What Happened on May 15?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON MAY 15
Explore the most important historical events that happened on May 15, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Battle of New Market
Year:
1864
American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate army to force Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley.
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Pope Leo XIII
Year:
1891
Pope Leo XIII defends workers' rights and property rights in the encyclical Rerum novarum, the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching.
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Australian gold rushes
Year:
1851
The first Australian gold rush is proclaimed, although the discovery had been made three months earlier.
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Sicilian revolution of 1848
Year:
1849
The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished.
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Francis Baily
Year:
1836
Francis Baily observes "Baily's beads" during an annular eclipse.
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Las Vegas
Year:
1905
The city of Las Vegas is founded in Nevada, United States.
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Torreón massacre
Year:
1911
More than 300 Chinese immigrants are killed in the Torreón massacre when the forces of the Mexican Revolution led by Emilio Madero take the city of Torreón from the Federales.
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Winnipeg general strike
Year:
1919
The Winnipeg general strike begins. By 11:00, almost the whole working population of Winnipeg had walked off the job.
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BIRTHS ON MAY 15
Discover famous people and historical figures born on May 15, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Jusuf Kalla
Year of birth:
1942
Jusuf Kalla, Indonesian businessman and politician, 10th Vice President of Indonesia
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Lois Johnson
Year of birth:
1942
Lois Johnson, American singer-songwriter (died 2014)
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Doug Lowe (Australian politician)
Year of birth:
1942
Doug Lowe, Australian politician, 35th Premier of Tasmania
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K. T. Oslin
Year of birth:
1942
K. T. Oslin, American singer-songwriter and actress (died 2020)
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Arthur Schnitzler
Year of birth:
1862
Arthur Schnitzler, Austrian author and playwright (died 1931)
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Pierre Curie
Year of birth:
1859
Pierre Curie, French physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (died 1906)
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Paul Bégin
Year of birth:
1943
Paul Bégin, Canadian lawyer and politician
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Michael Dexter
Year of birth:
1945
Michael Dexter, English hematologist and academic
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DEATHS ON MAY 15
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on May 15, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Charles Williams (British writer)
Year of death:
1945
Charles Williams, English author, poet, and critic (born 1886)
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Kenneth J. Alford
Year of death:
1945
Kenneth J. Alford, English soldier, bandmaster, and composer (born 1881)
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Edward J. Flanagan
Year of death:
1948
Edward J. Flanagan, Irish-American priest, founded Boys Town (born 1886)
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William March
Year of death:
1954
William March, American soldier and author (born 1893)
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Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden
Year of death:
1937
Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden, English politician, Chancellor of the Exchequer (born 1864)
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Kazimir Malevich
Year of death:
1935
Kazimir Malevich, Ukrainian-Russian painter and theoretician (born 1878)
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Hasan Tahsin
Year of death:
1919
Hasan Tahsin, Turkish journalist (born 1888)
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Paul Henri Balluet d'Estournelles de Constant
Year of death:
1924
Paul-Henri-Benjamin d'Estournelles de Constant, French diplomat and politician, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1852)
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HOLIDAYS ON MAY 15
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on May 15 around the world.
Sophia of Rome
Christian feast day: Sophia of Rome (Roman Catholic church)
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Aoi Matsuri
Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto)
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Jean-Baptiste de La Salle
Christian feast day: Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Roman Catholic Church)
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May 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: May 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgical calendar)
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Peace Officers Memorial Day
Peace Officers Memorial Day (United States)
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Mother's Day
Mother's Day (Paraguay)
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Nakba Day
Nakba Day (Palestinian communities)
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Saint Ubaldo Day
La Corsa dei Ceri begins on the eve of the feast day of Saint Ubaldo. (Gubbio)
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