What Happened on December 15?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 15
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 15, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Italian Americans
Year:
1903
Italian American food cart vendor Italo Marchiony receives a U.S. patent for inventing a machine that makes ice cream cones.
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British Army
Year:
1899
British Army forces are defeated at the Battle of Colenso in Natal, South Africa, the third and final battle fought during the Black Week of the Second Boer War.
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Symphony No. 9 (Dvořák)
Year:
1893
Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World" a.k.a. the "New World Symphony") by Antonín Dvořák premieres in a public afternoon rehearsal at Carnegie Hall in New York City, followed by a concert premiere on the evening of December 16.
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Hunkpapa
Year:
1890
Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull is killed on Standing Rock Indian Reservation, leading to the Wounded Knee Massacre.
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Pushkin House
Year:
1905
The Pushkin House is established in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to preserve the cultural heritage of Alexander Pushkin.
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London Underground
Year:
1906
The London Underground's Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway opens.
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2017 Java earthquake
Year:
2017
A 6.5Mw earthquake strikes the Indonesian island of Java in the city of Tasikmalaya, resulting in four deaths.
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Armistice between Russia and the Central Powers
Year:
1917
World War I: An armistice between Russia and the Central Powers is signed.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 15
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 15, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Billy Shaw
Year of birth:
1938
Billy Shaw, American football player (died 2024)
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Joe D'Amato
Year of birth:
1936
Joe D'Amato, Italian director and producer (died 1999)
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Bapu (director)
Year of birth:
1933
Bapu, Indian director and screenwriter (died 2014)
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Tim Conway
Year of birth:
1933
Tim Conway, American comedian, actor, producer, and screenwriter (died 2019)
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Dave Clark (musician)
Year of birth:
1939
Dave Clark, English musician and songwriter
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Cindy Birdsong
Year of birth:
1939
Cindy Birdsong, American singer-songwriter
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Chico Mendes
Year of birth:
1944
Chico Mendes, Brazilian trade union leader and activist (died 1988)
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Lucien den Arend
Year of birth:
1943
Lucien den Arend, Dutch sculptor
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 15
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 15, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Antonio Barrette
Year of death:
1968
Antonio Barrette, Canadian politician, 18th Premier of Quebec (born 1899)
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Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Year of death:
1673
Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, English noblewoman (born 1623)
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Paul Lévy (mathematician)
Year of death:
1971
Paul Lévy, French mathematician and theorist (born 1886)
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Jess Willard
Year of death:
1968
Jess Willard, American boxer and actor (born 1881)
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Keith Arbuthnott, 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott
Year of death:
1966
Keith Arbuthnott, 15th Viscount of Arbuthnott, Indian-Scottish general and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire (born 1897)
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Charles Laughton
Year of death:
1962
Charles Laughton, English-American actor, director, and producer (born 1899)
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M. Balasundaram
Year of death:
1965
M. Balasundaram, Sri Lankan journalist, lawyer, and politician (born 1903)
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Walt Disney
Year of death:
1966
Walt Disney, American animator, director, producer, and screenwriter, co-founded The Walt Disney Company (born 1901)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 15
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 15 around the world.
Zamenhof Day
Zamenhof Day (International Esperanto Community)
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Virginia Centurione Bracelli
Christian feast day: Virginia Centurione Bracelli
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December 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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German occupation of the Channel Islands
Homecoming Day (Alderney)
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Mesmin
Christian feast day: Mesmin
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Maria Crocifissa di Rosa
Christian feast day: Maria Crocifissa di Rosa
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Blessed Martyrs of Drina
Christian feast day: Drina Martyrs
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UNESCO
World Turkic Language Family Day (UNESCO)
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