1764day.year
Bolle Willum Luxdorph records in his diary that a mail bomb, possibly the world's first, has severely injured the Danish Colonel Poulsen, residing at Børglum Abbey.
A mail bomb injures Danish Colonel Poulsen at Børglum Abbey, possibly the world's first recorded postal bomb attack.
On January 19, 1764, Danish diarist Bolle Willum Luxdorph documented a dramatic incident at Børglum Abbey. A concealed explosive device sent through the mail detonated upon opening, severely injuring Colonel Poulsen. This event is among the earliest known examples of a mail-delivered bomb. Authorities launched an investigation, suspecting personal vendettas or espionage motives. The shocking attack prompted calls for stricter postal security and screening. Though the perpetrator was never conclusively identified, the incident marked a grim milestone in the history of explosive warfare. It underscored emerging threats to both military personnel and civilian communication networks.
1764
Bolle Willum Luxdorph
mail bomb
Børglum Abbey
1917day.year
Silvertown explosion: A blast at a munitions factory in London kills 73 and injures over 400. The resulting fire causes over £2,000,000 worth of damage.
On January 19, 1917, a massive blast at the Silvertown munitions factory in London killed 73 people and caused extensive damage.
The Silvertown explosion occurred on January 19, 1917, at a wartime TNT factory in London’s East End. A chemical reaction during the production of munitions triggered a devastating blast and subsequent fires. Seventy-three factory workers and local residents were killed, while over 400 were injured. The explosion demolished nearby buildings, shattered windows across many miles, and inflicted more than £2,000,000 in damage. The disaster highlighted the dangers faced by industrial laborers and civilians living near armaments plants during wartime. Emergency services and volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue survivors and clear debris. The incident led to stricter safety regulations for explosive manufacturing and urban zoning near hazardous sites.
1917
Silvertown explosion
1960day.year
Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 871 crashes near Ankara Esenboğa Airport in Turkey, killing all 42 aboard.
SAS Flight 871 crashes near Ankara, killing all 42 people on board.
On January 19, 1960, Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 871 crashed during approach to Ankara Esenboğa Airport in Turkey. The tragic accident claimed the lives of all 42 passengers and crew on board. Preliminary investigations pointed to adverse weather and possible navigational errors. The disaster prompted a review of flight procedures in the region. SAS implemented new safety measures and training programs following the crash. Families of the victims and aviation authorities mourned the devastating loss. The incident remains one of the deadliest airline accidents in Turkey’s aviation history.
Scandinavian Airlines System Flight 871
Ankara Esenboğa Airport
1988day.year
Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286 crashes in Bayfield, Colorado, killing nine.
Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286 crashes in Colorado, resulting in nine fatalities.
On January 19, 1988, Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286 crashed shortly after takeoff from Bayfield, Colorado. The accident killed all nine people on board, including crew and passengers. Investigators attributed the crash to a combination of severe icing conditions and pilot error. The tragedy prompted airlines to review de-icing protocols and crew training for winter operations. The National Transportation Safety Board issued recommendations to improve safety measures in small commuter aircraft. Relatives and the aviation community mourned the loss of life. The crash remains a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by extreme weather in aviation.
1988
Trans-Colorado Airlines Flight 2286
Bayfield, Colorado
1995day.year
After being struck by lightning the crew of Bristow Helicopters Flight 56C are forced to ditch. All 18 aboard are later rescued.
In 1995, Bristow Helicopters Flight 56C was struck by lightning off the coast, forcing an emergency ditching and subsequent rescue of all 18 on board.
During a routine offshore flight on January 19, 1995, Bristow Helicopters Flight 56C was struck by lightning, disabling key instruments. The crew executed a high-stakes emergency ditching into the North Sea. Passengers and crew braced for impact as the helicopter hit the water. Nearby support vessels and rescue teams responded swiftly to the distress call. All 18 people on board were safely rescued by lifeboats and helicopters. The incident underscored the dangers of offshore aviation and the importance of robust emergency protocols.
1995
Bristow Helicopters Flight 56C
1996day.year
The barge North Cape oil spill occurs as an engine fire forces the tugboat Scandia ashore on Moonstone Beach in South Kingstown, Rhode Island.
In 1996, an engine fire aboard the tugboat Scandia caused the barge North Cape to run aground, triggering one of New England’s worst oil spills.
On January 19, 1996, an engine fire aboard the tugboat Scandia forced the barge North Cape to run aground at Moonstone Beach in Rhode Island. The grounding spilled over 800,000 gallons of home heating oil into the coastal ecosystem. Thick oil slicks contaminated beaches, marshes, and marine habitats, prompting large-scale cleanup efforts. Local volunteers and environmental agencies worked together to rescue wildlife and remove oil from shorelines. The spill became one of New England’s worst environmental disasters of the decade. Long-term studies later revealed lingering effects on fish and bird populations.
1996
North Cape
South Kingstown, Rhode Island
2006day.year
A Slovak Air Force Antonov An-24 crashes near Hejce, Hungary, killing 42.
On January 19, 2006, a Slovak Air Force Antonov An-24 transport plane crashed near Hejce, Hungary, killing all 42 aboard.
On January 19, 2006, a Slovak Air Force Antonov An-24 transport plane crashed in mountainous terrain near Hejce, Hungary. The aircraft was carrying military personnel and their families on a goodwill mission. Poor visibility and adverse weather conditions contributed to the tragic crash. All 42 people on board lost their lives, making it Hungary’s deadliest aviation accident in decades. The disaster prompted joint investigations and reviews of military flight safety procedures. Nations across Europe expressed condolences and solidarity with Slovakia and Hungary.
2006
Slovak Air Force
Antonov An-24
crashes
Hejce