On This Day in History: December 15

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).

Roman Emperor Nero is born on December 15, 37 AD, in Antium, Italy; eventually becoming known for his tyrannical rule and the Great Fire of Rome. He died in Rome, Italy on June 9, 68 AD.

The Byzantine Emperor Basil II dies on December 15, 1025, at the peak of the Byzantine power, marking the end of the Macedonian Dynasty and the beginning of a long decline.  Expand +

The compilation of the Domesday Book, a survey of England initiated by William the Conqueror, begins.

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

A fire breaks out at 3 a.m. in the US the Patent Office then located at Blodget's Hotel in Washington DC. The fire department was unable to contain the fire. All 9,957 patents issued starting in July 31 1790 and related patent models were lost. Ironically, the fire made it difficult to definitively determine the exact inventor of the fire hydrant and the precise date of the invention. Fewer than 3,000 of those patents have been recovered and re-issued with numbers that include an "X". The X distinguishes the patents from those issued after the fire, which began again with patent number 1.Before the Patent Act of 1836, patents were issued without numbers, only by name and date. These earlier patents became known as "X-patents".

The first US patent granted with the new numbering system was Patent No. 1, awarded to Senator John Ruggles on July 13, 1836. It was for a traction wheel for steam locomotives.


Before the Patent Act of 1836, patents were issued without numbers, only by name and date.




These earlier patents became known as "X-patents".
1790 - The first U.S. patent was granted to Samuel Hopkins for a process of making potash, an ingredient used in fertilizer on July 31. President George Washington signed the first patent.

1. Patent 1 was issued to

Ironically, the fire made it difficult to definitively determine the exact inventor of the fire hydrant and the precise date of the invention.

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