What Happened on January 15?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON JANUARY 15
Explore the most important historical events that happened on January 15, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Buffalo Bill Dam
Year:
1910
Construction ends on the Buffalo Bill Dam in Wyoming, United States, which was the highest dam in the world at the time, at 99 m (325 ft).
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Palestinian Arabic
Year:
1911
Palestinian Arabic-language Falastin newspaper founded.
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Alpha Kappa Alpha
Year:
1908
The Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority becomes the first Greek-letter organization founded and established by African American college women.
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James Naismith
Year:
1892
James Naismith publishes the rules of basketball.
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The Coca-Cola Company
Year:
1889
The Coca-Cola Company, then known as the Pemberton Medicine Company, is incorporated in Atlanta.
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Great Molasses Flood
Year:
1919
Great Molasses Flood: A wave of molasses released from an exploding storage tank sweeps through Boston, Massachusetts, killing 21 and injuring 150.
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Rosa Luxemburg
Year:
1919
Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, two of the most prominent communists in Germany, are clubbed and then shot to death by members of the Freikorps at the end of the Spartacist uprising.
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The Pentagon
Year:
1943
The Pentagon is dedicated in Arlington County, Virginia.
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BIRTHS ON JANUARY 15
Discover famous people and historical figures born on January 15, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Babasaheb Bhosale
Year of birth:
1921
Babasaheb Bhosale, Indian lawyer and politician, eighth Chief Minister of Maharashtra (died 2007)
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Cliff Barker
Year of birth:
1921
Cliff Barker, American basketball player (died 1998)
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Frank Thornton
Year of birth:
1921
Frank Thornton, English actor (died 2013)
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Bob Davies
Year of birth:
1920
Bob Davies, American basketball player and coach (died 1990)
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Steve Gromek
Year of birth:
1920
Steve Gromek, American baseball player (died 2002)
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Eric Willis
Year of birth:
1922
Eric Willis, Australian sergeant and politician, 34th Premier of New South Wales (died 1999)
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Lee Teng-hui
Year of birth:
1923
Lee Teng-hui, Taiwanese economist and politician, fourth President of the Republic of China (died 2020)
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Ruth Slenczynska
Year of birth:
1925
Ruth Slenczynska, American pianist and composer
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DEATHS ON JANUARY 15
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on January 15, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Ernest Swinton
Year of death:
1951
Ernest Swinton, British Army officer (born 1868)
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Nikolai Vekšin
Year of death:
1951
Nikolai Vekšin, Estonian-Russian captain and sailor (born 1887)
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Ned Hanlon (politician)
Year of death:
1952
Ned Hanlon, Australian sergeant and politician, 26th Premier of Queensland (born 1887)
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Yves Tanguy
Year of death:
1955
Yves Tanguy, French-American painter (born 1900)
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Jack Teagarden
Year of death:
1964
Jack Teagarden, American singer-songwriter and trombonist (born 1905)
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Yos Sudarso
Year of death:
1962
Yos Sudarso, Indonesian naval officer (born 1925)
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Henry H. Arnold
Year of death:
1950
Henry H. Arnold, American general (born 1886)
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Josephus Daniels
Year of death:
1948
Josephus Daniels, American publisher and diplomat, 41st United States Secretary of the Navy (born 1862)
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HOLIDAYS ON JANUARY 15
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on January 15 around the world.
Saint Maurus
Christian feast day: Maurus and Placidus (Order of Saint Benedict)
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Macarius of Egypt
Christian feast day: Macarius of Egypt (Western Christianity)
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Paul of Thebes
Christian feast day: Paul the Hermit
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January 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: January 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Hangul Day
Korean Alphabet Day (North Korea)
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Arbor Day
Arbor Day (Egypt)
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Our Lady of Banneux
Christian feast day: Our Lady of the Poor
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Íte of Killeedy
Christian feast day: Ita
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