July 19 (A Double)

711 - Rodric, Visigoth King of Spain, was defeated by the Moors.

This event marks the beginning of Muslim rule in Spain, which continued for another 700+ years - longer than the current Christians have ruled Spain.

Were it not for the Franks, the Muslim Horde would have likely overtaken all of Western Europe. One of the few moments of honor for the French nation...Even though it was much more Germanic than French at this time.

1799 - French troops in Egypt discovered the Rosetta Stone.

At the time they had no idea what to do with this tablet, but they knew it was unique.  Luckily they took it with them...Soon it was discovered the Rosetta Stone was the key to unlocking ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic writing.

Napoleon’s adventure into Egypt was a mess, but the finding of this tool should be seen as one of the high-points in his reign.

1870 - The Franco-Prussian war began.

This war lasted less than a year and confirmed two things:

1. Prussia was the leader of the German states, and soon united them - forming the German Empire.

2. France has been a joke since the fall of Napoleon, and they got used to having the German boot up their rear for the next 75-years.

1993 - President Bill Clinton announced a compromise allowing homosexuals to serve in the military, but only if they refrained from all homosexual activity, known as the "don't ask, don't tell, don't pursue" policy.

This policy is bad for the military, which is bad for national defense, which is bad for America...Maybe Bill was hoping he’d get the same leeway, and be allowed to not 'tell' about his special 'activities' as Commander-in-Chief.