On This Day in History — February 15

Highlights of February 15

• 2018 — Following nationwide protests, Hailemariam Desalegn announced his resignation as prime minister of Ethiopia, remaining in post as a caretaker until he was succeeded by Abiy Ahmed. Read more
• 2013 — A meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people. Read more
• 2010 — Two passenger trains collided in Halle, Belgium, when one driver failed to stop at a red signal, resulting in 19 deaths and 171 injuries. Read more
• 2003 — In one of the largest anti-war rallies in history, millions around the world in approximately 800 cities took part in protests against the impending invasion of Iraq. Read more
• 1999 — Abdullah Öcalan, one of the founding members of the militant organization the Kurdistan Workers' Party, was arrested by Turkish security forces in Nairobi, Kenya. Read more
• 1996 — A Long March 3B rocket carrying the communications satellite Intelsat 708 crashed immediately after launch from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, China, destroying a nearby town and killing an unknown number of inhabitants. Read more
• 1995 — Kevin Mitnick, the most wanted computer hacker at the time in the U.S., was arrested and charged with computer fraud and wire fraud. Read more
• 1982 — Murder of four anti-apartheid student activists by South African government forces, who decades later were the first to be indicted for the crime of apartheid. Read more
• 1979 — Don Dunstan (pictured) resigned as Premier of South Australia, ending a decade of sweeping social liberalisation. Read more
• 1976 — The first constitution since the Cuban Revolution, providing for a system of government and law based on those of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, was adopted by a national referendum. Read more
• 1965 — Canada adopted the Maple Leaf flag, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign. Read more
• 1961 — All 72 people on board Sabena Flight 548, including the entire U.S. figure-skating team, and one person on the ground were killed when the aircraft crashed on approach to Brussels Airport. Read more
• 1949 — Gerald Lankester Harding and Roland de Vaux began excavations at Cave 1 of the Qumran Caves in the West Bank, the location of the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls. Read more
• 1942 — Second World War: Japanese forces led by General Tomoyuki Yamashita captured Singapore with the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. Read more
• 1940 — The official premiere of Paul Creston's Saxophone Sonata took place at the Carnegie Chamber Hall, with saxophonist Cecil Leeson, who commissioned the work, and Creston on piano. Read more
• 1915 — Sepoys of Indian Muslim background mutinied against their British officers in Singapore. Read more
• 1907 — Japan and the United States signed a gentleman's agreement whereby the former would not permit further emigration to the U.S., while the latter would not limit Japanese immigration. Read more
• 1906 — A team of Italian archaeologists led by Ernesto Schiaparelli discovered the tomb of Kha and Merit (pictured), an ancient Egyptian foreman and his wife, in the workmen's village of Deir el-Medina. Read more
• 1900 — Second Boer War: British cavalry led by John French defeated Boer forces to end a 124-day siege of Kimberley in present-day South Africa. Read more
• 1898 — The United States Navy battleship USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana, Cuba, killing more than 260 people and precipitating the Spanish–American War. Read more
• 1823 — James McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales. Read more
• 1796 — French Revolutionary Wars: The invasion of Ceylon ended with Johan van Angelbeek, the Batavian governor of the island, surrendering Colombo to British forces. Read more
• 1763 — Prussia, Saxony and the Habsburg monarchy signed the Treaty of Hubertusburg, ending the Third Silesian War. Read more
• 1493 — Christopher Columbus wrote a letter widely distributed upon his return to Portugal that announced the results of his first voyage to the Americas. Read more
• 1113 — Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller. Read more
• 438 — The Codex Theodosianus, a compilation of the laws of the Roman Empire, was published. Read more

