October 19 in Pop Culture History
1512 – Martin Luther earned a doctorate of theology.
1798 – Chief Justice John Jay was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of the United States.
1957 – #1 Hit October 19, 1957 – October 25, 1957: The Everly Brothers – Wake Up Little Susie
1974 – #1 Hit October 19, 1974 – October 25, 1974: Billy Preston – Nothing from Nothing
1982 – St. Elsewhere premiered on NBC
1985 – #1 Hit October 19, 1985 – October 25, 1985: a-ha – Take On Me
1987 – The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 22% (508 points), named Black Monday.
1999 – The Lion King (East End Musical) Opened on October 19, 1999
2003 – Mother Teresa was beatified (step before sainthood) by Pope John Paul II.
2004 – The Biggest Loser premiered on NBC.
2009 – Memphis (Broadway Musical) Opened on October 19, 2009 and Closed: August 5, 2012
2009 – (fictional) A giant solar flare destroyed the planet Earth in the 2009 film, Knowing.
2012 – Built in 1952, Big Tex, a 52-foot statue and icon in Dallas was destroyed by fire in the 2012 State Fair of Texas.