May 15 in History

Historical Events on May 15

1776 American Revolution: The Fifth Virginia Convention instructs its Continental Congress delegation to propose a resolution of independence from Great Britain, paving the way for the United States Declaration of Independence.

1862 President Abraham Lincoln signs a bill into law creating the United States Bureau of Agriculture. It is later renamed the United States Department of Agriculture.

1869 Women's suffrage: In New York, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton form the National Woman Suffrage Association.

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

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

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.

1958 The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 3.

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

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

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Famous Birthdays on May 15

1773 Klemens von Metternich

1948 Brian Eno

1981 Patrice Evra

1987 Andy Murray

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Famous Deaths on May 15

1886 Emily Dickinson

1956 Austin Osman Spare

1978 Robert Menzies

2007 Jerry Falwell

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