1559⚡ Event
Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England
Elizabeth I is crowned at Westminster Abbey, beginning one of the most influential reigns in English history.
politicsroyalty
What Happened on January 15?
Browse 20 historical entries recorded for January 15 — 8 events, 7 births, and 5 deaths.
politicsentertainmentsportslawmusicdisasterwartechnology
Image retrieved via Wikipedia: Elizabeth I
Historical Events on January 15(8)
1919⚡ Event
Great Molasses Flood strikes Boston
A massive storage tank bursts in Boston's North End, sending a deadly wave of molasses through city streets.
disasterurban-history
1975⚡ Event
Alvor Agreement Signed
Portugal and nationalist factions UNITA, MPLA, and FNLA signed the Alvor Agreement, ending the Angolan War of Independence.
politicswarlaw
1981⚡ Event
Hill Street Blues Pilot Episode Airs
The American serial police-procedural television show Hill Street Blues aired its pilot episode, "Hill Street Station".
entertainment
1991⚡ Event
Victoria Cross for Australia Instituted
The Victoria Cross for Australia was instituted, making Australia the first Commonwealth realm with a separate Victoria Cross award.
lawpolitics
2001⚡ Event
Wikipedia launched
Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger launch Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit.
technology
2001⚡ Event
First Wikipedia Edit
The first edit to the internet encyclopedia Wikipedia was made.
technology
2009⚡ Event
US Airways Flight 1549 lands on Hudson River
A miracle on the Hudson occurred when a commercial airliner made an emergency landing on the Hudson River after striking a flock of geese.
disaster
Birthdays on January 15(7)
1622🎂 Birth
Molière born
French playwright and actor Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, is born in Paris.
artsliterature
1929🎂 Birth
Martin Luther King Jr. born
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. is born in Atlanta, Georgia. He would become the most prominent leader of the civil rights movement.
politicslaw
1998🎂 Birth
Alexandra Eade
Alexandra Eade, Australian artistic gymnast, was born.
sports
2004🎂 Birth
Grace VanderWaal
Grace VanderWaal, American singer-songwriter, was born.
musicentertainment
Deaths on January 15(5)
1919🕊️ Death
Rosa Luxemburg dies
German revolutionary socialist Rosa Luxemburg is killed in Berlin during the Spartacist uprising.
politicswarmilitary
2022🕊️ Death
Alexa McDonough
Alexa McDonough, a pioneering Canadian politician and former leader of the federal New Democratic Party, has died. She was born in 1944.
politics
2025🕊️ Death
Paul Danan
Paul Danan, English actor and television personality, died.
entertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Melba Montgomery
Melba Montgomery, American country music singer-songwriter, died.
musicentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Linda Nolan
Linda Nolan, Irish singer and actress, has died. She was born in 1959.
entertainmentmusic
January 15 in History
January 15 is home to 20 recorded historical entries in our collection: 8 events, 7 births, and 5 deaths. These counts describe the current collection, not every historical occurrence associated with this date.
Events on January 15
Examples currently recorded for January 15 include Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England (1559), Great Molasses Flood strikes Boston (1919), Alvor Agreement Signed (1975). View all events →
Birthdays on January 15
People recorded as born on January 15 include Molière, Martin Luther King Jr., Alexandra Eade. View all birthdays →
Deaths on January 15
Remembered figures who died on January 15 include Rosa Luxemburg, Alexa McDonough, Paul Danan. View all →
Browse what happened on January 14 or January 16, explore the full month of January, or discover a random historical fact.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 15?
- The DayFacts collection currently has 20 entries for January 15: 8 events, 7 births, and 5 deaths.
- Which historical event is included for January 15?
- One event currently recorded for January 15 is: Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England.
- Who was born on January 15?
- People recorded as born on January 15 include Molière, Martin Luther King Jr., Alexandra Eade.
- How many historical events are recorded for January 15?
- The current DayFacts collection records 8 historical events for January 15.
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