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?
Discover 21 historical moments on January 15 — 9 events, 6 birthdays, and 6 notable deaths spanning centuries of human history.
politicsentertainmentsportslawmusicdisasterwartechnology
Hero image inspired by: Elizabeth I
Historical Events on January 15(9)
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
1929⚡ Event
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
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
Famous Birthdays on January 15(6)
1622🎂 Birth
Molière born
French playwright and actor Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, is born in Paris.
artsliterature
2004🎂 Birth
Grace VanderWaal
Grace VanderWaal, American singer-songwriter, was born.
musicentertainment
Notable Deaths on January 15(6)
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
David Lynch
David Lynch, American television and film director, visual artist and musician, died from complications from emphysema.
entertainmentarts
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 21 recorded historical entries in our collection, including 9 notable events, 6 famous birthdays, and 6 deaths. This date has witnessed momentous occasions spanning from 1559 to the present day.
Major Events on January 15
Among the most notable events on January 15: Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England (1559), Great Molasses Flood strikes Boston (1919), Martin Luther King Jr. born (1929). View all events →
Famous Birthdays on January 15
Notable figures born on January 15 include Molière, Alexandra Eade, Ben Godfrey. View all birthdays →
Notable 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?
- January 15 is home to 21 recorded historical entries, including 9 notable events, 6 famous birthdays, and 6 notable deaths.
- What is the most notable event on January 15?
- One of the most notable events on January 15 is: Elizabeth I is crowned queen of England.
- Who was born on January 15?
- Famous figures born on January 15 include Molière, Alexandra Eade, Ben Godfrey.
- How many historical events happened on January 15?
- Our collection records 9 historical events on January 15, spanning centuries of world history.
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