On August 19, a Leipzig cantata, London's first electric cabs, a Reich vote for Hitler, a Jacobite standard, Ontario tornadoes, and a downed Russian helicopter converge as a single day of divergent turning points.
August 19 in History
Bach Debuts Cantata at Leipzig
BWV 137 rings out on the 19th Sunday after Trinity in Leipzig, with the omnes versus style.
Johann Sebastian Bach, who debuts his sacred cantata BWV 137 in Leipzig — Elias Gottlob Haussmann
LEIPZIG, August 19 — In this city where the sacred muse finds her most learned votary, there has this day been heard a new musical setting of that noble hymn, “Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren,” composed by the Cantor of the Church of St. Thomas, Herr Johann Sebastian Bach. The work, numbered BWV 137 in the catalogue of his sacred pieces, received its first performance this morning, being the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, and in the fourth year of the Cantor’s service in Leipzig.
The discerning congregation beheld a singular specimen of the chorale cantata, for the master hath set the hymn of Herr Joachim Neander without alteration, preserving every stanza entire in the German tongue. In this, his third cycle of chorale cantatas, Herr Bach hath chosen the omnes versus manner, whereby each verse of the hymn is woven into the fabric of the composition, a practice not common among the composers of our day. The learned in music will note this adherence to the text, which lends the work a rare unity and devotional fervour.
It is observed that the Cantor conducted the piece with his accustomed gravity, and the assembled faithful received it with due reverence. The town of Leipzig, long a bastion of the Lutheran faith, hath reason to rejoice in so learned a servant of the church.
Electric Cabs Begin London Service
Mr. Bersey's electric cabs take the streets, with twelve hummingbirds plying for hire under police rules.
The Bersey Electric Cab, London's first electric taxi, introduced in 1897 — Vauxford
LONDON, August 19 — Mr. Walter Bersey this day set his electric cabs upon the streets of the metropolis, the first such conveyance to ply for hire in London. An initial service of twelve of these horseless carriages began their rounds this morning, and it is said that no fewer than seventy-seven are to be built in all.
These vehicles, which go by the nickname of “hummingbirds” by reason of their whirring sound and their distinctive livery, have been admitted to the streets only upon the strict conditions of the Metropolitan Police.
Reich Vote Backs Hitler's Sole Rule
Plebiscite approves merger of president and chancellor — official count near 90 percent — Hamburg shows least support — booths removed and storm troopers at the polls.
BERLIN, August 19 — The referendum held this day to confirm the union of the offices of national president and national chancellor, with all powers passing to Herr Adolf Hitler, has been approved by the German people, according to the official returns, with slightly less than ninety per cent of the votes cast in favour. The plebiscite came seventeen days after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg, and the government had declared the day a “virtual national holiday,” with the Führer addressing the nation over 4.3 million registered radio sets on the seventeenth.
Prince Raises Standard at Glenfinnan
Charles Edward Stuart raises the Stuart standard at Loch Shiel on August 19, 1745, claiming the throne for his father, with brandy served and pipers playing.
The Glenfinnan Monument marks the site where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his Jacobite standard — August Schwerdfeger
GLENFINNAN, August 19 — This day, upon the shores of Loch Shiel, Charles Edward Stuart, the eldest son of the Chevalier de St. George, raised the standard of his father, claiming the throne of Great Britain and beginning that enterprise which men call the rising of 1745. With the white silk of the House of Stuart unfurled above the glen, the prince declared his father King James the Third, and called upon the loyal clans of the Highlands to rally to his cause.
The assembled Highlanders, their numbers swelled by the clansmen of the western glens, gave a great shout as the banner was lifted, and the prince, in a gesture that hath been much remarked, ordered brandy to be distributed among the host, that they might drink to the success of the enterprise. Among those who attended the prince at this solemn moment were two pipers, one of them a member of the Clan Macfie, who filled the air with the skirl of the pipes as the standard was raised.
