November 15 stands as a pivotal date across centuries, marked by events that shaped nations and cultures. From the founding of the Moravian Church in 1738 to Brazil’s transformation into a republic in 1889, and the harrowing orders of Heinrich Himmler in 1943, this day echoes with significance. What other defining moments occurred on this date, and how do they connect to our understanding of history?
History
Major Historical Events
1738 – Founding of the Moravian Church in Georgia: On this day, the Moravian Church established its first permanent settlement in North America at Savannah, Georgia.
This marked the beginning of their missionary work in the region, focusing on spreading Christian teachings and community building among both settlers and Indigenous peoples.
1864 – Sherman’s March to the Sea Begins: Union General William Tecumseh Sherman initiated his infamous March to the Sea during the American Civil War, departing from Atlanta, Georgia.
His campaign aimed to cripple Confederate infrastructure by destroying railroads, supplies, and morale through a scorched-earth policy en route to Savannah.
1889 – Brazil Becomes a Republic: On November 15, Emperor Dom Pedro II was overthrown in a military coup led by Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, ending the Brazilian Empire and establishing the First Brazilian Republic.
This marked a crucial political shift in the country’s history, shifting from monarchy to a republican form of government.
1943 – Heinrich Himmler Orders Mass Deportations: During World War II, Heinrich Himmler, a leading Nazi official, issued orders for the mass deportation of Romani people to concentration camps.
This tragic directive contributed to the genocide of the Romani population as part of the Holocaust.
1985 – Anglo-Irish Agreement Signed: The United Kingdom and Ireland signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement at Hillsborough Castle, aiming to foster peace in Northern Ireland.
This landmark accord gave the Irish government an advisory role in Northern Ireland’s affairs, laying groundwork for future peace processes.
Famous Birthdays
1731 – William Cowper: Born on this day in Berkhamsted, England, William Cowper became a renowned poet and hymnodist.
His works, including “The Task,” contributed notably to the Romantic movement, often reflecting deep personal struggles and a love for nature.
1887 – Georgia O’Keeffe: The iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe was born in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Known for her large-scale paintings of flowers, desert landscapes, and bones, she became a central figure in American modernism, inspiring generations of artists.
1932 – Petula Clark: British singer and actress Petula Clark was born in Epsom, Surrey, England.
She rose to international fame with hits like “Downtown,” becoming one of the best-selling British female artists of the 20th century.
1967 – E-40: Born as Earl Stevens in Vallejo, California, E-40 emerged as a pioneering rapper and entrepreneur in the hip-hop industry.
Known for his unique slang and contributions to the Bay Area rap scene, he has influenced countless artists in the genre.
1986 – Sania Mirza: Indian tennis star Sania Mirza was born in Mumbai.
She achieved global recognition as one of India’s most successful female athletes, winning multiple Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles, and inspiring a new generation of players.
Notable Deaths
1630 – Johannes Kepler: The German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler passed away on this day in Regensburg, Germany.
Renowned for his laws of planetary motion, his work laid the foundation for Isaac Newton’s theory of universal gravitation.
1954 – Lionel Barrymore: American actor and director Lionel Barrymore died in Van Nuys, California.
A member of the legendary Barrymore acting family, he starred in films like “It’s a Wonderful Life” and won an Academy Award for “A Free Soul.”
1978 – Margaret Mead: The influential American anthropologist Margaret Mead passed away in New York City.
Known for her groundbreaking studies on cultural anthropology, particularly in Samoa, her work reshaped understanding of human behavior and societal norms.
Today in Music History
1965 – The Rolling Stones Release “Get Off of My Cloud”: On this day, The Rolling Stones topped the U.S. charts with their hit single “Get Off of My Cloud.”
The song, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, became one of their signature tracks, showcasing their rebellious rock-and-roll spirit.
1969 – Janis Joplin Arrested: Rock and blues singer Janis Joplin was arrested in Tampa, Florida, for using vulgar language during a concert.
The incident highlighted her fiery persona, though charges were later dropped, cementing her status as a counterculture icon.
1987 – Dire Straits’ “Money for Nothing” Wins MTV Award: Dire Straits’ groundbreaking music video for “Money for Nothing” won the Best Video of the Year at the MTV Video Music Awards.
The video, featuring early computer animation, became a cultural phenomenon of the 1980s.
2000 – Michael Jackson’s Legal Battle Over Beatles Catalog: On November 15, Michael Jackson faced a lawsuit from Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono regarding ownership rights to The Beatles’ song catalog.
Jackson had purchased the rights in 1985, sparking a long-standing dispute with McCartney.
Today in Sports History
1966 – Muhammad Ali Defends Heavyweight Title: Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, successfully defended his heavyweight boxing title against Cleveland Williams in Houston, Texas.
Ali’s speed and precision dominated the fight, solidifying his reputation as one of the greatest boxers in history.
1989 – Brett Hull Scores Milestone Goal: St. Louis Blues forward Brett Hull scored his 100th NHL goal on this day, becoming one of the league’s most prolific scorers.
Hull went on to achieve numerous records, including becoming one of the top goal-scorers in NHL history.
