On This Day - August 15th
We have officially made it midway through August. For some of us, that means our vacations are about to begin, while for others it generally means that they’re coming to a close. However, August 15th is about far more than taking time away – as you’re about to see, there have been plenty of historical events that have unfolded mid-month, and if you’re celebrating a birthday today, there are some surprising famous folks you share the day with. Let’s dive in!
On this day
The last Byzantine Empire remnant fell.
On this date in 1461, the Empire of Trebizond surrendered to Sultan Mehmet II’s forces. Emperor David was then exiled and eventually murdered.
The Mayflower left for the New World.
In 1620, the Mayflower vessel left Southampton, in England! It left with 102 pilgrims aboard – and, as we all know, this venture would eventually lead to the formation of the United States of America.
India broke out on its own.
In 1947, India finally sealed its independence from Great Britain! However, it did remain a dominion until 1950. The relationship between India and the UK has remained fairly steady ever since, however, many remember controversies surrounding Winston Churchill and his policies that impacted upon the Bengal famine of the early 1940s.
The worst terrorist event of The Troubles took place.
In 1998, the Omagh Bombing in Northern Ireland took place. The event killed 29 people and injured around 200 more. The Troubles refers to the complex conflict between Northern Ireland, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, taking place over many years.
Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan.
In 2021, the then-President of Afghanistan, Ashram Thani, fled the country as the Taliban forces entered the capital of Kabul. They succeeded in taking control.
Special Days Falling on August 15th
August 15th also happens to be a very important religious, spiritual, and historic observation day. Read on to see what we mean!
Assumption of Mary
Every year, August 15th celebrates the Assumption of Mary. In other words, it is a Christian holiday commemorating the Virgin Mary's ascension into heaven. For Spain in particular, it is one of the most important celebrations of the year! Other Catholic, Hispanic countries around the world honor the day, too. The day is celebrated with church services, feats, parades, and more.
Indian Independence Day
For India, claiming its independence from the British was a long and arduous process. It took years and years of defiance, fighting, and standing up – even peacefully! So, it is only right that the country celebrates its great achievement every year, on this very date. The day is celebrated with parades, cultural events, and even flag-hoisting events all over the country!
Flooding of the Nile
August 15th is also a very important date in Egypt. It is the date the country celebrates the Flooding of the Nile! The celebrations start on August 15th and last for two whole weeks! This period is known as Wafaa-El-Nil. The holiday celebrates the importance of the River Nile in Egypt's culture and how it has helped the people prosper. So, take the time today to do some research on the Nile, and its cultural, historical, and economic importance to the nation!
This page was last modified on August 4, 2024. Suggest an edit
This month in history
New York gained their famous yellow taxi cabs! They started operating in August 1907, and remain a staple of the city to this day. Who doesn’t love a rainy ride in a New York taxi? If you’re riding in a yellow cab somewhere in the US, it’s highly likely you’re in downtown NYC.
Famous Birthdays on August 15th
Napoléon Bonaparte, French military leader and Emperor of the French, born 1769
Albert Ballin, German inventor, born 1857
Mike Usui, Japanese founder of Reiki, born 1865
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, African-British composer, born 1875
Edna Ferber, American author, born 1885
If you were born on August 15th…
…you’re a Leo! You are kind, confident, outlandish, compassionate, and very loyal. But, when someone does you wrong, you can be the meanest of mean! So, don’t bite our heads off when we say you should go check out our Leo facts page – you’ll find out more of the Leo-down on what makes you so unique.
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