All Events

Historical Events on May 15

  • Fifth Virginia Convention

    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.

  • Abraham Lincoln

    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.

  • Susan B. Anthony

    1869

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

  • Nazi Germany

    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.

  • Joseph Stalin

    1943

    Joseph Stalin dissolves the Comintern (or Third International).

  • 1948 Arab-Israeli War

    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.

  • Sputnik 3

    1958

    The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 3.

  • Anna Mae Hays

    1970

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

  • Soviet war in Afghanistan

    1988

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

All Births

Famous Birthdays on May 15

All Deaths

Famous Deaths on May 15

14. May

16. May