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May 15
*** Shopping-Tip: May 15
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'''
May 15''' is the 135th day of the year in the
Gregorian Calendar (136th in leap years). There are 230 days remaining.
Events
*
1252 -
Pope Innocent IV issues the
papal bull ''
ad exstirpanda'', which authorizes the
torture of
heretics in the
Medieval Inquisition. Torture quickly gains widespread usage across
Catholicism Catholic Europe.
*
1514 -
Jodocus Badius Ascensius publishes
Christiern Pedersen's Latin version of
Saxo’s ''
Gesta Danorum,'' the oldest known version of that work.
*
1525 - The
battle of Frankenhausen ends the
Peasants' War.
*
1602 -
Bartholomew Gosnold becomes the first European to see
Cape Cod.
*
1618 -
Johannes Kepler confirms his previously rejected discovery of the
Kepler's laws of planetary motion third law of planetary motion (he first discovered it on
March 8 but soon rejected the idea after some initial calculations were made).
*
1701 - The
War of the Spanish Succession begins.
*
1718 -
James Puckle, a
London lawyer, patents the world's first
machine gun.
*
1756 - The
Seven Years' War begins when
England declares war on
France.
*
1776 -
American Revolution:
Virginia convention instructs its delegates to propose a declaration of independence from
Great Britain.
*
1795 -
First Coalition:
Napoleon I of France enters
Milan in triumph.
*
1836 -
Francis Baily observes "
Baily's beads" during an
annular eclipse.
*
1849 - Troops of the
Two Sicilies take
Palermo and crush the republican government of
Sicily.
*
1851 -
Ramai IV of Thailand Rama IV is crowned King of
Thailand.
*
1858 - The third
Royal Opera House officially opens in
London.
*
1862 - President
Abraham Lincoln signs a bill into law creating the United States Bureau of Agriculture (later renamed
United States Department of Agriculture USDA).
*
1864 -
American Civil War:
Battle of Resaca,
Georgia (U.S. state) Georgia ends.
* 1864 - American Civil War:
Battle of New Market,
Virginia – Students from the
Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the
Confederate States of America Confederate Army to force
United States Union General
Franz Sigel out of the
Shenandoah Valley.
*
1869 -
Woman's suffrage: In
New York,
Susan B. Anthony and
Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the
National Woman Suffrage Association.
*
1897 -
The Greek army retreats with heavy losses in
Greco-Turkish War
*
1902 - In a field outside
Grass Valley, California,
Lyman Gilmore reportedly becomes the first person to fly a powered
airplane (a
steam-powered glider).
*
1905 -
Las Vegas, Nevada, is founded when 110 acres (0.4 km²), in what later would become downtown, are auctioned off.
*
1911 - The
Supreme Court of the United States United States Supreme Court declares
Standard Oil to be an "unreasonable"
monopoly under the
Sherman Antitrust Act and orders the company to be dissolved.
*
1914 -
Bolivia becomes a signatory to the
Buenos Aires Convention Buenos Aires copyright treaty.
*
1918 -
Civil War in Finland ends.
* 1918 - The US Post Office Department (later renamed the
United States Postal Service USPS) begins the first regular
airmail service in the world (between
New York City,
Philadelphia and
Washington, DC).
*
1919 - The
Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 Winnipeg General Strike began. By 11:00, virtually the entire working population of
Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg had walked off the job.
*
1928 - Release of the
animation animated short "
Plane Crazy", featuring the first appearances of
Mickey Mouse Mickey and
Minnie Mouse.
*
1930 - Aboard a
Boeing tri-motor,
Ellen Church becomes the first
flight attendant airline stewardess, on a flight from
Oakland, California to
Chicago, Illinois.
*
1932 - The
May 15 Incident. In an attempted
Coup d'état coup the
Prime Minister of Japan Prime Minister of
Japan Inukai Tsuyoshi is killed.
*
1934 - The
United States Department of Justice offers a $25,000 reward for
John Dillinger.
* 1934 -
KÄ?rlis Ulmanis establishes an authoritarian government in
Latvia.
*
1940 -
Nylon stockings go on sale for the first time in the
United States.
* 1940 -
World War II:
Germany German troops occupy
Amsterdam and invade Northern
France.
