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On This Day

March 15

YEAR 2026

Four members of a Palestinian family are shot dead in Tammun by the Israeli military.

Four members of a Palestinian family are shot dead in Tammun by the Israeli military.

YEAR 2022

The 2022 Sri Lankan protests begins amidst Sri Lanka's economic collapse.

The 2022 Sri Lankan protests begins amidst Sri Lanka's economic collapse.

YEAR 2019

Beginning of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.

Beginning of the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests.

YEAR 2019

Approximately 1.4 million young people in 123 countries go on strike to protest climate change.

Approximately 1.4 million young people in 123 countries go on strike to protest climate change.

YEAR 2019

Fifty-one people are killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings.

Fifty-one people are killed in the Christchurch mosque shootings.

YEAR 2011

Beginning of the Syrian revolution.

Beginning of the Syrian revolution.

YEAR 2008

Stockpiles of obsolete ammunition explode at an ex-military ammunition depot in the village of Gërdec, Albania, killing 26 people.

Stockpiles of obsolete ammunition explode at an ex-military ammunition depot in the village of Gërdec, Albania, killing 26 people.

YEAR 1991

Cold War: The Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany comes into effect, granting full sovereignty to the Federal Republic of Germany.

Cold War: The Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany comes into effect, granting full sovereignty to the Federal Republic of Germany.

YEAR 1990

Mikhail Gorbachev is elected as the first and only President of the Soviet Union.

Mikhail Gorbachev is elected as the first and only President of the Soviet Union.

YEAR 1986

Collapse of Hotel New World: Thirty-three people die when the Hotel New World in Singapore collapses.

Collapse of Hotel New World: Thirty-three people die when the Hotel New World in Singapore collapses.

YEAR 1978

Somalia and Ethiopia sign a truce to end the Ethio-Somali War.

Somalia and Ethiopia sign a truce to end the Ethio-Somali War.

YEAR 1974

Fifteen people are killed when Sterling Airways Flight 901, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, catches fire following a landing gear collapse at Mehrabad Inter...

Fifteen people are killed when Sterling Airways Flight 901, a Sud Aviation Caravelle, catches fire following a landing gear collapse at Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran, Iran.

YEAR 1965

President Lyndon B. Johnson, responding to the Selma crisis, tells the U.S. Congress "We shall overcome" while advocating the Voting Rights Act.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, responding to the Selma crisis, tells the U.S. Congress "We shall overcome" while advocating the Voting Rights Act.

YEAR 1961

At the 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, South Africa announces that it will withdraw from the Commonwealth when the South African Consti...

At the 1961 Commonwealth Prime Ministers' Conference, South Africa announces that it will withdraw from the Commonwealth when the South African Constitution of 1961 comes into effect.

YEAR 1951

The Iranian oil industry is nationalized.

The Iranian oil industry is nationalized.

YEAR 1943

World War II: Third Battle of Kharkiv: The Germans retake the city of Kharkiv from the Soviet armies.

World War II: Third Battle of Kharkiv: The Germans retake the city of Kharkiv from the Soviet armies.

YEAR 1939

Germany occupies Czechoslovakia.

Germany occupies Czechoslovakia.

YEAR 1939

Carpatho-Ukraine declares itself an independent republic, but is annexed by Hungary the next day.

Carpatho-Ukraine declares itself an independent republic, but is annexed by Hungary the next day.

YEAR 1927

The first Women's Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge takes place on The Isis in Oxford.

The first Women's Boat Race between the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge takes place on The Isis in Oxford.

YEAR 1922

After Egypt gains nominal independence from the United Kingdom, Fuad I becomes King of Egypt.

After Egypt gains nominal independence from the United Kingdom, Fuad I becomes King of Egypt.

YEAR 1921

Talaat Pasha, former Grand Vizir of the Ottoman Empire and chief architect of the Armenian genocide, is assassinated in Berlin by a 23-year-old Armeni...

Talaat Pasha, former Grand Vizir of the Ottoman Empire and chief architect of the Armenian genocide, is assassinated in Berlin by a 23-year-old Armenian, Soghomon Tehlirian.

YEAR 1919

Ukrainian War of Independence: The Kontrrazvedka is established as the counterintelligence division of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine.

Ukrainian War of Independence: The Kontrrazvedka is established as the counterintelligence division of the Revolutionary Insurgent Army of Ukraine.

YEAR 1919

The American Legion is founded.

The American Legion is founded.

YEAR 1918

Finnish Civil War: The battle of Tampere begins.

Finnish Civil War: The battle of Tampere begins.

YEAR 1917

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates the Russian throne, ending the 304-year Romanov dynasty.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates the Russian throne, ending the 304-year Romanov dynasty.

YEAR 1907

The first parliamentary elections of Finland (at the time the Grand Duchy of Finland) are held.

The first parliamentary elections of Finland (at the time the Grand Duchy of Finland) are held.

YEAR 1894

Madeleine bombing by Désiré Pauwels during the Ère des attentats.

Madeleine bombing by Désiré Pauwels during the Ère des attentats.

YEAR 1892

The Lobau bombing is one of the first attacks of the Ère des attentats (1892-1894).

