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On This Day in History — June 15
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Highlights of June 15
- 2006 — US president George W. Bush designated 140,000 square miles (360,000 km2) around the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands as the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, now one of the world's largest protected areas. Read more
- 1996 — The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army detonated a truck bomb in the commercial centre of Manchester, England, injuring more than 200 people and causing widespread damage to buildings. Read more
- 1995 — Western Greece was struck by an earthquake registering 6.4–6.5 Mw that killed 26 people. Read more
- 1991 — An eruption of Mount Pinatubo (pictured) in the Philippines deposited large amounts of particulate matter into the atmosphere, enough to briefly lower global temperatures by about 0.5 °C (0.9 °F). Read more
- 1978 — King Hussein of Jordan married American Lisa Halaby, who became known as Queen Noor of Jordan (pictured). Read more
- 1944 — World War II: The United States Army Air Forces began the first air raid of its strategic bombing campaign against the Japanese archipelago, although little damage was caused. Read more
- 1921 — Bessie Coleman (pictured) became the first Black person to earn an international pilot's license from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale. Read more
- 1920 — Three African-American circus workers were lynched by a mob in Duluth, Minnesota, a crime that shocked the country for having taken place in the Northern United States. Read more
- 1896 — A magnitude-8.5 earthquake and a subsequent tsunami struck Japan, killing at least 22,000 people and destroying about 9,000 homes. Read more
- 1878 — Eadweard Muybridge took a series of photographs to prove that all four feet of a horse leave the ground when it gallops (animation pictured), which became the basis of motion pictures Read more
- 1859 — The shooting of a pig in the San Juan Islands led to the so-called Pig War over the border between the United States and British North America. Read more
- 1800 — War of the Second Coalition: The signing of the Convention of Alessandria brought temporary peace between France and Austria. Read more
- 1520 — Leo X issued the papal bull Exsurge Domine, censuring 41 propositions from Martin Luther's Ninety-five Theses and subsequent writings, and threatening him with excommunication unless he recanted. Read more
- 1215 — King John of England and a group of rebel barons agreed on the text of Magna Carta, an influential charter of rights. Read more
- 763 BC — The Bur-Sagale eclipse was observed in Assyria, the earliest solar eclipse mentioned in historical sources that has been successfully identified. Read more
Events
- 2013 — A bomb explodes on a bus in the Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least 25 people and wounding 22 others. Read more
- 1996 — The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonates a powerful truck bomb in the middle of Manchester, England, devastating the city centre and injuring 200 people. Read more
- 1992 — The United States Supreme Court rules in United States v. Álvarez-Machaín that it is permissible for the United States to forcibly extradite suspects in foreign countries and bring them to the United States for trial, without approval from those other countries. Read more
- 1991 — In the Philippines, Mount Pinatubo erupts in the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, killing over 800 people. Read more
- 1988 — The Ariane 4 rocket is launched on its maiden flight. Read more
- 1977 — After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain. Read more
- 1972 — Cathay Pacific Flight 700Z is destroyed by a bomb over Pleiku, Vietnam (then South Vietnam) and kills 81 people. Read more
- 1944 — World War II: The United States invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate. Read more
- 1944 — In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America. Read more
- 1940 — World War II: Operation Aerial begins: Allied troops start to evacuate France, following Germany's takeover of Paris and most of the nation. Read more
- 1920 — Following the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites, Northern Schleswig is transferred from Germany to Denmark. Read more
- 1919 — John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland. Read more
- 1904 — A fire aboard the steamboat SS General Slocum in New York City's East River kills 1,000. Read more
- 1896 — One of the deadliest tsunamis in Japan's history kills more than 22,000 people. Read more
- 1864 — American Civil War: The Second Battle of Petersburg begins. Read more
