✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 135th day of the year

May 15

A look at May 15 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Mikhail Bulgakov and Patrice Evra, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♉ZodiacTaurus ◈BirthstoneEmerald ❀Birth flowerLily of the Valley
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2024

    Prime Minister of Slovakia

    Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico is shot and critically injured while meeting with supporters at an event in Handlová.

    Head of government of
  2. 2010

    Jessica Watson

    Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

    Australian sailor (born 1993)
  3. 2004

    Arsenal F.C.

    Arsenal F.C. go an entire league campaign unbeaten in the English Premier League, joining Preston North End F.C. with the right to claim the title "The Invincibles".

    Association football club in
  4. 1972

    Ryukyu Islands

    The Ryukyu Islands, under U.S. military governance since their conquest in 1945, revert to Japanese control.

    Japanese island chain
  5. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrender to Germany, marking the beginning of five years of occupation.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1891

    Pope Leo XIII

    Pope Leo XIII defends workers' rights and property rights in the encyclical Rerum novarum, the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching.

    Head of the Catholic
  7. 1836

    Francis Baily

    Francis Baily observes "Baily's beads" during an annular eclipse.

    English astronomer (1774–1844)
  8. 1725

    Johann Sebastian Bach

    Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Ich bin ein guter Hirt, BWV 85, about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.

    German composer (1685–1750)
  9. 1252

    Pope Innocent IV

    Pope Innocent IV issues the papal bull ad extirpanda, which authorizes, but also limits, the torture of heretics in the Medieval Inquisition.

    Head of the Catholic
  10. 392

    Valentinian II

    Emperor Valentinian II is assassinated while advancing into Gaul against the Frankish usurper Arbogast. He is found hanging in his residence at Vienne.

    Roman emperor from 375
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Famous birthday twins

Born on May 15

Mikhail Bulgakov

b. 1891

Russian novelist and playwright

Patrice Evra

b. 1981

French footballer

Mike Oldfield

b. 1953

English-Irish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer

Veronica Campbell Brown

b. 1982

Jamaican sprinter

Michel Audiard

b. 1920

French director and screenwriter

Andy Murray

b. 1987

Scottish tennis player

Maximilian Hell

b. 1720

Hungarian priest and astronomer

Kathleen Sebelius

b. 1948

American politician, 44th Governor of Kansas

Deaths

  • 2014Jean-Luc Dehaene, French-Belgian politician, 63rd Prime Minister of Belgium
  • 2012Arno Lustiger, German historian and author
  • 1991Fritz Riess, German race car driver
  • 1886Emily Dickinson, American poet and author
  • 1879Gottfried Semper, German architect and educator, designed the Semper Opera House
  • 392Valentinian II, Roman emperor

Holidays & observances

  • —Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto)
  • —Army Day (Slovenia)
  • —Christian feast day: Achillius of Larissa
  • —Christian feast day: Athanasius of Alexandria (Coptic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Hallvard Vebjørnsson (Roman Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Hilary of Galeata
  • —Christian feast day: Isidore the Laborer, celebrated with festivals in various countries, the beginning of bullfighting season in Madrid.
  • —Christian feast day: Jean-Baptiste de La Salle (Roman Catholic Church)

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