1915Battle
Battle event - February 15
Historic battle event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
Monday 12 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Birth of Galileo Galilei (1564) and Amber Riley born (1986), 422 years apart.
1 / 6 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- Police Begin Campaign to Run Down JaywalkersHall of Fame◆
- 1991Results PlusThe New York Times◆
- 2015'How long will this nightmare last?': first-hand account of Copenhagen gun attackThe Guardian◆
- 2013Whistleblower safety net 'endangering society' with false promisesThe Guardian◆
- 2013A meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people.Wikipedia◆
- 2013A 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1972Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 1898The United States Navy battleship USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana, Cuba, killing more than 260 people and precipitating the Spanish–American War.Wikipedia◆
- 1823James McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales.Wikipedia◆
- 1493Christopher Columbus wrote a letter widely distributed upon his return to Portugal that announced the results of his first voyage to the Americas.Wikipedia◆
- 1113Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller.Wikipedia◆
- 1899Tsar 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1898The 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1872First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.Wikipedia◆
- Police Begin Campaign to Run Down JaywalkersHall of Fame◆
- 1991Results PlusThe New York Times◆
- 2015'How long will this nightmare last?': first-hand account of Copenhagen gun attackThe Guardian◆
- 2013Whistleblower safety net 'endangering society' with false promisesThe Guardian◆
- 2013A meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people.Wikipedia◆
- 2013A 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1972Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.Wikipedia◆
- 1898The United States Navy battleship USS Maine exploded and sank in Havana, Cuba, killing more than 260 people and precipitating the Spanish–American War.Wikipedia◆
- 1823James McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales.Wikipedia◆
- 1493Christopher Columbus wrote a letter widely distributed upon his return to Portugal that announced the results of his first voyage to the Americas.Wikipedia◆
- 1113Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller.Wikipedia◆
- 1899Tsar 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1898The 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.Wikipedia◆
- 1872First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Amber Riley1986- Matt Groening1954
- Birth event - February 151915
- Galileo Galilei1564
15 February in history
5 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
1915Invention
Invention event - February 15
Historic invention event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1915Medical
Medical event - February 15
Historic medical event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1915Tragedy
Tragedy event - February 15
Historic tragedy event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1928Achievement
First solo flight across Atlantic by woman
Not - actually 1932 Amelia Earhart - but 15 Feb 1965 Canada adopts maple leaf flag.
Showing 1-5 of 5 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — February 15
2013 Oddly trueA meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2013 Oddly true
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 →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1972 First everSound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1898 Oddly trueThe 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 →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1823 First everJames McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2015The Guardian'How long will this nightmare last?': first-hand account of Copenhagen gun attackA participant in the freedom of speech debate targeted by the gunman tells of the moment the shooting started
Read on The Guardian →
2013The GuardianWhistleblower safety net 'endangering society' with false promisesFifteen years after its creation, the pioneering Public Interest Disclosure Act is criticised as offering scant prote…
Read on The Guardian →- 1991The New York TimesResults Plus
TENNIS Becker and Edberg to Gain Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg each fought off strong challenges yesterday before…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Verified RealPolice Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Source: Newspapers.comView clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? First ever
Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2013 Oddly true
A meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2013 Oddly true
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 →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 15 February — today is 12 October.
Born on this day
4
1564Birth
Birth of Galileo Galilei
Astronomer Galileo was born in Pisa - actually Feb 15 is correct.
1915Birth
Birth event - February 15
Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1915, noted in contemporary archives as significant.
1954Birth
Matt Groening born
Matt Groening was born. American creator of The Simpsons.
1986Birth
Amber Riley born
Amber Riley was born. American actress.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Assassinated
1968Death
Martin Luther King Jr. dies
Martin Luther King Jr., civil rights leader, died on this day in 1968. Assassinated in Memphis. Remembered as: Prominent leader in the American civil rights movement.
Assassinated
1980Death
John Lennon dies
John Lennon, musician, died on this day in 1980. Assassinated in New York City. Remembered as: Co-lead vocalist and founder of The Beatles.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Suicide
2016Death
Prince dies
Prince, musician, died on this day in 2016. Fentanyl overdose. Remembered as: Innovative artist known for his eclectic work and flamboyant stage presence.
Suicide
1994Death
Kurt Cobain dies
Kurt Cobain, musician, died on this day in 1994. Suicide by gunshot. Remembered as: Frontman of Nirvana, voice of a generation.
Famous birthdays
29 this weekToday · 15 February
- Amber RileyAmerican actress and singerBorn 1986 · 40 years ago today
- Matt GroeningAmerican cartoonist and animator (born 1954)Born 1954 · 72 years ago today
- BEBirth event - February 15Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1915, noted inBorn 1915 · 111 years ago today
- Galileo GalileiItalian physicist and astronomer (1564–1642)Born 1564 · 462 years ago today
Coming up this week
The WeekndCanadian singer and songwriter (born 1990)16 February · born 1990
Elizabeth OlsenAmerican actress (born 1989)16 February · born 1989
Mahershala AliAmerican actor (born 1974)16 February · born 1974- BEBirth event - February 16Historic birth event recorded on this date in 1916, noted in16 February · born 1916
Ed SheeranEnglish singer-songwriter (born 1991)17 February · born 1991
Paris HiltonAmerican media personality (born 1981)17 February · born 1981
Holiday15 February
National Flag of Canada Day
Commemorates the inauguration of Canada's iconic maple leaf flag in 1965.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 15 February.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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