*
1941 - Baseball player
Joe DiMaggio starts his record-breaking 56-game hitting streak.
*
1942 -
World War II: In the
United States, a bill creating the
Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.
*
1943 -
Joseph Stalin dissolves the
Comintern (or ''Third International'').
*
1945 - Last skirmish of the
Second World War in Europe fought near
Prevalje,
Slovenia.
*
1948 -
Egypt,
Transjordan,
Lebanon,
Syria,
Iraq and
Saudi Arabia attack
Israel.
*
1951 - The Polish cultural attache in Paris,
Czeslaw Milosz, asks the French government for political asylum.
*
1955 -
Austrian Independence Treaty signed.
* 1955 -
First ascent of
Makalu, the world's fifth highest mountain.
*
1957 -
United Kingdom Britain tests its first
hydrogen bomb in
Operation Grapple.
*
1958 - The
Soviet Union launches
Sputnik program Sputnik 3.
*
1960 - The
Soviet Union launches
Sputnik program Sputnik 4.
*
1963 -
Mercury program:
USA America launches the last mission of the program,
Mercury 9 (on
June 12 NASA Administrator
James E. Webb told Congress the program was complete).
*
1964 -
The Smothers Brothers give their first concert in
Carnegie Hall in
New York City, New York New York City.
*
1970 -
The Beatles' last
vinyl record LP, ''
Let It Be (album) Let It Be'', is released in the
United States.
* 1970 - President
Richard Nixon appoints
Anna Mae Hays and
Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female
United States Army Generals.
* 1970 -
Philip Lafayette Gibbs and
James Earl Green killed at
Jackson State University by police during
student protests.
*
1972 - The island of
Okinawa, under US military governance since its
Battle of Okinawa conquest in
1945, reverts to
Japan Japanese control.
* 1972 - In
Laurel, Maryland,
Arthur Bremer shoots and paralyzes
Alabama Governor of Alabama Governor George Wallace while Wallace is campaigning to be
USA President American President.
*
1978 -
Lagumot Harris, having only been elected
President less than a month before, is replaced as the leader of the
republic of
Nauru. He is succeeded by
Hammer DeRoburt.
*
1981- Concert in
Caracas of
El Trabuco Venezolano and
Irakere (Second day).
*
1988 -
Soviet war in Afghanistan: After more than eight years of fighting, the
Red Army begins its withdrawal from
Afghanistan.
*
1990 - ''
Portrait of Doctor Gachet'' by
Vincent van Gogh is sold for a record $82.5 million, the
List of most expensive paintings most expensive painting at the time.
*
1991 -
Edith Cresson becomes
France's first female
Premier of France prime minister.
*
1992 - The
Genoa Expo '92 World's Fair opens in
Genoa,
Italy.
*
2004 - The largest known
prime number at the time of its discovery, 2
24036583 − 1, is found by Josh Findley and the
GIMPS collaborative effort.
Births
*
1567 - (baptism)
Claudio Monteverdi, Italian composer (d.
1643)
*
1720 -
Maximilian Hell, Slovakian astronomer (d.
1792)
*
1773 - Prince
Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, Austrian statesman (d.
1859)
*
1817 -
Debendranath Tagore, Indian religious reformer (d.
1905)
*
1856 -
L. Frank Baum, American author (d.
1919)
*
1857 -
Williamina Fleming, Scottish-born astronomer (d.
1911)
*
1859 -
Pierre Curie, French physicist,
Nobel Prize in Physics Nobel Prize laureate (d.
1906)
*
1862 -
Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian dramatist and narrator (d.
1931)
*
1890 -
Katherine Anne Porter, American author (d.
1980)
*
1891 -
Mikhail Bulgakov, Russian writer (d.
1940)
*
1892 -
Jimmy Wilde, boxer (d.
1969)
*
1895 -
William D. Byron, U.S. Congressman (d.
1941)
*
1898 -
Arletty, French model and actress (d.
1992)
*
1899 -
Jean-Etienne Valluy, French general (d.
1970)
*
1902 -
Richard J. Daley, Mayor of Chicago (d.
1976)
*
1905 -
Joseph Cotten, American actor (d.
1994)
*
1909 -
James Mason, English actor (d.
1984)
*
1911 -
Max Frisch, Swiss author (d.
