On This Day in History – November 15

November 15 has seen turning points in politics, technology, exploration, and culture. From declarations of independence to milestones in space and digital innovation, this date represents both human ambition and the challenges that come with progress.

Major Events

1. 1533 – Spanish conquistadors capture Atahualpa, the last Inca Emperor, in Cajamarca, Peru, marking the beginning of the end for the Inca Empire.
2. 1777 – The Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation, creating the first constitution of the United States.
3. 1806 – Zebulon Pike discovers and names Pike’s Peak in Colorado during his expedition to map the American frontier.
4. 1864 – Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begins his “March to the Sea” during the U.S. Civil War, devastating Georgia’s infrastructure in a campaign to end the conflict.
5. 1889 – Brazil declares itself a republic following a military coup that deposes Emperor Pedro II, ending 67 years of monarchy.
6. 1920 – The League of Nations holds its first assembly in Geneva, Switzerland, marking a new era of international diplomacy.
7. 1942 – The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal ends with a decisive Allied victory, turning the tide of the Pacific War in World War II.
8. 1969 – The Soviet Union launches Venera 6 toward Venus, part of a series of missions to study the planet’s atmosphere.
9. 1988 – The Palestinian National Council declares the independence of the State of Palestine during a meeting in Algiers.
10. 1989 – The Velvet Revolution begins in Czechoslovakia as students take to the streets in peaceful protest against communist rule.
11. 2000 – A cable car fire in Kaprun, Austria, kills 155 people, one of the worst alpine disasters in modern history.
12. 2017 – A massive 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes near the Iran-Iraq border, killing over 500 people and injuring thousands.

Famous Birthdays

1. William Herschel (1738–1822) — German-born British astronomer who discovered the planet Uranus and infrared radiation.
2. Georgia O’Keeffe (1887–1986) — American modernist painter known for her flower and landscape imagery.
3. Erwin Rommel (1891–1944) — German field marshal known as the “Desert Fox” for his tactical brilliance during World War II.
4. Beverly D’Angelo (1951– ) — American actress known for her roles in National Lampoon’s Vacation films.
5. Petula Clark (1932– ) — British singer and actress, famous for her hit song “Downtown.”
6. Sam Waterston (1940– ) — American actor recognized for his role on Law & Order.
7. Anni-Frid Lyngstad (1945– ) — Swedish singer and member of the iconic pop group ABBA.
8. Ed Asner (1929–2021) — American actor and activist best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
9. Chad Kroeger (1974– ) — Canadian musician and lead vocalist of Nickelback.
10. Lily Collins (1989– ) — British-American actress and model known for Emily in Paris and Mirror Mirror.

Notable Deaths

1. Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) — German astronomer and mathematician who formulated the laws of planetary motion.
2. Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908) — Powerful Chinese empress who effectively ruled during the late Qing dynasty.
3. John F. Kennedy Jr. (1960–1999) — American lawyer, journalist, and son of U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
4. Tiradentes (1746–1792) — Brazilian national hero and revolutionary executed for leading a failed independence movement.
5. Nathuram Godse (1910–1949) — Indian nationalist who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi in 1948.
6. V. S. Naipaul (1932–2018) — Trinidadian-British author and Nobel Prize winner in Literature known for works on postcolonial identity.
7. Jean Gabin (1904–1976) — French actor known for his performances in La Grande Illusion and Pépé le Moko.
8. Eddie Bracken (1915–2002) — American comedic actor of Hollywood’s Golden Age.
9. John Bardeen (1908–1991) — American physicist and electrical engineer, the only person to win the Nobel Prize in Physics twice.

Holidays

• Republic Day (Brazil) — Marks the 1889 overthrow of Emperor Pedro II and the establishment of a republic.
• National Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (U.S.) — A lighthearted reminder to prepare for the holidays by clearing out old food.
• Peace Day (Ivory Coast) — Promotes unity and reconciliation in the West African nation.
• Shichi-Go-San (Japan) — A traditional rite of passage for children aged three, five, and seven, celebrating health and growth.

Fun Facts

• The Velvet Revolution of 1989 was almost entirely non-violent, leading to the peaceful collapse of communism in Czechoslovakia.
• Brazil’s transition from monarchy to republic in 1889 was completed without bloodshed.
• William Herschel’s discovery of Uranus in 1781 expanded humanity’s known solar system for the first time in history.
• Georgia O’Keeffe lived to 98 years old and continued painting well into her 90s despite near-total blindness.
• The Battle of Guadalcanal (1942) marked the first major offensive victory for Allied forces in the Pacific theater.