December 15 has witnessed a remarkable array of historical events across centuries. From the birth of Roman Emperor Nero in 37 AD to the ratification of the U.S. Bill of Rights in 1791, this date holds significant milestones. Tragedies, triumphs, and cultural landmarks also mark its legacy. What other pivotal moments shaped this day? Uncover the intriguing stories that define December 15 in history.
History
Major Historical Events
37 – Birth of Nero: On December 15, 37 AD, Nero, one of the most infamous Roman emperors, was born in Antium, Italy.
Nero would later rule from 54 to 68 AD, becoming known for his tyranny, extravagance, and the persecution of Christians, as well as the great fire of Rome in 64 AD, which some historians claim he may have ordered.
1791 – Ratification of the Bill of Rights: On December 15, 1791, the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified.
These amendments guarantee fundamental freedoms such as speech, religion, and the press, shaping the foundation of American democracy.
1836 – Patent Office Fire: On December 15, 1836, a devastating fire destroyed the United States Patent Office in Washington, D.C., obliterating thousands of records and models of early American inventions.
This disaster led to the implementation of stricter fire safety measures for government buildings.
1961 – Adolf Eichmann Sentenced: On December 15, 1961, Adolf Eichmann, a key architect of the Holocaust, was sentenced to death by an Israeli court in Jerusalem.
Captured in Argentina the previous year, his trial brought global attention to Nazi war crimes and the horrors of the genocide.
1970 – Soviet Venera 7 Lands on Venus: On December 15, 1970, the Soviet spacecraft Venera 7 became the first human-made object to successfully land on Venus and transmit data back to Earth.
This marked a significant achievement in space exploration, despite the harsh conditions of the planet’s surface.
Famous Birthdays
37 – Nero: As mentioned earlier, Nero, the Roman emperor notorious for his cruel reign and the persecution of Christians, was born on December 15, 37 AD, in Antium, Italy.
His legacy remains one of controversy and infamy in Roman history.
1832 – Gustave Eiffel: Gustave Eiffel, the French engineer and architect behind the iconic Eiffel Tower, was born on December 15, 1832, in Dijon, France.
His innovative designs also contributed to the Statue of Liberty’s internal structure, cementing his place in architectural history.
1852 – Henri Becquerel: Henri Becquerel, the French physicist who discovered radioactivity, was born on December 15, 1852, in Paris, France.
His groundbreaking work earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903, shared with Pierre and Marie Curie.
1916 – Maurice Wilkins: Maurice Wilkins, the British physicist and molecular biologist who contributed to the discovery of DNA’s structure, was born on December 15, 1916, in Pongaroa, New Zealand.
His work with X-ray diffraction was essential to understanding the double-helix model, earning him a share of the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
Notable Deaths
1890 – Sitting Bull: Sitting Bull, the Hunkpapa Lakota leader who played a pivotal role in the resistance against U.S. government policies, was killed on December 15, 1890, during an arrest attempt by Indian Agency Police in South Dakota.
His leadership during the Battle of Little Bighorn made him a symbol of Native American resistance.
1943 – Fats Waller: Fats Waller, the influential American jazz pianist, singer, and composer, passed away on December 15, 1943, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Known for his lively performances and hits like “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” Waller left an indelible mark on the jazz world.
1966 – Walt Disney: Walt Disney, the visionary animator, producer, and founder of The Walt Disney Company, died on December 15, 1966, in Burbank, California.
His creations, including Mickey Mouse and Disneyland, revolutionized entertainment and continue to inspire generations.
Today in Music History
1944 – Glenn Miller Disappears: On December 15, 1944, big band leader Glenn Miller vanished over the English Channel while flying to entertain U.S. troops in France during World War II.
Known for hits like “In the Mood,” his mysterious disappearance remains unsolved, though his music endures as a symbol of the era.
1973 – Charlie Rich Hits Number One: On December 15, 1973, Charlie Rich’s single “The Most Beautiful Girl” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Blending country and pop, the song became a massive hit and solidified Rich’s nickname, “The Silver Fox.”
1984 – “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Released: On December 15, 1984, the charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” by Band Aid, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, debuted.
Featuring numerous British and Irish music stars, it raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia and inspired similar efforts worldwide.
Today in Sports History
1939 – First NFL Playoff Game: On December 15, 1939, the National Football League held its first-ever playoff game to determine the champion.
The Green Bay Packers defeated the New York Giants 27-0, marking a historic moment in professional football.