Whether this attempt shall prosper, or end as the rising of 1715, cannot yet be known, but the fire of loyalty burns bright in the glens this day. The prince now looks to march south, and the clans are commanded to assemble their full strength, for the prize is no less than the crown of three kingdoms. Some seventy years hence, it is said, a monument of eighteen metres in height shall be raised upon this very spot to mark the raising of the standard, but of that future no man can speak with certainty.
Tornadoes Rip Southern Ontario
Storms spawn at least three twisters, causing damage estimated at over C$500 million.
Severe thunderstorms move across southern Ontario, spawning tornadoes that caused extensive — Elina Volkova
TORONTO, Aug. 19 — The sky over southern Ontario turned black as severe thunderstorms rolled through, spawning at least three tornadoes and leaving a trail of destruction estimated at over C$500 million. The storms struck with little warning, tearing roofs from homes and uprooting trees across the region.
Canada sees about 230 tornadoes each year, though only some 60 are formally confirmed, placing the country second in the world after the United States. Most twisters touch down in Southern Ontario, the southern Prairies, and southern Quebec. The peak season for such violent weather runs from late spring through summer.
Chechen Missile Downs Russian Helicopter; 127 Dead
A Mil Mi-26 overloaded with 142 soldiers and officers was hit by a 9K38 Igla missile, killing 127 people and prompting Putin to declare mourning for Aug. 22.
MOSCOW, Aug. 19 — Russia's military faced its deadliest aviation disaster as a Mil Mi-26 helicopter, brought down by Chechen separatists near Khankala, killed 127 people, the worst helicopter crash in history. The heavy transport, overloaded with 142 soldiers and officers, was struck by a Russian-made 9K38 Igla shoulder-fired missile.
Crash-landing in a minefield, the burning wreck claimed more lives as anti-personnel mines exploded. Only the five-man crew and 29 passengers escaped through the small cockpit hatch; 14 later died of burns. President Vladimir Putin declared a national day of mourning for Aug. 22, and the press dubbed it 'the second Kursk'.
Peasants Rise Against Bolsheviks in Tambov
Peasants in Tambov Governorate, less than 500 versts southeast of Moscow, rebel against Bolshevik rule.
MOSCOW, Aug. 19 — The Russian Civil War has entered a new and dangerous phase, as peasants in Tambov Governorate, less than 500 versts southeast of Moscow, have risen in rebellion against the Bolshevik government.
Edward Crowned King at Westminster
Edward, returned from the Ninth Crusade, was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey this day.
WESTMINSTER, Aug. 19 — Edward, returned at last from the Ninth Crusade, was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey this day, nearly two years after the death of his father, Henry III.
British Pursue French Fleet to Lagos
Admiral Boscawen's squadron pursues the French fleet into Lagos, Portugal, continuing the battle despite the kingdom's neutrality.
LISBON, Aug. 19 — In a bold stroke, Admiral Boscawen's larger squadron has pursued the remnant of the French Mediterranean fleet into the port of Lagos, Portugal, and there continued the battle, despite the neutrality of that kingdom.
North Korean 766th Regiment Disbanded After Short Fight
Regiment trained 14 months but fought less than two before merging into 12th Division.
SEOUL, Aug. 19 — The North Korean 766th Independent Infantry Regiment, exhausted and undersupplied, ceased to exist today when its remaining troops were merged into the Communist 12th Division. The regiment, which trained for 14 months but fought less than two, moved to Pihak-san, six miles north of Kigye, before disbanding.
250,000 Farmed Salmon Loose in Puget Sound
Non-native Atlantic fish escape from Cypress Island cages — Threat to native Pacific runs feared
ANACORTES, Wash. — The steel cages at a commercial fishery off Cypress Island gave way under the weight of their captive stock, and the water beyond the nets has since run thick with escapees.
Cumberland Cup Presented to Cruiser
Armoured cruiser Cumberland commissioned Aug. 19 in Quebec ceremony honoring ship's namesake traditions.
QUEBEC, Aug. 19 — The commissioning of the armoured cruiser Cumberland was crowned tonight with a ceremony that bound the ship to the traditions of her name. Grey proposed a toast from the silver cup, designed by Herbert Maryon and wrought by the Keswick School of Industrial Art.