1991)
*
1914 -
Tenzing Norgay, Nepalese sherpa (d.
1986)
*
1915 -
Paul Samuelson, American economist,
Nobel Prize in Economics Nobel Prize laureate
*
1918 -
Eddy Arnold, American singer
*
1922 -
Jakucho Setouchi, Japanese writer and Buddhist nun
*
1923 -
Richard Avedon, American photographer (d.
2004)
* 1923 -
John Lanchbery, English composer (d.
2003)
*
1926 -
Anthony Shaffer, English playwright (d.
2001)
* 1926 -
Peter Shaffer, English playwright
*
1930 -
Jasper Johns, American painter
*
1931 -
Ken Venturi, American golfer
*
1936 -
Anna Maria Alberghetti, Italian-born actress
* 1936 -
Hugh Romney, American clown and activist
* 1936 -
Ralph Steadman, British cartoonist
* 1936 -
Paul Zindel, American writer (d.
2003)
*
1937 -
Madeleine Albright,
U.S. Secretary of State
* 1937 -
Trini Lopez Trini López, American musician
*
1941 -
K.T. Oslin, American musician
*
1944 -
Ulrich Beck, German sociologist
*
1945 -
Duarte Pio, Duke of Braganza
* 1945 -
Lasse Berghagen, Swedish singer
*
1948 -
Brian Eno, English musician and record producer
*
1951 -
Chazz Palminteri, American actor
* 1951 -
Jonathan Richman, American musician
* 1951 -
Frank Wilczek, American physicist,
Nobel Prize in Physics Nobel Prize laureate
*
1953 -
George Brett (baseball) George Brett, baseball player
* 1953 -
Mike Oldfield, English composer
*
1955 -
Melinda Culea, American actress
*
1956 -
Dan Patrick, American sportscaster
*
1958 -
Ron Simmons, American professional wrestler
*
1959 -
Andrew Eldritch, English singer and songwriter (
The Sisters of Mercy)
* 1959 -
Kaokor Galaxy, Thai boxer
* 1959 -
Khaosai Galaxy, Thai boxer
*
1962 -
Melle Mel, American musician
*
1965 -
RaÃ, Brazilian footballer
*
1967 -
John Smoltz, baseball player
*
1969 -
Emmitt Smith, American football player
*
1970 -
Rod Smith, American football player
*
1972 -
David Charvet, French actor
*
1974 -
Andrew Johns, Australian rugby player
* 1974 -
Ahmet Zappa, American musician
*
1975 -
Ray Lewis (NFL) Ray Lewis, American football player
*
1976 -
Torraye Braggs, American basketball player
* 1976 -
Tyler Walker, baseball player
*
1978 -
Amy Chow, American gymnast
*
1981 -
Jamie-Lynn Sigler, American actress
*
1982 -
Veronica Campbell, Jamaican athlete
*
1983 -
Devin Bronson, American guitarist (
Avril Lavigne)
Deaths
*
1036 -
Emperor Go-Ichijo Emperor Go-IchijÅ? of Japan (b.
1008)
*
1157 -
Yury Dolgoruky, Russian prince
*
1174 -
Nur ad-Din, ruler of Syria (b.
1118)
*
1381 -
Eppelein von Gailingen, German robber baron
*
1470 -
Charles VIII of Sweden (b.
1409)
*
1585 -
Niwa Nagahide, Japanese warlord (b.
1535)
*
1591 -
Dmitry Ivanovich, Tsarevich (b.
1582)
*
1609 -
Giovanni Croce, Italian composer (b.
1557)
*
1634 -
Hendrick Avercamp, Dutch painter (b.
1585)
*
1698 -
Marie Champmeslé, French actress (b.
1642)
*
1699 -
Edward Petre, English Jesuit and privy councilor (b.
1631)
*
1714 -
Roger Elliott, British general and Governor of Gibraltar
*
1740 -
Ephraim Chambers, English encyclopaedist (b.
1680)
*
1760 -
Alaungpaya, King of Burma (b.
1711)
*
1773 -
Alban Butler, English Catholic priest and writer (b.
1710)
*
1782 -
Marquis of Pombal,
Prime Minister of Portugal (b.
1699)
*
1886 -
Emily Dickinson, American poet (b.
