On This Day — December 15

🕰️ Notable Events on December 15

• 2014 — Man Haron Monis takes 18 hostages inside a café in Martin Place for 16 hours in Sydney. Monis and two hostages are killed when police raid the café the following morning. Wikipedia ↗
• 2013 — The South Sudanese Civil War begins when opposition leaders Dr. Riek Machar, Pagan Amum and Rebecca Nyandeng vote to boycott the meeting of the National Liberation Council at Nyakuron. Wikipedia ↗
• 2010 — A boat carrying 90 asylum seekers crashes into rocks off the coast of Christmas Island, Australia, killing 48 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 2005 — Introduction of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor into USAF active service. Wikipedia ↗
• 2001 — The Leaning Tower of Pisa reopens after 11 years and $27,000,000 spent to stabilize it, without fixing its famous lean. Wikipedia ↗
• 2000 — The third reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant is shut down. Wikipedia ↗
• 1997 — Tajikistan Airlines Flight 3183 crashes in the desert near Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, killing 85. Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — The Troubles: The Downing Street Declaration is issued by British Prime Minister John Major and Irish Taoiseach Albert Reynolds. Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — A suicide car bombing targeting the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, levels the embassy and kills 61 people, including Iraq's ambassador to Lebanon. The attack is considered the first modern suicide bombing. Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — U.S. President Jimmy Carter announces that the United States will recognize the People's Republic of China and sever diplomatic relations with Taiwan Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — John Paul Getty III, grandson of American billionaire J. Paul Getty, is found alive near Naples, Italy, after being kidnapped by an Italian gang on July 10. Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — The American Psychiatric Association votes 13-0 to remove homosexuality from its official list of psychiatric disorders, the DSM-II. Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Soviet spacecraft Venera 7 successfully lands on Venus. It is the first successful soft landing on another planet Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — A South Korean ferry, Namyong Ho, capsizes in the Korea Strait, killing more than 300 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Project Gemini: Gemini 6A, crewed by Wally Schirra and Thomas Stafford, is launched from Cape Kennedy, Florida. Four orbits later, it achieves the first space rendezvous, with Gemini 7. Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Adolf Eichmann is sentenced to death after being found guilty by an Israeli court of 15 criminal charges, including charges of crimes against humanity, crimes against the Jewish people, and membership of an outlawed organization. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Richard Pavlick is arrested for plotting to assassinate U.S. President-Elect John F. Kennedy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — King Mahendra of Nepal suspends the country's constitution, dissolves parliament, dismisses the cabinet, and imposes direct rule. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Occupation of Japan/Shinto Directive: General Douglas MacArthur orders that Shinto be abolished as the state religion of Japan. Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — World War II: The Battle of Arawe begins during the New Britain campaign. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — World War II: The Battle of Mount Austen, the Galloping Horse, and the Sea Horse begins during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Wikipedia ↗
• 1941 — The Holocaust: German troops murder over 15,000 Jews at Drobytsky Yar, a ravine southeast of the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine, Soviet Union. Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Gone with the Wind (highest inflation adjusted grossing film) receives its premiere at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — The Twenty-first Amendment to the United States Constitution officially becomes effective, repealing the Eighteenth Amendment that prohibited the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol. Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — World War I: An armistice between Russia and the Central Powers is signed. Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — World War I: The Serbian Army recaptures Belgrade from the invading Austro-Hungarian Army. Wikipedia ↗
• 1914 — A gas explosion at Mitsubishi Hōjō coal mine, in Kyushu, Japan, kills 687. Wikipedia ↗
• 1906 — The London Underground's Great Northern, Piccadilly and Brompton Railway opens. Wikipedia ↗
• 1905 — The Pushkin House is established in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to preserve the cultural heritage of Alexander Pushkin. Wikipedia ↗
• 1890 — Hunkpapa Lakota leader Sitting Bull is killed on Standing Rock Indian Reservation, leading to the Wounded Knee Massacre. Wikipedia ↗
• 1864 — American Civil War: Battle of Nashville: Union forces under George Thomas almost completely destroy the Army of Tennessee under John Hood. Wikipedia ↗
• 1791 — The United States Bill of Rights becomes law when ratified by the Virginia General Assembly. Wikipedia ↗
• 1778 — American Revolutionary War: British and French fleets clash in the Battle of St. Lucia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1651 — Castle Cornet in Guernsey, the last stronghold which had supported the King in the Third English Civil War, surrenders. Wikipedia ↗
• 1467 — Stephen III of Moldavia defeats Matthias Corvinus of Hungary, with the latter being injured thrice, at the Battle of Baia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1256 — Mongol forces under the command of Hulagu Khan enter and destroy the Hashshashin stronghold at Alamut Castle (in present-day Iran) as part of their offensive on Islamic southwest Asia. Wikipedia ↗
• 1167 — Sicilian Chancellor Stephen du Perche moves the royal court to Messina to prevent a rebellion. Wikipedia ↗
• 1161 — Jin-Song wars: Military officers conspire against the emperor Wanyan Liang of the Jin dynasty after a military defeat at the Battle of Caishi, and assassinate the emperor at his camp. Wikipedia ↗
• 687 — Pope Sergius I is elected. Wikipedia ↗
• 533 — Vandalic War: Byzantine general Belisarius defeats the Vandals, commanded by King Gelimer, at the Battle of Tricamarum. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on December 15

