June 19th, 1862: The US Congress prohibited slavery in United States territories, nullifying Dred Scott v. Sandford.

June 19th, 1905: The first nickelodeon theater opened in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

June 19th, 1910: The first Father’s Day was celebrated.

June 19th, 1941: Cheerie Oats, later renamed Cheerios, was invented.

June 19th, 1949: The first ever NASCAR race was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

June 19th, 2012: WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange requested asylum in London’s Ecuatorian Embassy for fear of extradition to the U.S. after publication of previously classified documents.

---

Actress Phylicia Rashad turns 72 years old.

 

Rocker Ann Wilson turns 70 years old.

 

Actress Kathleen Turner turns 66 years old.

 

Singer/dancer Paula Abdul turns 58 years old.

 

Actress Mia Sara turns 53 years old.

 

Actress Poppy Montgomery turns 48 years old.

 

Actress Robin Tunney turns 48 years old.

 

Actress Zoe Saldana turns 42 years old.

 

Actor Paul Dano turns 36 years old.

---

June 19th is Juneteenth.