What Happened on September 15?

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events

births

deaths

holidays

EVENTS ON SEPTEMBER 15

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

World War I

Year: 1916

World War I: Tanks are used for the first time in battle, at the Battle of the Somme.

Battle of Dobro Pole

Year: 1918

World War I: Allied troops break through the Bulgarian defenses on the Macedonian front.

First Sino-Japanese War

Year: 1894

First Sino-Japanese War: Japan defeats the Qing dynasty in the Battle of Pyongyang, causing the Qing army to withdraw to the Chinese border with Korea.

Franco-Prussian War

Year: 1873

Franco-Prussian War: The last Imperial German Army troops leave France upon completion of payment of indemnity.

American Civil War

Year: 1862

American Civil War: Confederate forces capture Harpers Ferry, Virginia.

Nuremberg Laws

Year: 1935

Nazi Germany announces two new laws related to race and the rights of Jews. These became known as the Nuremberg Race Laws.

Nazi Germany

Year: 1935

Nazi Germany adopts a new national flag bearing the swastika.

Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement

Year: 2020

Signing of the Bahrain–Israel normalization agreement occurs in Washington, D.C., normalizing relations between Israel and two Arab nations, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

BIRTHS ON SEPTEMBER 15

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

Phil Lamason

Year of birth: 1918

Phil Lamason, New Zealand soldier and pilot (died 2012)

Heda Margolius Kovály

Year of birth: 1919

Heda Margolius Kovály, Czech author and translator (died 2010)

Margot Loyola

Year of birth: 1918

Margot Loyola, Chilean singer-songwriter and guitarist (died 2015)

Nipsey Russell

Year of birth: 1918

Nipsey Russell, American comedian and actor (died 2005)

Buddy Jeannette

Year of birth: 1917

Buddy Jeannette, American basketball player and coach (died 1998)

Hilde Güden

Year of birth: 1917

Hilde Gueden, Austrian soprano (died 1988)

Fausto Coppi

Year of birth: 1919

Fausto Coppi, Italian cyclist and soldier (died 1960)

Richard Gordon (English author)

Year of birth: 1921

Richard Gordon, English surgeon and author (died 2017)

DEATHS ON SEPTEMBER 15

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

Ernest Gagnon

Year of death: 1915

Ernest Gagnon, Canadian organist and composer (born 1834)

William Wales (optician)

Year of death: 1907

William Wales, English-American inventor (born c. 1838)

Roman von Ungern-Sternberg

Year of death: 1921

Roman von Ungern-Sternberg, Austrian-Russian general (born 1886)

Rudolf Christoph Eucken

Year of death: 1926

Rudolf Christoph Eucken, German philosopher and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (born 1846)

Milton Sills

Year of death: 1930

Milton Sills, American actor and screenwriter (born 1882)

Thomas Hawksley

Year of death: 1893

Thomas Hawksley, English engineer (born 1807)

Joseph Plateau

Year of death: 1883

Joseph Plateau, Belgian physicist and academic (born 1801)

Johann Karl Simon Morgenstern

Year of death: 1852

Johann Karl Simon Morgenstern, German-Estonian philologist and academic (born 1770)

HOLIDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 15

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

Our Lady of Sorrows

Christian feast day: Our Lady of Sorrows

Nicetas the Goth

Christian feast day: Nicetas the Goth

September 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Christian feast day: September 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)

Grito de Dolores

Cry of Dolores, celebrated on the eve of Independence Day (Mexico).

National Hispanic Heritage Month

The beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated until October 15 (United States)

International Day of Democracy

Battle of Britain Day

Battle of Britain Day (United Kingdom)

Saint Mirin

Christian feast day: Mirin

September