What Happened on July 15?

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deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON JULY 15

Explore the most important historical events that happened on July 15, featuring key moments that shaped the world.

Spanish Inquisition

Year: 1834

The Spanish Inquisition is officially disbanded after nearly 356 years.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Year: 1838

Ralph Waldo Emerson delivers the Divinity School Address at Harvard Divinity School, discounting Biblical miracles and declaring Jesus a great man, but not God. The Protestant community reacts with outrage.

Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

Year: 1823

A fire destroys the ancient Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, Italy.

Napoleonic Wars

Year: 1815

Napoleonic Wars: Napoleon Bonaparte surrenders aboard HMS Bellerophon.

Pike Expedition

Year: 1806

Pike Expedition: United States Army Lieutenant Zebulon Pike begins an expedition from Fort Bellefontaine near St. Louis, Missouri, to explore the west.

Airstrike

Year: 1849

The first air raid in history occurs; Austria launches pilotless balloons against the city of Venice

American Civil War

Year: 1862

American Civil War: The CSS Arkansas, the most effective ironclad on the Mississippi River, battles with Union Navy ships commanded by Admiral David Farragut, severely damaging three ships and sustaining heavy damage herself.

Emil Kraepelin

Year: 1910

In his book Clinical Psychiatry, Emil Kraepelin gives a name to Alzheimer's disease, naming it after his colleague Alois Alzheimer.

BIRTHS ON JULY 15

Discover famous people and historical figures born on July 15, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.

Nan Martin

Year of birth: 1927

Nan Martin, American actress (died 2010)

Carl Woese

Year of birth: 1928

Carl Woese, American microbiologist and biophysicist (died 2012)

Carmen Zapata

Year of birth: 1927

Carmen Zapata, American actress (died 2014)

Håkon Brusveen

Year of birth: 1927

Håkon Brusveen, Norwegian cross-country skier (died 2021)

Driss Chraïbi

Year of birth: 1926

Driss Chraïbi, Moroccan-French journalist and author (died 2007)

Ian Stewart (racing driver)

Year of birth: 1929

Ian Stewart, Scottish racing driver (died 2017)

Charles Anthony (tenor)

Year of birth: 1929

Charles Anthony, American tenor and actor (died 2012)

Joanna Merlin

Year of birth: 1931

Joanna Merlin, American actress and casting director (died 2023)

DEATHS ON JULY 15

Look back at notable individuals who passed away on July 15, and learn about their lasting influences on history.

Leopold Auer

Year of death: 1930

Leopold Auer, Hungarian violinist, composer, and conductor (born 1845)

Leonora Barry

Year of death: 1930

Leonora Barry, Irish-born American social activist (born 1849)

Ladislaus Bortkiewicz

Year of death: 1931

Ladislaus Bortkiewicz, Russian-German economist and mathematician (born 1868)

Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven

Year of death: 1932

Cornelis Jacobus Langenhoven, South African poet and politician (born 1873)

Freddie Keppard

Year of death: 1933

Freddie Keppard, American cornet player (born 1890)

Bahíyyih Khánum

Year of death: 1932

Bahíyyih Khánum, Iranian writer and leader in the Baha'i faith (born 1846)

Hugo von Hofmannsthal

Year of death: 1929

Hugo von Hofmannsthal, Austrian author, poet, and playwright (born 1874)

Emil Fischer

Year of death: 1919

Emil Fischer, German chemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1852)

HOLIDAYS ON JULY 15

See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on July 15 around the world.

Vladimir the Great

Christian feast day: Vladimir the Great (Eastern Orthodox; Catholic Church)

Swithun

Christian feast day: Swithun

July 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: July 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Saint Rosalia

Festival of Santa Rosalia (Palermo, Sicily)

Statehood Day (Ukraine)

Meänmaa Flag Day

Meänmaa Flag Day (Meänmaa)

Cyricus and Julitta

Christian feast day: Quriaqos and Julietta (Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox)

Plechelm

Christian feast day: Plechelm

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