- 1859 — Ambiguity in the Oregon Treaty leads to the "Northwestern Boundary Dispute" between American and British/Canadian settlers. Read more
- 1846 — The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1818, westward to the Pacific Ocean. Read more
- 1834 — The looting of Safed commences. Read more
- 1826 — In the Auspicious Incident, the Janissary mutiny against Sultan Mahmud II is defeated and the Janissary corps is disbanded as a result. Read more
- 1804 — New Hampshire approves the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratifying the document. Read more
- 1607 — Virginia colonists finish building James's Fort, to defend against Spanish and Native American attacks. Read more
- 1567 — Mary, Queen of Scots, and her new husband Bothwell are confronted by disgruntled Scottish nobles in the encounter at Carberry Hill. The stand-off ends with the surrender of queen Mary. Read more
- 1520 — Pope Leo X threatens to excommunicate Martin Luther in Exsurge Domine. Read more
- 1410 — In a decisive battle at Onon River, the Mongol forces of Oljei Temur were decimated by the Chinese armies of the Yongle Emperor. Read more
- 1410 — Ottoman Interregnum: Süleyman Çelebi defeats his brother Musa Çelebi outside the Byzantine capital, Constantinople. Read more
- 1389 — The Ottomans under Sultan Murad I defeat a Serb army under Lazar of Serbia in the battle of Kosovo. Both leaders are killed in the battle. Read more
- 1312 — At the Battle of Rozgony, King Charles I of Hungary wins a decisive victory over the family of Palatine Amade Aba. Read more
- 1310 — The Tiepolo conspiracy, seeking to seize power in the Republic of Venice, is thwarted after bloody street clashes in Venice. The suppression of the revolt will lead to the creation of the Council of Ten. Read more
- 1285 — The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice conclude a treaty. Apart from agreeing on a ten year truce, the Venetians are alloted a commercial quarter in Constantinople and are restored to earlier privileges. Read more
- 1246 — With the death of Frederick II, Duke of Austria, the Babenberg dynasty ends in Austria. Read more
- 1219 — Northern Crusades: Danish victory at the Battle of Lindanise (modern-day Tallinn) establishes the Danish Duchy of Estonia. Read more
- 1215 — King John of England puts his seal to Magna Carta. Read more
- 1184 — The naval Battle of Fimreite is won by the Birkebeiner pretender Sverre Sigurdsson. Sigurdsson takes the Norwegian throne and King Magnus V of Norway is killed. Read more
- 923 — Battle of Soissons: King Robert I of France is killed and King Charles the Simple is arrested by the supporters of Duke Rudolph of Burgundy. Read more
- 844 — Louis II is crowned as king of Italy at Rome by pope Sergius II. Read more
- 763 BC — Assyrians record a solar eclipse that is later used to fix the chronology of Mesopotamian history. Read more
Born on June 15
- 2003 — Pablo Barrios, Spanish footballer Read more
- 1997 — Madison Kocian, American gymnast Read more
- 1996 — Aurora, Norwegian singer-songwriter Read more
- 1996 — Tia-Adana Belle, Barbadian athlete Read more
- 1996 — Hoshi, South Korean singer and dancer Read more
- 1994 — Iñaki Williams, Basque-Ghanaian footballer Read more
- 1993 — Cooper Kupp, American football player Read more
- 1993 — Irfan Hadžić, Bosnian footballer Read more
- 1992 — Michał Kopczyński, Polish footballer Read more
- 1992 — Mohamed Salah, Egyptian footballer Read more
- 1992 — Dafne Schippers, Dutch heptathlete and sprinter Read more
- 1991 — Jessie Ennis, American actress, director, and writer Read more
- 1989 — Bayley, American wrestler Read more
- 1989 — Víctor Cabedo, Spanish cyclist (died 2012) Read more
- 1989 — Bryan Clauson, American race car driver (died 2016) Read more
- 1989 — Lewis Hancox, English graphic novelist, social media personality and filmmaker Read more
- 1986 — James Maloney, Australian rugby league player Read more
- 1986 — Trevor Plouffe, American baseball player Read more
- 1985 — Ashley Nicole Black, American comedian, actress, and writer Read more
- 1984 — Luke Hodge, Australian footballer Read more
- 1984 — Eva Hrdinová, Czech tennis player Read more
- 1984 — Tim Lincecum, American baseball player Read more
- 1984 — Edison Toloza, Colombian footballer Read more
- 1983 — Laura Imbruglia, Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Read more
- 1983 — Josh McGuire, Canadian fencer Read more
- 1982 — Mike Delany, New Zealand rugby player Read more
- 1982 — Abdur Razzak, Bangladeshi cricketer Read more
- 1981 — John Paintsil, Ghanaian footballer Read more
- 1980 — David Lyons, Australian rugby player Read more
- 1979 — Yulia Nestsiarenka, Belarusian sprinter Read more
- 1979 — Christian Rahn, German footballer Read more
- 1979 — Charles Zwolsman Jr., Dutch racing driver Read more
