On this day in history - July 19

What Happened On This Day – July 19

• 1903 The first Tour de France comes to an end

  Maurice Garin became the first person to win the debut of the now annual bike race.

• 1900 Paris Metro opens

  One of the densest metros in the world and the second largest metro in Europe, the first line of the Paris Metro opened during the World's Fair.

• 1870 Franco-Prussian War starts

  The war involving France, under Napoleon and the Kingdom of Prussia began with French declaration of war. The war lasted for 9 months and ended with a German victory.

• 1848 Seneca Falls Convention begins

  One of the first women's rights convention to be held in American history, the two-day convention attracted 300 women and men who protested the social, economic, and political discrimination American women faced.

• 1553 Mary I replaces Lady Jane Grey as Queen of England

  Also known as Bloody Mary due to her brutal persecution of Protestants, Mary I was the only child of Catherine of Aragon and Henry III.