May 15 has witnessed a range of pivotal events across centuries, from political shifts to cultural milestones. Paraguay declared independence from Spain in 1811, while the first McDonald’s opened in 1940. Births, deaths, and groundbreaking moments like Mickey Mouse’s debut in 1928 also mark this date. These diverse occurrences hint at a broader tapestry of history waiting to be explored further.
History
Major Historical Events
1811 – Paraguay’s Independence: On May 15, 1811, Paraguay declared its independence from Spain, becoming one of the first South American countries to do so.
This followed a bloodless revolution led by local leaders who sought autonomy after centuries of colonial rule.
1858 – Opening of the Royal Opera House: The Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden opened its doors on May 15, 1858, after being rebuilt following a devastating fire.
It remains one of the world’s most iconic venues for opera and ballet.
1940 – First McDonald’s Restaurant Opens: On May 15, 1940, brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald’s restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
This marked the beginning of what would become a global fast-food empire.
1972 – Return of Okinawa to Japan: After 27 years of American administration following World War II, Okinawa was officially returned to Japanese control on May 15, 1972.
This marked a significant moment in post-war reconciliation.
1988 – Soviet Withdrawal from Afghanistan Begins: On May 15, 1988, the Soviet Union began withdrawing its troops from Afghanistan after a decade-long conflict.
This signaled the end of a costly and controversial military campaign.
Famous Birthdays
1567 – Claudio Monteverdi: Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi, often credited as a pioneer of opera, was born on May 15, 1567, in Cremona.
His works bridged the Renaissance and Baroque periods, shaping the future of Western music.
1856 – L. Frank Baum: The author of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” L. Frank Baum, was born on May 15, 1856, in Chittenango, New York.
His iconic story became a cornerstone of American children’s literature.
1937 – Madeleine Albright: Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, was born on May 15, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia.
She played a key role in shaping American foreign policy during the 1990s.
1981 – Zara Phillips: British equestrian and member of the royal family Zara Phillips, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, was born on May 15, 1981.
She won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics as part of the British eventing team.
Notable Deaths
1886 – Emily Dickinson: American poet Emily Dickinson passed away on May 15, 1886, in Amherst, Massachusetts.
Known for her reclusive life, her profound and innovative poetry gained widespread acclaim after her death.
1935 – Kazimir Malevich: Russian avant-garde artist Kazimir Malevich, a pioneer of abstract art and founder of the Suprematist movement, died on May 15, 1935, in Leningrad.
His work revolutionized modern art.
1984 – Francis Schaeffer: American theologian and philosopher Francis Schaeffer died on May 15, 1984.
His writings on Christian apologetics and cultural analysis influenced evangelical thought in the 20th century.
Today in Music History
1963 – Bob Dylan Walks Out on Ed Sullivan Show: On May 15, 1963, Bob Dylan walked off the set of “The Ed Sullivan Show” after CBS censors refused to let him perform his song “Talkin’ John Birch Paranoid Blues,” deeming it too controversial.
This moment highlighted Dylan’s rebellious spirit.
1974 – Frank Zappa’s Album Release: Frank Zappa released his album “Apostrophe (‘),” on May 15, 1974, which became one of his most commercially successful works.
It featured the hit instrumental “Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow.”
1981 – George Harrison’s Tribute Single: George Harrison released “All Those Years Ago” on May 15, 1981, a single paying tribute to his late Beatles bandmate John Lennon, who had been tragically killed the previous year.
Today in Sports History
1918 – First Airmail Flight: On May 15, 1918, the first regular airmail service in the United States began with a flight between Washington, D.C., and New York City, piloted by Army aviators.
While not a traditional sport, this daring feat showcased human endurance and skill.
1953 – Rocky Marciano Retains Title: Heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano knocked out Jersey Joe Walcott in the first round on May 15, 1953, in Chicago.
He retained his title in a stunning display of power.
1973 – Nolan Ryan’s First No-Hitter: On May 15, 1973, pitcher Nolan Ryan threw his first career no-hitter for the California Angels against the Kansas City Royals.
This marked the start of a record-setting career.
2010 – Jessica Watson Completes Solo Sail: Australian sailor Jessica Watson completed her solo, unassisted circumnavigation of the world on May 15, 2010, at the age of 16.
