1. On October 19, 1781, British General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army to American General George Washington in Yorktown, Virginia. This defeat essentially ended the Revolutionary War and ultimately led to the creation of the United States.

2. On October 19, 1901, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) opened its doors to students for the first time. Today, MIT is one of the most prestigious technical universities in the world, known for its cutting-edge research and innovation.

3. On October 19, 1919, the Boston Red Sox sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees, a decision that would ultimately become one of the most controversial and infamous transactions in sports history. The deal effectively ended the Red Sox's dominance in baseball and ushered in a new era of Yankee dominance.

4. On October 19, 1987, the stock market experienced one of its biggest crashes in history, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping by almost 23% in one day. This event, known as "Black Monday," had a profound impact on financial markets and the global economy.

5. On October 19, 1999, the Massachusetts State House inaugurated its first-ever female governor, Jane Swift. Swift served as governor from 2001 to 2003, and remains one of only eight women to have held the position in U.S. history.