June 15

Historic Events

2013

A bomb explodes on a bus in the Pakistani city of Quetta, killing at least 25 people and wounding 22 others. ›

1996

The Troubles: The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) detonates a powerful truck bomb in the middle of Manchester, England, devastating the city centre and injuring 200 people. ›

1992

The United States Supreme Court rules in United States v. Álvarez-Machaín that it is permissible for the United States to forcibly extradite suspects in foreign countries and bring them to the United States for trial, without approval from those other countries. ›

1991

In the Philippines, Mount Pinatubo erupts in the second largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century, killing over 800 people. ›

1988

The Ariane 4 rocket is launched on its maiden flight. ›

1977

After the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975, the first democratic elections take place in Spain. ›

1972

Cathay Pacific Flight 700Z is destroyed by a bomb over Pleiku, Vietnam (then South Vietnam) and kills 81 people. ›

1944

World War II: The United States invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate. ›

1944

In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America. ›

1940

World War II: Operation Aerial begins: Allied troops start to evacuate France, following Germany's takeover of Paris and most of the nation. ›

1920

Following the 1920 Schleswig plebiscites, Northern Schleswig is transferred from Germany to Denmark. ›

1919

John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland. ›

1904

A fire aboard the steamboat SS General Slocum in New York City's East River kills 1,000. ›

1896

One of the deadliest tsunamis in Japan's history kills more than 22,000 people. ›

1864

American Civil War: The Second Battle of Petersburg begins. ›

1859

Ambiguity in the Oregon Treaty leads to the "Northwestern Boundary Dispute" between American and British/Canadian settlers. ›

1846

The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1818, westward to the Pacific Ocean. ›

1834

The looting of Safed commences. ›

1826

In the Auspicious Incident, the Janissary mutiny against Sultan Mahmud II is defeated and the Janissary corps is disbanded as a result. ›

1804

New Hampshire approves the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratifying the document. ›

1607

Virginia colonists finish building James's Fort, to defend against Spanish and Native American attacks. ›

1567

Mary, Queen of Scots, and her new husband Bothwell are confronted by disgruntled Scottish nobles in the encounter at Carberry Hill. The stand-off ends with the surrender of queen Mary. ›

1520

Pope Leo X threatens to excommunicate Martin Luther in Exsurge Domine. ›

1410

In a decisive battle at Onon River, the Mongol forces of Oljei Temur were decimated by the Chinese armies of the Yongle Emperor. ›

1410

Ottoman Interregnum: Süleyman Çelebi defeats his brother Musa Çelebi outside the Byzantine capital, Constantinople. ›

1389

The Ottomans under Sultan Murad I defeat a Serb army under Lazar of Serbia in the battle of Kosovo. Both leaders are killed in the battle. ›

1312

At the Battle of Rozgony, King Charles I of Hungary wins a decisive victory over the family of Palatine Amade Aba. ›

1310

The Tiepolo conspiracy, seeking to seize power in the Republic of Venice, is thwarted after bloody street clashes in Venice. The suppression of the revolt will lead to the creation of the Council of Ten. ›

1285

The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Venice conclude a treaty. Apart from agreeing on a ten year truce, the Venetians are alloted a commercial quarter in Constantinople and are restored to earlier privileges. ›

1246

With the death of Frederick II, Duke of Austria, the Babenberg dynasty ends in Austria. ›

1219

Northern Crusades: Danish victory at the Battle of Lindanise (modern-day Tallinn) establishes the Danish Duchy of Estonia. ›

1215

King John of England puts his seal to Magna Carta. ›

1184

The naval Battle of Fimreite is won by the Birkebeiner pretender Sverre Sigurdsson. Sigurdsson takes the Norwegian throne and King Magnus V of Norway is killed. ›

923

Battle of Soissons: King Robert I of France is killed and King Charles the Simple is arrested by the supporters of Duke Rudolph of Burgundy. ›

844

Louis II is crowned as king of Italy at Rome by pope Sergius II. ›

763 BC

Assyrians record a solar eclipse that is later used to fix the chronology of Mesopotamian history. ›