TODAY IN HISTORY: MAY 15

 

May 15

May 15 is an important date in history, marking significant events and moments across different years and cultures. From historical milestones to notable birthdays and impactful occurrences, this date holds a myriad of stories worth exploring. This article will delve into various events that took place on May 15 throughout history, shedding light on their significance and impact.

One of the most notable events that occurred on May 15 took place in 1213 when King John of England signed the historic Treaty of Kings with Philip II of France. This treaty ended the Anglo-French War and solidified a peace agreement between the two countries. This event was essential in promoting stability and prosperity in Europe, leading to increased trade and cultural exchanges between England and France.

Moving forward in history, May 15, 1602, witnessed the opening of the Dutch East India Company, which would later become one of the most influential trading companies in the world. This event marked the birth of modern international trade and set the stage for colonial expansion and economic dominance in many parts of the world. The Dutch East India Company played a crucial role in shaping the global economy as we know it today.

Shifting gears to the 19th century, May 15, 1856, holds particular significance in the field of literature, as it marks the birthday of revered American poet and essayist, L. Frank Baum. Baum is best known for his creation of the beloved children's book, \The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.\ His vivid imagination and mesmerizing storytelling continue to captivate readers even more than a century later, making him an everlasting inspiration in the literary world.

In addition to notable birthdays, May 15, 1891, saw the first public display of the infamous painting, \Sunflowers,\ by Vincent van Gogh. The art world was forever changed by van Gogh's unique style and undeniably emotional works. \Sunflowers\ is one of his most acclaimed and recognizable masterpieces, showcasing his genius and the lasting impact he has had on the art community.

Fast forward to the 20th century, and May 15, 1940, marks a dark moment in history as the Netherlands surrendered to Nazi Germany during World War II. This event marked a turning point in the war and had profound implications for Europe and the world. The Dutch surrender signified the beginning of an occupation that would last until 1945, bringing suffering and hardship to the Dutch people.

On a more positive note, May 15, 1940, also witnessed the birth of revered American filmmaker and director, Lina Wertmüller. Wertmüller made history as the first woman ever to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Director for her film, \Seven Beauties,\ in 1976. Her groundbreaking contributions to the film industry paved the way for future generations of female filmmakers to follow their dreams and break barriers.

May 15, 1972, is notable for an event that brought together two Cold War superpowers. President Richard Nixon of the United States arrived in Moscow for an eight-day summit with Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev. The summit, known as the Moscow Summit, aimed to ease tensions and enhance bilateral relations between the two nations. This meeting resulted in the signing of the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT I), a significant step toward nuclear disarmament.

In the realm of technology, May 15, 1984, marked the day when researchers at the National Cancer Institute discovered the first oncogene, a gene that can cause cancer. This discovery revolutionized the field of oncology, leading to groundbreaking advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of cancer. It provided scientists with valuable insights into the molecular biology of cancer and paved the way for targeted therapies.

Finally, May 15, 2008, saw an important scientific breakthrough as researchers unveiled the most complete fossil of a transitional species between sea and land dwellers. Known as Tiktaalik, this fossil provided significant evidence for the evolution from fish to tetrapods. It shed light on the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life, helping scientists better understand the evolution of life on Earth.

In conclusion, May 15 holds a plethora of historical, cultural, and scientific events that have shaped the world as we know it. From peace treaties and artistic milestones to scientific breakthroughs and impactful birthdays, this date emerges as a microcosm of human history. As we remember and reflect on these significant events, we can appreciate the richness and diversity of our shared past and the impact they continue to have on our present and future.

Here are more events from this day:

221 – Liu Bei, Chinese warlord, proclaims himself emperor of Shu Han, the successor of the Han dynasty.

392 – Emperor Valentinian II is assassinated while advancing into Gaul against the Frankish usurper Arbogast. He is found hanging in his residence at Vienne.

589 – King Authari marries Theodelinda, daughter of the Bavarian duke Garibald I. A Catholic, she has great influence among the Lombard nobility.

756 – Abd al-Rahman I, the founder of the Arab dynasty that ruled the greater part of Iberia for nearly three centuries, becomes emir of Cordova, Spain.

1252 – Pope Innocent IV issues the papal bull ad extirpanda, which authorizes, but also limits, the torture of heretics in the Medieval Inquisition.

1525 – Insurgent peasants led by Anabaptist pastor Thomas Müntzer were defeated at the Battle of Frankenhausen, ending the German Peasants' War in the Holy Roman Empire.

1536 – Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, stands trial in London on charges of treason, adultery and incest; she is condemned to death by a specially-selected jury.

1602 – Cape Cod is sighted by English navigator Bartholomew Gosnold.