She became the youngest person to achieve this feat at the time.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – Creation of the U.S. Department of Agriculture: On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation establishing the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This indirectly supported military efforts during the Civil War by improving food production for troops.
1942 – Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps Established: On May 15, 1942, the U.S. Congress authorized the creation of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), allowing women to serve in non-combat roles during World War II.
This was a historic step for gender inclusion in the military.
1963 – Launch of Faith 7: On May 15, 1963, astronaut Gordon Cooper launched into space aboard Faith 7 as part of Project Mercury.
This marked the final mission of the program and a key moment in the U.S. military’s space race efforts.
Today in Tech and Science History
1718 – First Machine Gun Patented: On May 15, 1718, British lawyer James Puckle patented what is considered the first machine gun, known as the Puckle Gun.
Though never widely used, it was an early innovation in weaponry technology.
1963 – Project Mercury’s Final Flight: As mentioned earlier, Gordon Cooper’s Faith 7 mission on May 15, 1963, concluded NASA’s Project Mercury.
This paved the way for future manned space exploration programs like Apollo.
2009 – Launch of the Herschel Space Observatory: On May 15, 2009, the European Space Agency launched the Herschel Space Observatory, the largest infrared telescope ever sent into space.
It contributed to significant discoveries about star formation and galaxy evolution.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1928 – Mickey Mouse Debuts: On May 15, 1928, Walt Disney’s iconic character Mickey Mouse appeared in his first test screening in the short film “Plane Crazy,” though it was not officially released until later.
This marked the beginning of a cultural phenomenon.
1930 – First Airline Stewardess: On May 15, 1930, Ellen Church became the world’s first airline stewardess, flying on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Cheyenne.
Her role helped shape the modern airline industry and its cultural image.
1957 – Britain Tests Hydrogen Bomb: On May 15, 1957, Britain conducted its first successful hydrogen bomb test in the Pacific Ocean.
This was a controversial event that fueled cultural debates about nuclear power during the Cold War.
1985 – Prince Charles and Diana Open V&A Exhibit: On May 15, 1985, Prince Charles and Princess Diana opened a major exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
This reinforced the royal family’s role in promoting British arts and culture.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1905 – Las Vegas Founded: On May 15, 1905, the city of Las Vegas was officially founded when 110 acres of land were auctioned off in what is now downtown.
Notably, it started as a small railroad stop before becoming the gambling capital of the world.
1941 – First Nylon Stockings Sold: On May 15, 1941, the first nylon stockings went on sale in the United States, leading to a frenzy as women lined up to buy them.
Oddly, during World War II, these stockings were later repurposed to make parachutes.
1970 – The Beatles’ Final Album Release: On May 15, 1970, “Let It Be,” the final studio album by The Beatles, was released in the UK.
Curiously, much of the album was recorded before “Abbey Road,” creating confusion about the band’s timeline.
Today in History for Kids
1811 – Paraguay Becomes Free: On May 15, 1811, the country of Paraguay said, “We want to make our own rules!” and became independent from Spain.
It was like telling a grown-up you can take care of yourself now.
1928 – Mickey Mouse’s First Show: On May 15, 1928, Mickey Mouse, the famous cartoon mouse, showed up for the first time in a short movie.
Kids everywhere started loving his funny adventures with friends like Minnie and Donald.
2010 – Young Sailor’s Big Trip: On May 15, 2010, a 16-year-old girl named Jessica Watson sailed all the way around the world by herself.
Imagine sailing across huge oceans without any grown-ups to help!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1869 – Women’s Suffrage Organization Formed: On May 15, 1869, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton founded the National Woman Suffrage Association in the United States.
This was a pivotal step toward women gaining the right to vote.
Did you know it took over 50 years after this for women to win that right nationally?
1948 – Egypt Invades Israel: On May 15, 1948, just one day after Israel declared independence, Egypt and other Arab states invaded, starting the first Arab-Israeli War.
This conflict’s impact is still felt in the region today.
1974 – Teen Becomes Youngest Everest Climber: On May 15, 1974, a 17-year-old Japanese student, Junko Tabei, became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Amazingly, she did it just 12 days after recovering from an avalanche during her climb.
1987 – Longest Paper Airplane Flight Recorded: On May 15, 1987, a paper airplane thrown by Tony Felch stayed in the air for 1 minute and 59 seconds, setting a world record at the time.
It’s a fun reminder that even small things can make history!