On this day: September 19

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1991 • mystery • 2 views

Human Skull Found Embedded in Living Tree, Discovered Sept. 19, 1991

A living deciduous tree with a recessed cavity in its trunk containing part of a human skull; grassy ground and wooded background suggest a rural setting.

On September 19, 1991, a human skull was reported embedded within the trunk of a living tree. The discovery prompted local authorities and forensic investigators to examine how the remains came to be incorporated into the tree’s growth and to seek identification.

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2000 • neutral • 4 views

Eric Moussambani records the slowest Olympic 100m freestyle in history

Eric Moussambani competing alone in an Olympic 50m pool during the Sydney 2000 Games, mid-race in a freestyle heat; empty lanes beside him and a timing board visible in the background.

At the Sydney 2000 Olympics on September 19, Equatorial Guinean swimmer Eric Moussambani completed the 100m freestyle in 1:52.72 — the slowest ever time recorded in Olympic competition for the event, drawing worldwide attention to his effort.

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1985 • dark • 2 views

Massive 1985 Mexico City Earthquake Kills Thousands

Collapsed apartment buildings and rubble-strewn streets in central Mexico City after the September 19, 1985 earthquake, with rescue workers and volunteers among the debris.

On September 19, 1985, a powerful earthquake struck Mexico City, causing widespread building collapses, fires and infrastructure failure; official and independent estimates placed the death toll in the thousands and left large areas of the capital in ruin.

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