1830)
*
1924 -
Paul-Henri-Benjamin d'Estournelles de Constant, French diplomat, recipient of the
Nobel Peace Prize (b.
1852)
*
1935 -
Kazimir Malevich, Ukrainian artist (b.
1878)
*
1937 -
Phillip Snowden, British politician (b.
1864)
*
1940 -
Menno ter Braak , Dutch author and polemicist (b.
1902 )
*
1948 - Father
Edward Flanagan, American priest and founder of Boys Town (b.
1886)
*
1956 -
Austin Osman Spare, English magician (b.
1886)
*
1967 -
Edward Hopper, American painter (b.
1882)
*
1971 - Sir
Tyrone Guthrie, English director, producer, and writer (b.
1900)
*
1986 -
Theodore H. White, American writer (b.
1915)
*
1991 -
Andreas Floer, German mathematician (b.
1956)
*
1994 -
Gilbert Roland, Mexican actor (b.
1904)
*
1995 -
Eric Porter, British actor (b.
1928)
*
1996 -
Charles B. Fulton, American jurist (b.
1910)
*
1998 -
Earl Manigault, American basketball player (b.
1944)
*
2003 -
June Carter Cash, American musician and singer (b.
1929)
* 2003 -
George Francis (suspected mobster) George Francis, British gangster (b.
1940)
* 2003 -
Rik Van Steenbergen, Belgian cyclist (b.
1924)
*
2005 -
Les Bartley, lacrosse coach (b.
1954)
Holidays and observances
*
Feast day of the following
saints in the
Roman Catholic Church:
**
Denise
**
Saint Achillius
**
Dympna
**
Reticius
**
Jean-Baptiste de la Salle
*
Paraguay -
Independence Day. Celebrations for the anniversary of the independence begin on
Flag Day,
14 May.
*
Roman Empire -
Mercuralia in honor of
Mercury (mythology) Mercury held.
*International day of
family families.
*International day of
climate changes.
*International
conscientious objectors' day
*
Buddha's Birthday in
Hong Kong,
Macau and
South Korea (
2005)
*
United States -
Peace Officers Memorial Day
*
Slovenia - Day of
Slovenian armed forces
*
Mexico - Teacher's Day ''(
DÃa del Maestro)''
External links
-
BBC: On This Day
-
Today in History: May 15
----
May 14 -
May 16 -
April 15 -
June 15 –
historical anniversaries listing of all days
{{months}}
af:15 Mei
ar:15 مايو
an:15 de mayo
ast:15 de mayu
bg:15 май
be:15 траўнÑ?
bs:15. maj
ca:15 de maig
ceb:Mayo 15
cv:Çу, 15
co:15 di maghju
cs:15. květen
cy:15 Mai
da:15. maj
de:15. Mai
et:15. mai
el:15 ΜαÎ?ου
es:15 de mayo
eo:15-a de majo
eu:Maiatzaren 15
fo:15. mai
fr:15 mai
fy:15 maaie
fur:15 di Mai
ga:15 Bealtaine
gl:15 de maio
ko:5ì›” 15ì?¼
hr:15. svibnja
io:15 di mayo
ilo:Mayo 15
id:15 Mei
ia:15 de maio
ie:15 may
is:15. maÃ
it:15 maggio
he:15 במ×?×™
jv:15 Mei
ka:15 მ�ისი
csb:15 môja
ku:15'ê gulanê
la:15 Maii
lt:Gegužės 15
lb:15. Mee
li:15 mei
hu:Május 15
mk:15 мај
ml:മേയ� 15
ms:15 Mei
nl:15 mei
ja:5月15日
no:15. mai
nn:15. mai
oc:15 de mai
pl:15 maja
pt:15 de Maio
ro:15 mai
ru:15 маÑ?
sco:15 Mey
sq:15 Maj
scn:15 di maiu
simple:May 15
sk:15. máj
sl:15. maj
sr:15. мај
fi:15. toukokuuta
sv:15 maj
tl:Mayo 15
tt:15. May
te:మే 15
th:15 พฤษภาคม
vi:15 tháng 5
tr:15 Mayıs
uk:15 травнÑ?
wa:15 di may
war:Mayo 15
zh:5月15日
pam:Mayu 15
*** Shopping-Tip: May 15
