On this day: June 19

Man Reports Waking Up Speaking Language He Never Learned

On June 19, 2007, a man in England reported waking from sleep speaking fluent Welsh despite no prior knowledge of the language. The case drew media attention and raised questions about rare neurological and psychological conditions, though experts cautioned against definitive conclusions.

Arsenic in the Vanity: 19th-Century Face Powders and Deadly Beauty

In the 19th century, some commercially sold face powders and home-made cosmetics contained arsenic and other toxic ingredients; documented poisonings and rising medical concern made these products an early, if unsettling, example of cosmetic-related fatalities.

The first recorded deadly cosmetic poisoning: arsenic-laced face powders, 19th century

On June 19, 1869, contemporary reports linked deaths and severe illnesses to arsenic-contaminated skin-whitening powders—among the earliest documented cases of dangerous cosmetic poisoning in the modern press.

Congress Passes the Civil Rights Act of 1964

On June 19, 1964, the U.S. Congress enacted the Civil Rights Act, landmark legislation outlawing segregation in public accommodations and banning employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.