The Lobau bombing is one of the first attacks of the Ère des attentats (1892-1894).

YEAR 1888

Start of the Anglo-Tibetan War of 1888.

Start of the Anglo-Tibetan War of 1888.

YEAR 1877

First ever official cricket test match is played: Australia vs England at the MCG Stadium, in Melbourne, Australia.

First ever official cricket test match is played: Australia vs England at the MCG Stadium, in Melbourne, Australia.

YEAR 1875

Archbishop of New York John McCloskey is named the first cardinal in the United States.

Archbishop of New York John McCloskey is named the first cardinal in the United States.

YEAR 1874

France and Vietnam sign the Second Treaty of Saigon, further recognizing the full sovereignty of France over Cochinchina.

France and Vietnam sign the Second Treaty of Saigon, further recognizing the full sovereignty of France over Cochinchina.

YEAR 1848

A revolution breaks out in Hungary, and the Habsburg rulers are compelled to meet the demands of the reform party.

A revolution breaks out in Hungary, and the Habsburg rulers are compelled to meet the demands of the reform party.

YEAR 1823

Sailor Benjamin Morrell erroneously reports the existence of the island of New South Greenland near Antarctica.

Sailor Benjamin Morrell erroneously reports the existence of the island of New South Greenland near Antarctica.

YEAR 1820

Maine is admitted as the twenty-third U.S. state.

Maine is admitted as the twenty-third U.S. state.

YEAR 1783

In an emotional speech in Newburgh, New York, George Washington asks his officers not to support the Newburgh Conspiracy. The plea is successful, and...

In an emotional speech in Newburgh, New York, George Washington asks his officers not to support the Newburgh Conspiracy. The plea is successful, and the threatened coup d'état never takes place.

YEAR 1672

King Charles II of England issues the Royal Declaration of Indulgence, granting limited religious freedom to all Christians.

King Charles II of England issues the Royal Declaration of Indulgence, granting limited religious freedom to all Christians.

YEAR 1626

A dam failure causes the sudden flooding of the mining city of Potosí in present-day Bolivia leading to the death of thousands and the massive release...

A dam failure causes the sudden flooding of the mining city of Potosí in present-day Bolivia leading to the death of thousands and the massive release of toxic mercury into the environment.

YEAR 1564

Mughal Emperor Akbar abolishes the jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects.

Mughal Emperor Akbar abolishes the jizya tax on non-Muslim subjects.

YEAR 1412

Treaty of Lublowa: After the Peace of Thorn, Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen asks Sigismund of Hungary for economic aid. Sigismund agrees to mediate...

Treaty of Lublowa: After the Peace of Thorn, Grand Master Heinrich von Plauen asks Sigismund of Hungary for economic aid. Sigismund agrees to mediate reduction to the third installment, demarcation of the Samogitian border, and other matters with a g...

YEAR 1311

Battle of Halmyros: The Catalan Company defeats Walter V, Count of Brienne to take control of the Duchy of Athens, a Crusader state in Greece.

Battle of Halmyros: The Catalan Company defeats Walter V, Count of Brienne to take control of the Duchy of Athens, a Crusader state in Greece.

YEAR 933

After a ten-year truce, German King Henry the Fowler defeats a Hungarian army at the Battle of Riade near the Unstrut river.

After a ten-year truce, German King Henry the Fowler defeats a Hungarian army at the Battle of Riade near the Unstrut river.

YEAR 897

Al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya enters Sa'dah and founds the Zaydi Imamate of Yemen.

Al-Hadi ila'l-Haqq Yahya enters Sa'dah and founds the Zaydi Imamate of Yemen.

YEAR 856

Michael III, emperor of the Byzantine Empire, overthrows the regency of his mother, empress Theodora (wife of Theophilos) with support of the Byzantin...

Michael III, emperor of the Byzantine Empire, overthrows the regency of his mother, empress Theodora (wife of Theophilos) with support of the Byzantine nobility.

YEAR 493

Odoacer, the first barbarian King of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, is slain by Theoderic the Great, king of the Ostrogoths, while...

Odoacer, the first barbarian King of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire, is slain by Theoderic the Great, king of the Ostrogoths, while the two kings were feasting together.

YEAR 351

Constantius Gallus is elevated as Caesar and then sent to Antioch to govern the Roman East.

Constantius Gallus is elevated as Caesar and then sent to Antioch to govern the Roman East.

YEAR -44

The assassination of Julius Caesar, the dictator of the Roman Republic, by a group of senators takes place on the Ides of March.

The assassination of Julius Caesar, the dictator of the Roman Republic, by a group of senators takes place on the Ides of March.

YEAR -200

The Roman Republic under its new consuls Publius Sulpicius Galba and Gaius Aurelius Cotta declares war on Philip V of Macedon, starting the Second Mac...

The Roman Republic under its new consuls Publius Sulpicius Galba and Gaius Aurelius Cotta declares war on Philip V of Macedon, starting the Second Macedonian War.

YEAR -474

Roman consul Aulus Manlius Vulso celebrates an ovation for concluding the war against Veii and securing a forty years' truce.

Roman consul Aulus Manlius Vulso celebrates an ovation for concluding the war against Veii and securing a forty years' truce.