Events

• 2021 — Sixty people drown and hundreds are missing after a boat sinks on the Congo River near the village of Longola Ekoti, Mai-Ndombe Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read more
• 2013 — A meteor explodes over Russia, injuring 1,500 people as a shock wave blows out windows and rocks buildings. This happens unexpectedly only hours before the expected closest ever approach of the larger and unrelated asteroid 2012 DA14. Read more
• 2012 — Three hundred and sixty people die in a fire at a Honduran prison in the city of Comayagua. Read more
• 2010 — Two trains collide in the Halle train collision in Halle, Belgium, killing 19 and injuring 171 people. Read more
• 2003 — Protests against the Iraq war take place in over 600 cities worldwide. It is estimated that between eight million and 30 million people participate, making this the largest peace demonstration in history. Read more
• 2003 — The last Ariane 4 rocket is launched from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying Intelsat 907. Read more
• 2001 — The first draft of the complete human genome is published in Nature. Read more
• 1996 — At the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in China, a Long March 3B rocket carrying Intelsat 708 veers off course and crashes into a rural village after liftoff, killing somewhere between six and 100 people. Read more
• 1996 — Then-Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien applies a chokehold to protester Bill Clennett, an incident later named the Shawinigan Handshake. Read more
• 1992 — Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced in Milwaukee to 15 terms of life in prison. Read more
• 1992 — Air Transport International Flight 805 crashes in Swanton, Ohio, near Toledo Express Airport, killing all four people on board. Read more
• 1991 — The Visegrád Group, establishing cooperation to move toward free-market systems, is signed by the leaders of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Read more
• 1989 — Soviet–Afghan War: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan. Read more
• 1982 — The drilling rig Ocean Ranger sinks during a storm off the coast of Newfoundland, killing 84 workers. Read more
• 1972 — Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time. Read more
• 1972 — José María Velasco Ibarra, serving as President of Ecuador for the fifth time, is overthrown by the military for the fourth time. Read more
• 1971 — The decimalisation of the currencies of the United Kingdom and Ireland is completed on Decimal Day. Read more
• 1970 — Dominicana de Aviación Flight 603 crashes into the Caribbean Sea after takeoff from Las Américas International Airport, killing 102, including members of the Puerto Rico women's national volleyball team and lightweight boxer Carlos Cruz. Read more
• 1965 — The maple leaf is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign flag. Read more
• 1961 — Sabena Flight 548 crashes in Belgium, killing 73, including the entire United States figure skating team along with several of their coaches and family members. Read more
• 1954 — Canada and the United States agree to construct the Distant Early Warning Line, a system of radar stations in the far northern Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska. Read more
• 1952 — King George VI of the United Kingdom is buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Read more
• 1949 — Gerald Lankester Harding and Roland de Vaux begin excavations at Cave 1 of the Qumran Caves, where they will eventually discover the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls. Read more
• 1946 — ENIAC, the first electronic general-purpose computer, is formally dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: The assault on Monte Cassino, Italy, begins. Read more
• 1944 — World War II: The Narva Offensive begins. Read more
• 1942 — World War II: Fall of Singapore. Following an assault by Japanese forces, the British General Arthur Percival surrenders. About 80,000 Indian, United Kingdom and Australian soldiers become prisoners of war, the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history. Read more
• 1940 — Paul Creston's Saxophone Sonata is officially premiered at the Carnegie Chamber Hall by saxophonist Cecil Leeson, who had commissioned it, and the composer. Read more
• 1933 — In Miami, Giuseppe Zangara attempts to assassinate US President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, but instead shoots Chicago mayor Anton J. Cermak, who dies of his wounds on March 6. Read more
• 1925 — The 1925 serum run to Nome: The second delivery of serum arrives in Nome, Alaska. Read more
• 1923 — Greece becomes the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar. Read more
• 1909 — The Flores Theater fire in Acapulco, Mexico, kills 250. Read more
• 1899 — Tsar Nicholas II of Russia issues a declaration known as the February Manifesto, which reduces the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland, thus beginning the first period of oppression. Read more
• 1898 — The battleship USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor in Cuba, killing about 274 of the ship's roughly 354 crew. The disaster pushes the United States to declare war on Spain. Read more
• 1879 — Women's rights: US President Rutherford B. Hayes signs a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Read more
• 1872 — First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers. Read more
• 1870 — Stevens Institute of Technology is founded in New Jersey, US, and offers the first Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering. Read more
• 1862 — American Civil War: Confederates commanded by Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd attack General Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces besieging Fort Donelson in Tennessee. Unable to break the fort's encirclement, the Confederates surrender the following day. Read more
• 1852 — The Helsinki Cathedral (known as St. Nicholas' Church at time) is officially inaugurated in Helsinki, Finland. Read more
• 1835 — Serbia's Sretenje Constitution briefly comes into effect. Read more
• 1798 — The Roman Republic is proclaimed after Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a general of Napoleon, had invaded the city of Rome five days earlier. Read more
• 1764 — The city of St. Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana (now in Missouri, USA). Read more
• 1690 — Constantin Cantemir, Prince of Moldavia, and the Holy Roman Empire sign a secret treaty in Sibiu, stipulating that Moldavia would support the actions led by the House of Habsburg against the Ottoman Empire. Read more
• 1637 — Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Read more
• 1493 — While on board the Niña, Christopher Columbus writes an open letter (widely distributed upon his return to Portugal) describing his discoveries and the unexpected items he came across in the New World. Read more
• 1214 — During the Anglo-French War (1213–1214), an English invasion force led by John, King of England, lands at La Rochelle in France. Read more
• 1113 — Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers. Read more
• 1002 — At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy. Read more
• 706 — Byzantine emperor Justinian II has his predecessors Leontios and Tiberios III publicly executed in the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Read more
• 590 — Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia. Read more
• 438 — Roman emperor Theodosius II publishes the law codex Codex Theodosianus. Read more

