahoma City, which also houses a day-care centre. 168 people die, including 19 children under the age of six. More than 680 people are injured. Related Topics: Bombing – Massacres – Terrorism