2005 – Eddie Guerrero’s Tragic Passing Remembered: Professional wrestler Eddie Guerrero was honored posthumously by WWE on this day, following his sudden death two days earlier.
His legacy as a charismatic and skilled performer continues to resonate with wrestling fans worldwide.
Today in Military and Naval History
1864 – Sherman’s March to the Sea Begins: As mentioned earlier, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman launched his devastating campaign from Atlanta during the American Civil War.
His military strategy aimed to break the Confederate will to fight by targeting civilian infrastructure.
1942 – Battle of Guadalcanal Naval Engagement: During World War II, the U.S. Navy engaged Japanese forces in a critical naval battle off Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.
This clash, part of a larger campaign, helped secure Allied control over the strategically crucial island.
1943 – Himmler’s Deportation Orders Issued: As noted in historical events, Heinrich Himmler ordered the deportation of Romani people to concentration camps, a grim chapter in Nazi military policy during the Holocaust that targeted marginalized groups.
Today in Tech and Science History
1926 – NBC Radio Network Launched: The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) aired its first radio broadcast on this day, marking the start of one of the earliest and most influential radio networks in the United States.
This event paved the way for modern broadcasting.
1971 – Intel Releases First Microprocessor: Intel introduced the 4004, the world’s first commercially available microprocessor, on November 15.
This groundbreaking invention, designed by Federico Faggin, Marcian Hoff, and Stanley Mazor, revolutionized computing and became the foundation for modern electronics.
2006 – Google Acquires YouTube: Google completed its acquisition of YouTube for $1.65 billion on this day, transforming the video-sharing platform into a global powerhouse.
This deal reshaped digital media and online content creation.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1887 – Georgia O’Keeffe’s Birth: As mentioned in birthdays, Georgia O’Keeffe was born on this day, later becoming a defining figure in American art.
Her bold depictions of nature and abstract forms challenged traditional artistic norms.
1939 – Gone with the Wind Premiere Announced: On November 15, preparations for the world premiere of “Gone with the Wind” were finalized, with the film debuting the following month.
The epic historical drama became a cultural milestone, winning multiple Academy Awards.
1965 – “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Soundtrack Recorded: The iconic soundtrack for “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” composed by Vince Guaraldi, began recording on this day.
The jazz-infused music became synonymous with holiday nostalgia and remains beloved worldwide.
1983 – Cyndi Lauper’s Debut Album Success: Cyndi Lauper’s debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” continued its chart dominance on this day, with hits like “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” defining 1980s pop culture.
Her quirky style and empowering anthems resonated with a generation.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1884 – First Recorded Use of “Flaked Cereal”: On this day, Dr. John Harvey Kellogg patented a process for creating flaked cereal at his sanitarium in Battle Creek, Michigan.
This quirky invention eventually led to the creation of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, revolutionizing breakfast.
1956 – Elvis Presley’s Film Debut Released: Elvis Presley’s first movie, “Love Me Tender,” premiered on November 15, delighting fans with his on-screen charm.
Notably, some critics initially panned his acting, unaware he’d become a Hollywood icon.
1988 – Soviet Space Shuttle Buran’s Unmanned Flight: The Soviet Union’s Buran space shuttle completed its first and only flight on this day, remarkably without a crew.
This oddity in space history showcased advanced automation but never led to further missions.
Today in History for Kids
1926 – First Radio Network Starts: Kids, imagine a time before TV or the internet!
On this day, NBC started broadcasting radio shows across America, letting families listen to stories, news, and music right at home for the first time.
1971 – First Tiny Computer Brain Made: A super small computer chip called the Intel 4004 was created on November 15.
It was like the brain of today’s computers, phones, and games, starting the tech world now.
1887 – Amazing Artist Born: Georgia O’Keeffe, a painter who made giant flowers and cool desert pictures, was born today.
She showed kids everywhere that art can be big, bold, and full of imagination.
1965 – Charlie Brown’s Christmas Music: The fun music for “A Charlie Brown Christmas” started being made on this day.
Its jazzy tunes make everyone feel happy during the holidays, even today!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1738 – Moravian Missionaries’ Unique Approach: Did you know that the Moravian settlers who arrived in Georgia on this day were known for their peaceful interactions with Indigenous peoples?
Unlike many other groups, they focused on education and mutual respect.
1864 – Sherman’s March Strategy: During Sherman’s March to the Sea, starting on November 15, Union soldiers foraged for food by taking crops and livestock from locals, earning the campaign a nickname as the “March of Destruction.”
1926 – NBC’s First Broadcast Reach: When NBC launched its radio network on this day, its first broadcast reached over 1,000 miles, connecting listeners from New York to Kansas City in a groundbreaking moment for communication.
1971 – Intel 4004’s Tiny Power: The Intel 4004 microprocessor, released on November 15, was the size of a fingernail but could perform 60,000 operations per second, an astonishing feat for its time that changed technology forever.
1985 – Anglo-Irish Agreement’s Secret Talks: The Anglo-Irish Agreement, signed on this day, was negotiated in such secrecy that even many British and Irish politicians didn’t know about it until the last moment, surprising the world.