• 1997 — Zach Banks, American race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1997 — Magdalena Fręch, Polish tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Steven N'Zonzi, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Kim Junsu, South Korean singer-songwriter and dancer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Iveta Mazáčová, Czech sprinter Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Keylor Navas, Costa Rican footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Snejana Onopka, Ukrainian model Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Diogo Fernandes, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Martyn Bernard, English high jumper Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Delon Armitage, Trinidadian-English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Camilla Luddington, English actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Ronnie Radke, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Borja García, Spanish race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Tatiana Perebiynis, Ukrainian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Michelle Dockery, English actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Brendan Fletcher, Canadian actor and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Andy González, Puerto Rican-American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Thomas Herrion, American football player (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Roman Pavlyuchenko, Russian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Sergio Pizzorno, English singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Manuel Wilhelm, German rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Adam Brody, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Eric Young, Canadian-American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Ned Brower, American drummer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Mark Jansen, Dutch guitarist and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Jerome McDougle, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Mehmet Aurélio, Brazilian-Turkish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Geoff Stults, American actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Baichung Bhutia, Indian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Aaron Miles, American baseball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Todd Tichenor, American baseball player and umpire Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Gareth Archer, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Surya Bonaly, French figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Ryoo Seung-wan, South Korean actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Rodney Harrison, American football player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Stuart Townsend, Irish actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Clint Lowery, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Frankie Dettori, Italian jockey Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Lawrence Funderburke, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Michael Shanks, Canadian actor, screenwriter and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Chantal Petitclerc, Canadian wheelchair racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Adam Setliff, American discus thrower and lawyer Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — David Howells, English footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Mo Vaughn, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Carl Hooper, Guyanese cricketer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Paul Kaye, British Actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Norman J. Grossfeld, American screenwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Helen Slater, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — David Wingate, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Tim Gaines, American bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Simon Hodgkinson, English rugby player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Karin Resetarits, Austrian journalist and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Walter Werzowa, Austrian composer and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Greg Matthews, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Alan Whetton, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Gary Whetton, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Carlo J. Caparas, Filipino director and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Richard Kastle, American classical pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Mario Marois, Canadian ice hockey player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Mike McAlary, American journalist and author (d. 1998) Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Laura Molina, American singer, guitarist, actress, and painter Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Tim Reynolds, German-American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Tony Leon, South African lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Hector Sants, English banker Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Paul Simonon, English singer-songwriter and bass player Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Oliver Heald, English lawyer and politician, Solicitor General for England and Wales Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Mark Warner, American businessman and politician, 69th Governor of Virginia Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — John R. Allen, American general and diplomat Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — J. M. DeMatteis, American author Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Robert Charles Wilson, American-Canadian author Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Rudi Protrudi, American singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Allan Simonsen, Danish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1952 — Julie Taymor, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — George Donikian, Australian journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Joe Jordan, Scottish footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Tim Webster, Australian journalist and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Melanie Chartoff, American actress and comedian Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Sylvester James Gates, American theoretical physicist and professor Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Don Johnson, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Brian Roper, English economist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Carmine Appice, American drummer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Art Howe, American baseball player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Ivor Crewe, English political scientist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Jim Leyland, American baseball player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Chico Mendes, Brazilian trade union leader and activist (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Lucien den Arend, Dutch sculptor Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Kathleen Blanco, American educator and politician, 54th Governor of Louisiana Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Dave Clark, English drummer, songwriter, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Nick Buoniconti, American football player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Cindy Birdsong, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Michael Bogdanov, Welsh director and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Bob Foster, American boxer and police officer (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1938 — Billy Shaw, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Joe D'Amato, Italian director and producer (d. 1999) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Bapu, Indian director and screenwriter (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Tim Conway, American actor, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Donald Woods, South African journalist and activist (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — Jesse Belvin, American singer-songwriter and pianist (d. 1960) Wikipedia ↗