- 1978 — Wilfred Bouma, Dutch footballer Read more
- 1978 — Zach Day, American baseball player Read more
- 1977 — Michael Doleac, American basketball player and manager Read more
- 1976 — Jiří Ryba, Czech decathlete Read more
- 1973 — Tore Andre Flo, Norwegian footballer and coach Read more
- 1973 — Neil Patrick Harris, American actor and singer Read more
- 1973 — Pia Miranda, Australian actress Read more
- 1973 — Greg Vaughan, American actor and model Read more
Died on June 15
- 2024 — James Kent, American chef (born 1979) Read more
- 2024 — Matija Sarkic, English-born Montenegrin footballer (born 1997) Read more
- 2023 — Glenda Jackson, English actress and politician (born 1936) Read more
- 2019 — Franco Zeffirelli, Italian film director (born 1923) Read more
- 2014 — Jacques Bergerac, French actor and businessman (born 1927) Read more
- 2013 — Heinz Flohe, German footballer and manager (born 1948) Read more
- 2013 — José Froilán González, Argentinian racing driver (born 1922) Read more
- 2013 — Dennis O'Rourke, Australian director and producer (born 1945) Read more
- 2013 — Kenneth G. Wilson, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1936) Read more
- 2012 — Phillip D. Cagan, American economist and author (born 1927) Read more
- 2012 — Barry MacKay, American tennis player and sportscaster (born 1935) Read more
- 2012 — Israel Nogueda Otero, Mexican economist and politician, 10th Governor of Guerrero (born 1935) Read more
- 2012 — Jerry Tubbs, American football player and coach (born 1935) Read more
- 2011 — Bill Haast, American herpetologist and academic (born 1910) Read more
- 2008 — Ray Getliffe, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1914) Read more
- 2007 — Hugo Corro, Argentine boxer (born 1953) Read more
- 2006 — Raymond Devos, Belgian-French comedian and clown (born 1922) Read more
- 2006 — Herb Pearson, New Zealand cricketer (born 1910) Read more
- 2005 — Suzanne Flon, French actress (born 1918) Read more
- 2004 — Ahmet Piriştina, Turkish politician and mayor of İzmir (born 1952) Read more
- 2003 — Hume Cronyn, Canadian-American actor (born 1911) Read more
- 2002 — Choi Hong Hi, South Korean general and martial artist, founded Taekwondo (born 1918) Read more
- 2001 — Henri Alekan, French cinematographer (born 1909) Read more
- 2000 — Jules Roy, French author, poet, and playwright (born 1907) Read more
- 1999 — Omer Côté, Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1906) Read more
- 1996 — Ella Fitzgerald, American singer and actress (born 1917) Read more
- 1996 — Sir Fitzroy Maclean, 1st Baronet, Scottish general and politician (born 1911) Read more
- 1996 — Dick Murdoch, American wrestler (born 1946) Read more
- 1995 — John Vincent Atanasoff, American physicist and inventor, invented the Atanasoff–Berry computer (born 1903) Read more
- 1994 — Manos Hatzidakis, Greek composer and theorist (born 1925) Read more
- 1993 — John Connally, American commander, lawyer, and politician, 61st United States Secretary of the Treasury (born 1917) Read more
- 1993 — James Hunt, English racing driver and sportscaster (born 1947) Read more
- 1992 — Chuck Menville, American animator, producer, and screenwriter (born 1940) Read more
- 1992 — Brett Whiteley, Australian painter (born 1939) Read more
- 1991 — Happy Chandler, American businessman and politician, 49th Governor of Kentucky (born 1898) Read more
- 1991 — Arthur Lewis, Saint Lucian economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1915) Read more
- 1989 — Maurice Bellemare, Canadian lawyer and politician (born 1912) Read more
- 1989 — Ray McAnally, Irish actor (born 1926) Read more
- 1985 — Andy Stanfield, American sprinter (born 1927) Read more
- 1984 — Meredith Willson, American playwright, composer, and conductor (born 1902) Read more
Holidays & observances
Arbor Day (Costa Rica); Christian feast day:
Abraham of Clermont (or of St Cyriacus); Christian feast day:
Alice (or Adelaide) of Schaerbeek; Christian feast day:
Amos; Christian feast day:
Blessed Albertina Berkenbrock; Christian feast day:
Blessed Clement Vismara; Christian feast day:
Edburga of Winchester; Christian feast day:
Evelyn Underhill (Church of England and The Episcopal Church); Christian feast day:
Germaine Cousin; Christian feast day:
Landelin (of Crespin or of Lobbes); Christian feast day:
Blessed Peter Snow; Christian feast day:
Trillo; Christian feast day:
Vitus (Guy), Modestus and Crescentia; Christian feast day:
June 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Day of Valdemar and Reunion Day (Flag Day) (Denmark); Engineer's Day (Italy); Global Wind Day (international); National Beer Day (United Kingdom); National Salvation Day (Azerbaijan)
Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “June 15”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.