This Day in History: What Happened Today in History – January 15

Every day has a history. But have you ever thought about what happened on January 15? Why do we mark this date and remember it? History is full of surprising and important events that shaped our world. On January 15, moments from politics, science, culture, and everyday life came together to make a day worth remembering. In this article, we'll explore the key events that happened on this day in different years, from famous birthdays and historic breakthroughs to landmark moments that changed nations and ideas.

What Happened On This Day—January 15?

Here's what happened in history on January 15:

1559 – Elizabeth I Crowned Queen of England

• On January 15, 1559, Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England.
• The ceremony took place at Westminster Abbey in London.
• She was the daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
• Her half-sister, Queen Mary I, had died two months earlier.
• Elizabeth ruled during a major period of political and cultural change.

1777 – Vermont Declares Independence

• On January 15, 1777, Vermont declared independence.
• It separated from British rule and the colony of New York.
• A convention met in Westminster to make the declaration.
• Vermont later became the 14th U.S. state in 1791.

1831 – "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" Is Finished

• On January 15, 1831, Victor Hugo finished his novel.
• The book is also called Notre Dame de Paris.
• Hugo wrote the novel in just four months.
• It became one of the most famous works in literature.

1870 – Democratic Party Donkey Appears

• On January 15, 1870, the donkey symbol first appeared.
• Cartoonist Thomas Nast drew it in Harper's Weekly.
• The donkey later became linked to the Democratic Party.

1919 – Boston Molasses Flood

• On January 15, 1919, a molasses tank burst in Boston.
• Hot molasses flooded the streets at high speed.
• 21 people were killed, and many were injured.
• It became one of the city's strangest disasters.

1919 – Coup Leaders Murdered in Berlin

• A failed socialist coup ended on January 15, 1919.
• Leaders Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were killed.
• Right-wing paramilitary forces crushed the uprising.
• The event shook post-war Germany.

1929 – Martin Luther King Jr. was born

• Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15, 1929.
• He became a major leader of the U.S. civil rights movement.
• He fought for equality using non-violent methods.

1951 – "Witch of Buchenwald" Sentenced

• On January 15, 1951, Ilse Koch was sentenced to life in prison.
• She was linked to crimes at the Buchenwald concentration camp.
• She was known for extreme cruelty.

1967 – First Super Bowl Played

• On January 15, 1967, Super Bowl I was held.
• The Green Bay Packers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs.
• The final score was 35–10.
• It marked the beginning of the Super Bowl era.

1967 – Ed Sullivan vs. The Rolling Stones

• On January 15, 1967, Ed Sullivan demanded lyric changes.
• The Rolling Stones altered "Let's Spend the Night Together."
• They sang "Let's Spend Some Time Together" on TV.
• The band rolled their eyes during the performance.

1968 – Women March Against the Vietnam War

• On January 15, 1968, 5,000 women marched in Washington, D.C.
• The protest was led by Jeannette Rankin.
• She was the first woman elected to U.S. Congress.
• The march opposed the Vietnam War.

1972 – "American Pie" Hits #1

• On January 15, 1972, American Pie reached No. 1.
• The song was written by Don McLean.
• It became one of the most famous songs in U.S. history.

1981 – “Hill Street Blues” Premieres

• On January 15, 1981, Hill Street Blues debuted on NBC.
• It changed how police dramas were made.
• The show received critical praise.

1990 – Soviet Troops Enter Azerbaijan

• On January 15, 1990, Soviet troops were sent to Azerbaijan.
• The move followed violent clashes in the region.
• It showed the Soviet government's weakening control.

2001 – Wikipedia Launches

• Wikipedia went live on January 15, 2001.
• It was created after the failure of Nupedia.
• It became the world's largest free encyclopaedia.

2009 – Miracle on the Hudson

• On January 15, 2009, a plane struck birds after takeoff.
• Pilot Sully Sullenberger landed the plane on the Hudson River.
• All 155 passengers and crew survived.

Which Famous Personalities Were Born and Died on January 15?

January 15 marks notable birthdays and deaths of influential figures throughout history, celebrating legacies in the arts, science, and sports.

Notable Births on January 15

1908 – Edward Teller

• Edward Teller was born on January 15, 1908.
• He was a Hungarian-American theoretical physicist.
• He is known as the "father of the hydrogen bomb".

1941 – Captain Beefheart

• Captain Beefheart was born on January 15, 1941.
• He was a singer-songwriter and musician.
• His music mixed blues, rock, and free jazz.
• He is known for Trout Mask Replica.

1971 – Regina King was born

• Regina King was born on January 15, 1971.
• She is an actress and film director.
• She starred in Ray, Watchmen, and If Beale Street Could Talk.

Notable Deaths on January 15

1919 – Rosa Luxemburg (Died)

• Rosa Luxemburg died on January 15, 1919.
• She was a Russian-born economist, philosopher, and revolutionary thinker.
• She opposed war and helped shape socialist movements in Europe.

1947 – Elizabeth Short (Died)

• On January 15, 1947, Elizabeth Short was found dead.
• She was an American woman whose murder became widely known.
• The case was later called the Black Dahlia murder.

1950 – Henry H. Arnold (Died)

• Henry H. Arnold died on January 15, 1950.
• He was an American general and aviation pioneer.
• He helped shape the U.S. Air Force’s early history.

1988 – Seán MacBride (Died)

• Seán MacBride died on January 15, 1988.
• He was an Irish politician and Nobel Peace Prize winner.
• He worked for human rights and international law.

1994 – Harry Nilsson (Died)

• On January 15, 1994, Harry Nilsson died.
• He was an American singer-songwriter and musician.
• Nilsson was known for many hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s.