October 15 is the 288th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 77 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about October 15th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about October 15th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Chicken Cacciatore Day
- National White Cane Safety Day
- World Students Day
- World Maths Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – October 15
2003: Shenzhou 5, China’s first human space flight mission launched
Launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the middle of the Gobi desert in northern China, this launch brought the Chinese into the exclusive club of countries who have achieved manned space flight. The other countries are the USA and the Soviet Union/Russia.
1990: Mikhail Gorbachev is Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
The then President of the Soviet Union received the prestigious award given out by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, for his role in lessening tensions during the Cold War.
1987: Thomas Sankara killed
Thomas Sankara, the President of Burkina Faso, was killed during a coup led by Blaise Compaoré.
1951: I Love Lucy Airs for the First Time
The American sitcom aired on CBS and featured real-life couple Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. The popular show lasted for 6 years and it had several spin-offs after it went off air.
1783: World’s First Manned Balloon Flight
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, a teacher from France, spent about 4 minutes in the air in a balloon made by flight pioneers Joseph-Michael and Jacques-Ètienne Montgolfier. The Montgolfier brothers were responsible for the world’s first balloon flight and for sending the first living being – a duck – on a balloon.
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, October 15
1938: Fela Kuti, Nigerian singer-songwriter, musician, activist
1931: A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Indian scientist, politician, 11th President of India
1926: Michel Foucault, French philosopher
1881: P. G. Wodehouse, English author
1844: Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, October 15
1964: Cole Porter, American composer
1959: Stepan Bandera, Ukrainian politician
1946: Hermann Göring, German military leader, politician, Minister President of Prussia
1917: Mata Hari, Dutch spy
1817: Tadeusz Kościuszko, Polish/American general