Born on February 15

• 2004 — Šimon Nemec, Slovak ice hockey player Read more
• 2000 — Jakub Kiwior, Polish footballer Read more
• 1998 — Zachary Gordon, American actor Read more
• 1998 — George Russell, English racing driver Read more
• 1997 — Derrick Jones Jr., American basketball player Read more
• 1997 — Justin Reid, American football player Read more
• 1995 — Megan Thee Stallion, American rapper Read more
• 1994 — Sodapoppin, American Twitch streamer and internet personality Read more
• 1993 — Ravi, South Korean rapper Read more
• 1993 — Geoffrey Kondogbia, Central African footballer Read more
• 1993 — Manuel Lanzini, Argentine footballer Read more
• 1991 — Ángel Sepúlveda, Mexican footballer Read more
• 1991 — Rich Swann, American wrestler Read more
• 1990 — Callum Turner, English actor Read more
• 1989 — Mark Canha, American baseball player Read more
• 1988 — Papu Gómez, Argentine footballer Read more
• 1988 — Rui Patrício, Portuguese footballer Read more
• 1986 — Valeri Bojinov, Bulgarian footballer Read more
• 1986 — Johnny Cueto, Dominican baseball player Read more
• 1986 — Amber Riley, American actress and singer Read more
• 1986 — Laura Sallés, Andorran judoka Read more
• 1985 — Serkan Kırıntılı, Turkish footballer Read more
• 1985 — Natalie Morales, American actress and director Read more
• 1984 — Gary Clark Jr., American singer-songwriter and musician Read more
• 1984 — Nate Schierholtz, American baseball player Read more
• 1983 — Eddie Basden, American basketball player Read more
• 1983 — Don Cowie, Scottish footballer Read more
• 1983 — David Degen, Swiss footballer Read more
• 1983 — Philipp Degen, Swiss footballer Read more
• 1983 — Russell Martin, Canadian baseball player Read more
• 1982 — Shameka Christon, American basketball player Read more
• 1982 — James Yap, Filipino basketball player Read more
• 1981 — Heurelho Gomes, Brazilian footballer Read more
• 1981 — Matt Hoopes, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
• 1981 — Rita Jeptoo, Kenyan runner Read more
• 1981 — Diego Martínez, Mexican footballer Read more
• 1981 — Vivek Shraya, Canadian singer and songwriter Read more
• 1980 — Conor Oberst, American singer-songwriter Read more
• 1979 — Hamish Marshall, New Zealand cricketer Read more
• 1979 — James Marshall, New Zealand cricketer Read more

