What Happened on February 15?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 15
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 15, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
USS Maine (1890)
Year:
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.
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Nicholas II
Year:
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.
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Women's rights
Year:
1879
Women's rights: US President Rutherford B. Hayes signs a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.
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Stevens Institute of Technology
Year:
1870
Stevens Institute of Technology is founded in New Jersey, US, and offers the first Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering.
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American Civil War
Year:
1862
American 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.
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Acapulco
Year:
1909
The Flores Theater fire in Acapulco, Mexico kills 250.
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Greece
Year:
1923
Greece becomes the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar.
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World War II
Year:
1942
World 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.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 15
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 15, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Endicott Peabody
Year of birth:
1920
Endicott Peabody, American soldier, lawyer, and politician, 62nd Governor of Massachusetts (died 1997)
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Eio Sakata
Year of birth:
1920
Eio Sakata, Japanese Go player (died 2010)
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Ducky Detweiler
Year of birth:
1919
Ducky Detweiler, American baseball player and manager (died 2013)
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Allan Arbus
Year of birth:
1918
Allan Arbus, American actor and photographer (died 2013)
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Norman C. Deno
Year of birth:
1921
Norman C. Deno, American chemist and plant scientist, (died 2017)
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John B. Anderson
Year of birth:
1922
John B. Anderson, Swedish-American lawyer and politician (died 2017)
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Frank Dunlop (director)
Year of birth:
1927
Frank Dunlop, English actor and director
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Harvey Korman
Year of birth:
1927
Harvey Korman, American actor and comedian (died 2008)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 15
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 15, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Gregor von Helmersen
Year of death:
1885
Gregor von Helmersen, Estonian-Russian geologist and engineer (born 1803)
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Dimitrie Ghica
Year of death:
1897
Dimitrie Ghica, Romanian lawyer and politician, 10th Prime Minister of Romania (born 1816)
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Edward Stafford (politician)
Year of death:
1901
Edward Stafford, Scottish-New Zealand educator and politician, 3rd Prime Minister of New Zealand (born 1819)
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Lew Wallace
Year of death:
1905
Lew Wallace, American author, general, and politician, 11th Governor of New Mexico Territory (born 1827)
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Leopold Damrosch
Year of death:
1885
Leopold Damrosch, German-American composer and conductor (born 1832)
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Rayko Zhinzifov
Year of death:
1877
Rayko Zhinzifov, Bulgarian poet and translator (born 1839)
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Pierre François Verhulst
Year of death:
1849
Pierre François Verhulst, Belgian mathematician and theorist (born 1804)
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Mikhail Glinka
Year of death:
1857
Mikhail Glinka, Russian composer (born 1804)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 15
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 15 around the world.
Parinirvana Day
Parinirvana Day, also celebrated on February 8. (Mahayana Buddhism)
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National Flag of Canada Day
National Flag of Canada Day (Canada)
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John Frum
John Frum Day (Vanuatu)
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Statehood Day (Serbia)
Statehood Day (Serbia)
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Susan B. Anthony Day
Susan B. Anthony Day (Florida, United States)
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Total Defence (Singapore)
Total Defence Day (Singapore)
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ENIAC
The ENIAC Day (Philadelphia, United States)
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Beatification
Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Sopoćko
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