April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 260 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about April 15th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about April 15th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- World Art Day
- National Take a Wild Guess Day
- International Microvolunteering Day
- National ASL Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – April 15
1989: A small group of students initiates pro-democracy protest on Tiananmen Square in Beijing
The death of reformer Hu Yaobang triggered the demonstrations, which grew in size and were brutally dispersed in the Tiananmen Square Massacre on June 4.
1986: The United States launches retaliatory air strikes against Libya
Around 40 Libyans died in Operation El Dorado Canyon, including an infant girl. The attack was the United States’ response to the bombing of a Berlin discotheque on April 5, in which 3 people had died.
1945: The German concentration camp Bergen-Belsen is liberated
British and Canadian troops found about 53,000 prisoners inside the camp. Tens of thousands died before and after the liberation.
1935: The Eastman Kodak Company launches Kodachrome
The photographic film was one of the most popular media used by professional and hobby photographers around the world. The product was discontinued in 2009 because of the advent of digital photography.
1989: Fans were crushed during the Hillsborough disaster where 96 people died and 776 were injured after overcrowding due to confusion and mismanagement at a football match, 15th April 1989,
1955: McDonald’s restaurant dates its founding to the opening of a franchised restaurant by Ray Kroc, in Des Plaines, Illinois in 1955.
1945: Recently released Jewish prisoner attacks a German guard in 1945
1931: During a London County Council election campaign run, Mickey Mouse is showing on a small screen in a city street.
1912: On 15th April at 2:20 AM, 1912, the British ocean liner Titanic sinks into the North Atlantic Ocean about 400 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada. The massive ship, which carried 2,200 passengers and crew, had struck an iceberg two and half hours before.
1689: French King Louis XIV declares war on Spain in 1689.
1450: French defeated the English at the Battle of Formigny in the 100 Years’ War in 1450.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, April 15
1894: Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet politician, 7th Premier of the Soviet Union
1858: Émile Durkheim, French sociologist
1843: Henry James, American/English author
1832: Wilhelm Busch, German poet, painter, illustrator
1452: Leonardo da Vinci, Italian painter, sculptor, architect
Leonardo Da Vinci was born.
Emma Watson was born.
Guru Nanak was born.
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, April 15
1998: Pol Pot, Cambodian politician, 29th Prime Minister of Cambodia
1990: Greta Garbo, Swedish actress
1980: Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher, writer
1889: Father Damien, Flemish missionary, priest
1865: Abraham Lincoln, American lawyer, politician, 16th President of the United States
Abhraham Lincoln died.
Edward Smith died.
Brian Dennehy died.
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