• 1932 — John Meurig Thomas, Welsh chemist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1931 — Klaus Rifbjerg, Danish author and poet (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Edna O'Brien, Irish novelist, playwright, poet and short story writer Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Ernest Ashworth, American singer-songwriter (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Ida Haendel, Polish-English violinist and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Friedensreich Hundertwasser, Austrian-New Zealand painter and architect (d. 2000) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Kasey Rogers, American actress and author (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Frank W. J. Olver, English-American mathematician and academic (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Ruhi Sarıalp, Turkish triple jumper and educator (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Pierre Cossette, American producer and manager (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Freeman Dyson, English-American physicist and mathematician Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Uziel Gal, German-Israeli engineer, designed the Uzi gun (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Valentin Varennikov, Russian general and politician (d. 2009) Wikipedia ↗
• 1921 — Alan Freed, American radio host (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Gamal al-Banna, Egyptian author and scholar (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Kurt Schaffenberger, German-American sergeant and illustrator (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1919 — Max Yasgur, American dairy farmer and host of the Woodstock Music & Art Fair (d. 1973) Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Jeff Chandler, American actor (d. 1961) Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Chihiro Iwasaki, Japanese painter and illustrator (d. 1974) Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — Shan-ul-Haq Haqqee, Indian-Pakistani linguist and lexicographer (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Miguel Arraes, Brazilian lawyer and politician, Governor of Pernambuco (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Buddy Cole, American pianist and conductor (d. 1964) Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — Maurice Wilkins, New Zealand-English physicist and biologist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Roger Gaudry, Canadian chemist and businessman (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Muriel Rukeyser, American poet, academic, and activist (d. 1980) Wikipedia ↗
• 1911 — Nicholas P. Dallis, American psychiatrist and illustrator (d. 1991) Wikipedia ↗
• 1911 — Stan Kenton, American pianist and composer (d. 1979) Wikipedia ↗
• 1910 — John Hammond, American record producer and critic (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1909 — Sattar Bahlulzade, Azerbaijani-Russian painter (d. 1974) Wikipedia ↗
• 1908 — Swami Ranganathananda, Indian monk, scholar, and author (d. 2005) Wikipedia ↗
• 1907 — Gordon Douglas, American actor, director, and screenwriter (d. 1993) Wikipedia ↗
• 1907 — Oscar Niemeyer, Brazilian architect, designed the United Nations Headquarters and the Cathedral of Brasília (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1903 — Tamanishiki San'emon, Japanese sumo wrestler, the 32nd Yokozuna (d. 1938) Wikipedia ↗
• 1902 — Robert F. Bradford, American lawyer and politician, 57th Governor of Massachusetts (d. 1983) Wikipedia ↗
• 1899 — Harold Abrahams, English sprinter, lawyer, and journalist (d. 1978) Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Betty Smith, American author and playwright (d. 1972) Wikipedia ↗
• 1894 — Vibert Douglas, Canadian astrophysicist and astronomer (d. 1988) Wikipedia ↗
• 1894 — Josef Imbach, Swiss sprinter (d. 1964) Wikipedia ↗
• 1892 — J. Paul Getty, American-English businessman and art collector, founded Getty Oil (d. 1976) Wikipedia ↗
• 1890 — Harry Babcock, American pole vaulter (d. 1965) Wikipedia ↗
• 1888 — Maxwell Anderson, American journalist and playwright (d. 1959) Wikipedia ↗
• 1885 — Leonid Pitamic, Slovenian lawyer, philosopher, and academic (d. 1971) Wikipedia ↗
• 1878 — Hans Carossa, German author and poet (d. 1956) Wikipedia ↗
• 1875 — Emilio Jacinto, Filipino journalist and activist (d. 1899) Wikipedia ↗
• 1869 — Leon Marchlewski, Polish chemist and academic (d. 1946) Wikipedia ↗
• 1863 — Arthur Dehon Little, American chemist and engineer (d. 1935) Wikipedia ↗
• 1861 — Charles Duryea, American engineer and businessman, co-founded the Duryea Motor Wagon Company (d. 1938) Wikipedia ↗
• 1861 — Pehr Evind Svinhufvud, Finnish lawyer, judge, and politician, 3rd President of Finland (d. 1944) Wikipedia ↗
• 1860 — Niels Ryberg Finsen, Faroese-Danish physician and educator, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1904) Wikipedia ↗
• 1860 — Abner Powell, American baseball player and manager (d. 1953) Wikipedia ↗
• 1859 — L. L. Zamenhof, Polish linguist and ophthalmologist, created Esperanto (d. 1917) Wikipedia ↗
• 1852 — Henri Becquerel, French physicist and chemist, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1908) Wikipedia ↗
• 1837 — E. W. Bullinger, English minister, scholar, and theologian (b. 1837 Wikipedia ↗
• 1832 — Gustave Eiffel, French architect and engineer, co-designed the Eiffel Tower (d. 1923) Wikipedia ↗
• 1789 — Carlos Soublette, Venezuelan general and politician, 11th President of Venezuela (d. 1870) Wikipedia ↗
• 1686 — Jean-Joseph Fiocco, Flemish violinist and composer (d. 1746) Wikipedia ↗
• 1657 — Michel Richard Delalande, French organist and composer (d. 1726) Wikipedia ↗
• 1610 — David Teniers the Younger, Flemish painter (d. 1690) Wikipedia ↗
• 1567 — Christoph Demantius, German composer, poet, and theorist (d. 1643) Wikipedia ↗
• 1447 — Albert IV, Duke of Bavaria (d. 1508) Wikipedia ↗
• 1242 — Prince Munetaka, Japanese shogun (d. 1274) Wikipedia ↗
• 130 — Lucius Verus, Roman emperor (d. 169) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on December 15 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on December 15

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Urs of Hadhrat Shaykh Moīn al-Dīn Chishti (ق)