1974 – Oakland Raiders’ “Sea of Hands” Play: On December 15, 1974, the Oakland Raiders pulled off one of the most memorable plays in NFL history during a playoff game against the Miami Dolphins.
Known as the “Sea of Hands,” quarterback Ken Stabler’s last-second touchdown pass to Clarence Davis secured a dramatic victory.
Today in Military and Naval History
1864 – Battle of Nashville Begins: On December 15, 1864, the Battle of Nashville began during the American Civil War, pitting Union forces under General George H. Thomas against Confederate troops led by General John Bell Hood.
The two-day battle resulted in a decisive Union victory, weakening Confederate strength in the Western Theater.
1944 – Glenn Miller’s Disappearance: As noted earlier, on December 15, 1944, bandleader Glenn Miller disappeared during a military flight over the English Channel.
Serving as a major in the U.S. Army Air Forces, his loss was a significant blow to wartime morale.
2005 – Iraq War Troop Withdrawal Announced: On December 15, 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush announced plans for a gradual withdrawal of American troops from Iraq following successful elections in the country.
This marked a turning point in the controversial conflict, though full withdrawal took several more years.
Today in Tech and Science History
1970 – Venera 7 Lands on Venus: As previously mentioned, on December 15, 1970, the Soviet Union’s Venera 7 spacecraft made history by becoming the first to land on Venus and send data back to Earth.
Despite only transmitting for 23 minutes due to the planet’s extreme conditions, it was a landmark achievement in planetary exploration.
2006 – Firefox 2.0.0.1 Released: On December 15, 2006, Mozilla released an update to its popular web browser, Firefox 2.0.0.1, addressing security vulnerabilities.
This version helped solidify Firefox as a major competitor to Internet Explorer during the early browser wars.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1939 – “Gone with the Wind” Premiere: On December 15, 1939, the epic film “Gone with the Wind,” based on Margaret Mitchell’s novel, premiered in Atlanta, Georgia.
Starring Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable, it became a cultural phenomenon and won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
1969 – “Sesame Street” Expands Internationally: On December 15, 1969, plans were finalized to bring the groundbreaking children’s television program “Sesame Street” to international audiences.
Its educational content and diverse characters quickly made it a global staple in children’s programming.
1989 – “Driving Miss Daisy” Released: On December 15, 1989, the film “Driving Miss Daisy,” starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, premiered in the United States.
The story of an evolving friendship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African American chauffeur won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1902 – First Christmas Card Lawsuit: On December 15, 1902, a bizarre legal case emerged in the United States when a man sued a company over a Christmas card design he claimed was offensive.
Though the case was dismissed, it highlighted early debates over holiday commercialism and free expression.
1978 – Superman’s Odd Promotion: On December 15, 1978, coinciding with the release of the “Superman” film starring Christopher Reeve, a promotional event in New York City featured a man dressed as the superhero “flying” over Times Square on a harness.
The stunt drew laughs and cheers, though it was more comical than convincing.
Today in History for Kids
37 – A Roman Emperor is Born: On December 15, 37 AD, a boy named Nero was born in Italy.
He grew up to be a Roman emperor, but he wasn’t a very nice ruler.
People still talk about the big fire in Rome that happened while he was in charge!
1939 – A Big Movie Comes Out: On December 15, 1939, a super famous movie called “Gone with the Wind” was shown for the first time in Georgia.
It’s a story about a time long ago during a war in America, and lots of people loved watching it.
1970 – A Robot Lands on Venus: On December 15, 1970, a space machine from Russia landed on the planet Venus.
It was the first time anything made by humans touched that super hot planet and sent messages back to Earth about what it was like there.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1791 – Bill of Rights Ratified: Did you know that on December 15, 1791, the first ten rules added to the U.S. Constitution were officially approved?
These rules, called the Bill of Rights, make sure people in America have important freedoms like speaking their minds and practicing their own religion.
1836 – Lost Inventions: Here’s something wild—on December 15, 1836, a huge fire burned down the U.S. Patent Office, and tons of cool invention ideas and models were lost forever.
Imagine all the neat gadgets we’ll never know about!
1961 – A Historic Trial Ends: On December 15, 1961, a man named Adolf Eichmann was sentenced for terrible crimes during World War II.
His trial in Israel reminded the world about the importance of justice and remembering history so we don’t repeat bad mistakes.
1970 – Venus Victory: Fun fact: On December 15, 1970, humans made history when a spacecraft called Venera 7 landed on Venus.
It only worked for a short time because Venus is so hot and harsh, but it still told scientists amazing things about the planet!