A meteor exploded over Chelyabinsk, Russia, injuring over 1,500 people
MajorThe largest meteor to enter Earth's atmosphere since 1908 created a shockwave that shattered windows across six cities. Dashcam footage captured the s...
February 15 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2013
2003
Millions of people worldwide protested against the Iraq War
Coordinated demonstrations in over 600 cities created what the Guinness Book of Records called the largest protest event in human history. An estimate...
1989
The Soviet Union completed its withdrawal from Afghanistan after nine years
The last Soviet troops crossed the Friendship Bridge into Uzbekistan, ending the USSR's disastrous Afghan campaign. Often called the Soviet Union's Vi...
1985
The first internet domain name, symbolics.com, was registered
Computer manufacturer Symbolics made history by registering the very first .com domain name. There was no grand vision of commercializing the internet...
1971
The United Kingdom and Ireland adopted decimal currency
Known as "Decimal Day," both nations finally abandoned the confusing system of pounds, shillings, and pence. The old system had 12 pence to a shilling...
1965
Canada adopted the maple leaf flag, replacing the British Red Ensign
After intense debate, Canada finally got its iconic red and white flag with the distinctive maple leaf design. The old flag had featured the Union Jac...
1947
A meteor landed in Sikhote-Alin, Russia, creating 122 craters
Witnesses reported seeing a fireball brighter than the sun, followed by a massive explosion and tremors felt 200 miles away. Scientists collected over...
1933
Giuseppe Zangara attempted to assassinate President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in Miami
The Italian immigrant fired five shots at FDR but missed entirely, instead fatally wounding Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak who was standing nearby. Zangar...
1898
The USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, killing 266 sailors
MajorThe mysterious explosion of the American battleship became a catalyst for the Spanish-American War. The rallying cry "Remember the Maine!" swept the n...
1879
President Rutherford B. Hayes signed a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the U.S. Supreme Court
The landmark legislation came after attorney Belva Lockwood petitioned Congress for the right to practice before the high court. Just days later, Lock...
1820
Susan B. Anthony was born in Adams, Massachusetts
MajorThe pioneering women's rights activist was born into a Quaker family that believed in equality and social justice. She would spend her life fighting f...
1758
Mustafa III became Sultan of the Ottoman Empire
Upon his brother's death, Mustafa ascended to lead one of history's most powerful empires. His reign saw continued conflicts with Russia and internal...
1564
Galileo Galilei was born in Pisa, Italy
MajorThe father of modern science entered the world on this day. He would go on to improve the telescope, discover Jupiter's moons, and defend heliocentris...