Died on February 15

• 2026 — Robert Duvall, American actor and filmmaker (born 1931) Read more
• 2025 — George Armitage, American film director (born 1942) Read more
• 2025 — Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, Portuguese businessman (born 1937) Read more
• 2025 — Muhsin Hendricks, South African imam, Islamic scholar and LGBT activist (born 1967) Read more
• 2023 — Raquel Welch, American actress and singer (born 1940) Read more
• 2022 — Bappi Lahiri, Indian singer, composer and record producer (born 1952) Read more
• 2022 — P.J. O'Rourke, American author, humorist, and journalist (born 1947) Read more
• 2020 — Caroline Flack, English actress and TV presenter (born 1979) Read more
• 2019 — Lee Radziwill, American socialite (born 1933) Read more
• 2017 — Stuart McLean, Canadian radio broadcaster (born 1948) Read more
• 2016 — George Gaynes, Finnish-American actor (born 1917) Read more
• 2016 — Vanity, Canadian-American singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress (born 1959) Read more
• 2015 — Haron Amin, Afghan diplomat, Afghan Ambassador to Japan (born 1969) Read more
• 2015 — Arnaud de Borchgrave, American journalist and author (born 1926) Read more
• 2015 — Steve Montador, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1979) Read more
• 2014 — Thelma Estrin, American computer scientist and engineer (born 1924) Read more
• 2014 — Christopher Malcolm, Scottish-Canadian actor, director, and producer (born 1946) Read more
• 2013 — Sanan Kachornprasart, Thai general and politician (born 1935) Read more
• 2013 — Ahmed Rajib Haider, Bangladeshi atheist blogger Read more
• 2012 — Cyril Domb, English-Israeli physicist and academic (born 1920) Read more
• 2010 — Jeanne M. Holm, American general (born 1921) Read more
• 2008 — Johnny Weaver, American wrestler and sportscaster (born 1935) Read more
• 2007 — Walker Edmiston, American actor (born 1925) Read more
• 2007 — Ray Evans, American songwriter (born 1915) Read more
• 2005 — Pierre Bachelet, French singer-songwriter (born 1944) Read more
• 2005 — Sam Francis, American historian and journalist (born 1947) Read more
• 2004 — Jens Evensen, Norwegian lawyer, judge, and politician, Norwegian Minister of Trade (born 1917) Read more
• 2002 — Howard K. Smith, American journalist and actor (born 1914) Read more
• 2002 — Kevin Smith, New Zealand actor (born 1963) Read more
• 2000 — Angus MacLean, Canadian commander and politician, 25th Premier of Prince Edward Island (born 1914) Read more
• 1999 — Henry Way Kendall, American physicist and mountaineer, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1926) Read more
• 1998 — Martha Gellhorn, American journalist and author (born 1908) Read more
• 1996 — McLean Stevenson, American actor (born 1927) Read more
• 1992 — María Elena Moyano, Peruvian activist (born 1960) Read more
• 1992 — William Schuman, American composer and academic (born 1910) Read more
• 1988 — Richard Feynman, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1918) Read more
• 1984 — Ethel Merman, American actress and singer (born 1908) Read more
• 1981 — Mike Bloomfield, American guitarist and songwriter (born 1943) Read more
• 1981 — Karl Richter, German organist and conductor (born 1926) Read more
• 1974 — Kurt Atterberg, Swedish composer and engineer (born 1887) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Sopoćko; Christian feast day: Claude de la Colombière; Christian feast day: Faustinus and Jovita; Christian feast day: Oswiu; Christian feast day: Quinidius; Christian feast day: Sigfrid of Sweden; Christian feast day: Thomas Bray (Episcopal Church); Christian feast day: Walfrid; Christian feast day: 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya; Christian feast day: February 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); International Duties Memorial Day (Russia, regional); John Frum Day (Vanuatu); Liberation Day (Afghanistan); National Flag of Canada Day (Canada); Parinirvana Day, also celebrated on February 8. (Mahayana Buddhism); Statehood Day (Serbia), also observed by the Republic of Srpska since 2025.; Susan B. Anthony Day (Florida, United States); The ENIAC Day (Philadelphia, United States); Total Defence Day (Singapore)

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