Vintage News · Odd history for February 15

What Happened On February 15

Q: What happened on February 15?

2013: A meteor exploded (video featured) over Chelyabinsk Oblast, Russia, producing a shock wave that injured about 1,500 people. 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. 1972: Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time. 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. 1823: James McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales. 1493: Christopher Columbus wrote a letter widely distributed upon his return to Portugal that announced the results of his first voyage to the Americas. 1113: Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller. 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. 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. 1872: First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.

51 events and 186 births, refreshed daily. OddlyTrue's own archive for 15 February →

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10 odd things that happened on February 15

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
1972 First ever
Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1898 Oddly true
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 →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1823 First ever
James 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
1493 First ever
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 →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1113 Oddly true
Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1899 First ever
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 →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1898 Oddly true
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 →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1872 First ever
First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Observed today

2021Sixty 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. 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 →
2012Three hundred and sixty people die in a fire at a Honduran prison in the city of Comayagua. Wikipedia →
2010Two trains collide in the Halle train collision in Halle, Belgium, killing 19 and injuring 171 people. Wikipedia →
2003Protests 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. Wikipedia →
2003The last Ariane 4 rocket is launched from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying Intelsat 907. Wikipedia →
2001The first draft of the complete human genome is published in Nature. Wikipedia →
1996At 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. Wikipedia →
1996Then-Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien applies a chokehold to protester Bill Clennett, an incident later named the Shawinigan Handshake. Wikipedia →
1992Serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer is sentenced in Milwaukee to 15 terms of life in prison. Wikipedia →
1992Air Transport International Flight 805 crashes in Swanton, Ohio, near Toledo Express Airport, killing all four people on board. Wikipedia →
1991The Visegrád Group, establishing cooperation to move toward free-market systems, is signed by the leaders of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Wikipedia →
1989Soviet–Afghan War: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan. Wikipedia →
1982The drilling rig Ocean Ranger sinks during a storm off the coast of Newfoundland, killing 84 workers. Wikipedia →
1972Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time. Wikipedia →
1972José María Velasco Ibarra, serving as President of Ecuador for the fifth time, is overthrown by the military for the fourth time. Wikipedia →
1971The decimalisation of the currencies of the United Kingdom and Ireland is completed on Decimal Day. Wikipedia →
1970Dominicana 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. Wikipedia →
1965The maple leaf is adopted as the flag of Canada, replacing the Canadian Red Ensign flag. Wikipedia →
1961Sabena Flight 548 crashes in Belgium, killing 73, including the entire United States figure skating team along with several of their coaches and family members. Wikipedia →
1954Canada 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. Wikipedia →
1952King George VI of the United Kingdom is buried in St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle. Wikipedia →
1949Gerald 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. Wikipedia →
1946ENIAC, the first electronic general-purpose computer, is formally dedicated at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: The assault on Monte Cassino, Italy, begins. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: The Narva Offensive begins. Wikipedia →
1942World 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. Wikipedia →
1940Paul Creston's Saxophone Sonata is officially premiered at the Carnegie Chamber Hall by saxophonist Cecil Leeson, who had commissioned it, and the composer. Wikipedia →
1933In 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. Wikipedia →
1925The 1925 serum run to Nome: The second delivery of serum arrives in Nome, Alaska. Wikipedia →
1923Greece becomes the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar. Wikipedia →
1909The Flores Theater fire in Acapulco, Mexico, kills 250. 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 →
1879Women's rights: US President Rutherford B. Hayes signs a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. Wikipedia →
1872First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers. Wikipedia →
1870Stevens Institute of Technology is founded in New Jersey, US, and offers the first Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering. Wikipedia →
1862American 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. Wikipedia →
1852The Helsinki Cathedral (known as St. Nicholas' Church at time) is officially inaugurated in Helsinki, Finland. Wikipedia →
1835Serbia's Sretenje Constitution briefly comes into effect. Wikipedia →
1798The Roman Republic is proclaimed after Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a general of Napoleon, had invaded the city of Rome five days earlier. Wikipedia →
1764The city of St. Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana (now in Missouri, USA). Wikipedia →
1690Constantin 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. Wikipedia →
1637Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor. Wikipedia →
1493While 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. Wikipedia →
1214During the Anglo-French War (1213–1214), an English invasion force led by John, King of England, lands at La Rochelle in France. Wikipedia →
1113Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers. Wikipedia →
1002At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy. Wikipedia →
706Byzantine emperor Justinian II has his predecessors Leontios and Tiberios III publicly executed in the Hippodrome of Constantinople. Wikipedia →
590Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia. Wikipedia →
438Roman emperor Theodosius II publishes the law codex Codex Theodosianus. Wikipedia →

From The Guardian Archives — On This Day

2015The Guardian
'How long will this nightmare last?': first-hand account of Copenhagen gun attack
A participant in the freedom of speech debate targeted by the gunman tells of the moment the shooting started
Read on The Guardian →
2013The Guardian
Whistleblower safety net 'endangering society' with false promises
Fifteen years after its creation, the pioneering Public Interest Disclosure Act is criticised as offering scant prote…
Read on The Guardian →
1991The New York Times
Results 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.