✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 46th day of the year

February 15

A look at February 15 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Galileo Galilei and Totò, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♒ZodiacAquarius ◈BirthstoneAmethyst ❀Birth flowerViolet
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2013

    Chelyabinsk meteor

    A meteor explodes over Russia, injuring 1,500 people as a shock wave blows out windows and rocks buildings. This happens unexpectedly only hours before the expected closest ever approach of the larger and unrelated asteroid 2012 DA14.

    Near-Earth asteroid that fell
  2. 2010

    Halle train collision

    Two trains collide in the Halle train collision in Halle, Belgium, killing 19 and injuring 171 people.

    2010 Belgian train wreck
  3. 1961

    Sabena Flight 548

    Sabena Flight 548 crashes in Belgium, killing 73, including the entire United States figure skating team along with several of their coaches and family members.

    1961 fatal crash of
  4. 1949

    Gerald Lankester Harding

    Gerald Lankester Harding and Roland de Vaux begin excavations at Cave 1 of the Qumran Caves, where they will eventually discover the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls.

    British archaeologist (1901–1979)
  5. 1942

    World War II

    World War II: Fall of Singapore. Following an assault by Japanese forces, the British General Arthur Percival surrenders. About 80,000 Indian, United Kingdom and Australian soldiers become prisoners of war, the largest surrender of British-led military personnel in history.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1940

    Paul Creston

    Paul Creston's Saxophone Sonata is officially premiered at the Carnegie Chamber Hall by saxophonist Cecil Leeson, who had commissioned it, and the composer.

    American classical composer (1906–1985)
  7. 1933

    Miami

    In Miami, Giuseppe Zangara attempts to assassinate US President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt, but instead shoots Chicago mayor Anton J. Cermak, who dies of his wounds on March 6.

    City in Florida, United
  8. 1923

    Greece

    Greece becomes the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar.

    Country in Southeast Europe
  9. 1113

    Pope Paschal II

    Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers.

    Head of the Catholic
  10. 1002

    Pavia

    At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy.

    Comune in Lombardy, Italy
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Famous birthday twins

Born on February 15

Galileo Galilei

b. 1564

Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician

Totò

b. 1898

Italian actor, singer, and screenwriter

Graham Hill

b. 1929

English racing driver and businessman

Miep Gies

b. 1909

Austrian-Dutch humanitarian, helped hide Anne Frank and her family

Louis XV

b. 1710

of France

George Mikes

b. 1912

Hungarian-English journalist and author

Matt Groening

b. 1954

American animator, producer, and screenwriter

Tomislav Nikolić

b. 1952

Serbian politician, 4th President of Serbia

Deaths

  • 2014Thelma Estrin, American computer scientist and engineer
  • 1988Richard Feynman, American physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1848Hermann von Boyen, Prussian general and politician, Prussian Minister of War
  • 1781Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, German philosopher, author, and critic
  • 706Tiberius III, Byzantine emperor
  • 706Leontius, Byzantine emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Blessed Michał Sopoćko
  • —Christian feast day: Claude de la Colombière
  • —Christian feast day: Faustinus and Jovita
  • —Christian feast day: Oswiu
  • —Christian feast day: Quinidius
  • —Christian feast day: Sigfrid of Sweden
  • —Christian feast day: Thomas Bray (Episcopal Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Walfrid

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