December 15 is the 349th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 16 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about December 15th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about December 15th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Cat Herders Day
- International Tea Day
- National Lemon Cupcake Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – December 15
2009: Maiden flight of Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Considered to be one of Boeing’s most fuel-efficient airplanes, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner has suffered from problems associated with its lithium-ion batteries.
1978: US recognizes China
30 years after the creation of the People’s Republic of China, President Jimmy Carter announced that the United States would formally recognize the communist country starting January 1, 1979. The announcement also called for the severing of relations with Taiwan, a position that was quickly reversed under protests.
1939: Premier of the Gone with the Wind
The award winning film was adapted from the Pulitzer winner Margaret Mitchell’s book by the same name.
1933: Twenty-first Amendment to U.S. Constitution comes into effect
Ratified on December 5 of the same year, the amendment repealed the prohibition on alcohol in the United States which had come into force on January 17, 1920, when the 18th amendment took effect.
1791: U.S. Bill of Rights becomes law
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution of the United States are known as the Bill of Rights. They became law after Virginia ratified the amendments.
1941: Jewish women before their execution in Skede, Latvia, December 15-17, 1941.

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, December 15
1986: Junsu, South Korean singer-songwriter, actor
1979: Eric Young, Canadian wrestler
1928: Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Austrian/New Zealand painter, architect, designed the Kuchlbauer Tower, Waldspirale
1907: Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian architect, designed the United Nations Headquarters, Cathedral of Brasília
37: Nero, Roman Emperor
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, December 15
2013: Harold Camping, American broadcaster, author
2011: Christopher Hitchens, English/American journalist, author
2010: Bob Feller, American baseball player
1966: Walt Disney, American animator, director, screenwriter, producer, co-founded The Company
1950: Vallabhbhai Patel, Indian activist, politician, 1st Deputy Prime Minister of India