Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on December 15th?

Gaius Gracchus, a Roman politician and reformer, is born. He would later become known for his attempts to enact land and citizenship reforms.

The birth of the Roman poet and philosopher, Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca).

Emperor Otto I of the Holy Roman Empire dies, and he is succeeded by his son Otto II.

The United States Congress relocates to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from New York City.

A single-engine aircraft Noorduyn C-64 “Norseman” airplane carrying trombonist and Band leader Glenn Miller disappears over the English Channel. The Army Air Force Major was an unauthorized passenger aboard the flight and he was preparing to move his Army Air Forces Band (Special) from England to France for a congratulatory performance for American troops that had recently helped to liberate Paris. More

Richard Pavlick attempts to assassinate then-U.S. President-elect John F. Kennedy in Florida.

Canada adopts the new national flag, the Maple Leaf, replacing the Red Ensign.

The American Psychiatric Association reverses its longstanding position and declares that homosexuality isn't a mental illness. More

Following months of secret negotiations, the United States and the People’s Republic of China (PRC) announced that they would recognize one another and establish official diplomatic relations. As part of the agreement, the United States recognized the Government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China, and declared it would withdraw diplomatic recognition from Taiwan (also known as the Republic of China [ROC]). More