1618 – Johannes Kepler confirms his previously rejected discovery of the third law of planetary motion (he first discovered it on March 8 but soon rejected the idea after some initial calculations were made).

1648 – The Peace of Münster is ratified, by which Spain acknowledges Dutch sovereignty.

1791 – French Revolution: Maximilien Robespierre proposes the Self-denying Ordinance.

1817 – Opening of the first private mental health hospital in the United States, the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason (now Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).

1836 – Francis Baily observes "Baily's beads" during an annular eclipse.

1849 – The Sicilian revolution of 1848 is finally extinguished.

1850 – The Arana–Southern Treaty is ratified, ending "the existing differences" between Great Britain and Argentina.

1851 – The first Australian gold rush is proclaimed, although the discovery had been made three months earlier.

1864 – American Civil War: Battle of New Market, Virginia: Students from the Virginia Military Institute fight alongside the Confederate army to force Union General Franz Sigel out of the Shenandoah Valley.

1891 – Pope Leo XIII defends workers' rights and property rights in the encyclical Rerum novarum, the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching.

1905 – The city of Las Vegas founded in Nevada, United States.

1911 – In Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States, the United States Supreme Court declares Standard Oil to be an "unreasonable" monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and orders the company to be broken up.

1911 – More than 300 Chinese immigrants are killed in the Torreón massacre when the forces of the Mexican Revolution led by Emilio Madero take the city of Torreón from the Federales.

1918 – The Finnish Civil War ends when the Whites took over Fort Ino, a Russian coastal artillery base on the Karelian Isthmus, from the Russian troops.

1919 – The Winnipeg general strike begins. By 11:00, almost the whole working population of Winnipeg had walked off the job.

1919 – Greek occupation of Smyrna. During the occupation, the Greek army kills or wounds 350 Turks; those responsible are punished by Greek commander Aristides Stergiades.

1929 – A fire at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio kills 123.

1932 – In an attempted coup d'état, the Prime Minister of Japan Inukai Tsuyoshi is assassinated.

1933 – All military aviation organizations within or under the control of the RLM of Germany were officially merged in a covert manner to form its Wehrmacht military's air arm, the Luftwaffe.

1940 – USS Sailfish is recommissioned. It was originally the USS Squalus.

1940 – World War II: The Battle of the Netherlands: After fierce fighting, the poorly trained and equipped Dutch troops surrender to Germany, marking the beginning of five years of occupation.

1940 – Richard and Maurice McDonald open the first McDonald's restaurant.

1941 – First flight of the Gloster E.28/39 the first British and Allied jet aircraft.

1942 – World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.

1943 – Joseph Stalin dissolves the Comintern (or Third International).

1945 – World War II: The Battle of Poljana, the final skirmish in Europe is fought near Prevalje, Slovenia.

1948 – Following the expiration of The British Mandate for Palestine, the Kingdom of Egypt, Transjordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia invade Israel thus starting the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.

1957 – At Malden Island in the Pacific Ocean, Britain tests its first hydrogen bomb in Operation Grapple.

1963 – Project Mercury: The launch of the final Mercury mission, Mercury-Atlas 9 with astronaut Gordon Cooper on board. He becomes the first American to spend more than a day in space, and the last American to go into space alone.

1970 – President Richard Nixon appoints Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female United States Army generals.

1972 – The Ryukyu Islands, under U.S. military governance since its conquest in 1945, reverts to Japanese control.

1974 – Ma'alot massacre: Members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine attack and take hostages at an Israeli school; a total of 31 people are killed, including 22 schoolchildren.

1988 – Soviet–Afghan War: After more than eight years of fighting, the Soviet Army begins to withdraw 115,000 troops from Afghanistan.

1991 – Édith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.

1997 – The United States government acknowledges the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos and dedicates the Laos Memorial in honor of Hmong and other "Secret War" veterans.

1997 – The Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-84 to dock with the Russian space station Mir.

2001 – A CSX EMD SD40-2 rolls out of a train yard in Walbridge, Ohio, with 47 freight cars, including some tank cars with flammable chemical, after its engineer fails to reboard it after setting a yard switch. It travels south driverless for 66 miles (106 km) until it was brought to a halt near Kenton. The incident became the inspiration for the 2010 film Unstoppable.

2004 – Arsenal F.C. go an entire league campaign unbeaten in the English Premier League, joining Preston North End F.C. with the right to claim the title "The Invincibles".

2008 – California becomes the second U.S. state after Massachusetts in 2004 to legalize same-sex marriage after the state's own Supreme Court rules a previous ban unconstitutional.

2010 – Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.

2013 – An upsurge in violence in Iraq leaves more than 389 people dead over three days.