Pope Eugenius IV grants the privileges of the University of Leuven in Belgium.
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On This Day in History: January 15
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on January 15th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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Charles the Bold of Burgundy marries Margaret of York, sister of Edward IV of England, solidifying an alliance.
The German cities of Würzburg and Bamberg surrender to the forces of Albert Alcibiades, Margrave of Brandenburg-Kulmbach.
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England in Westminster Abbey on January 15, 1559. Elizabeth was the daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn and succeeded to the throne on the death of her half-sister Mary I in1558.
Elizabeth's 45-year reign is generally considered one of the most glorious in English history. During it, a secure Church of England was established. Its doctrines were laid down in the 39 Articles of 1563, a compromise between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. More
James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the Old Pretender, declares himself King of England and Scotland.
Czar Peter the Great begins a military campaign in Persia, capturing the Persian capital of Isfahan.
The British East India Company captures the city of Madras in India from the French.
The British Museum opened for the first time to the public on January 15, 1759, at Montagu House in London's Bloomsbury district, becoming the world's first national public museum.
It was founded on the collections of Sir Hans Sloane and initially free for "studious and curious persons". The Montagu House was later demolished and started construction in the 1820's,of the iconic Greek Revival building that houses the museum today. The Elgin Marbles and the Rosetta Stone are among its world-renowned antiquities and archaeological holdings.
Vermont declares independence from the British crown and from the Colony of New York. They called the territory New Connecticut but when they met in June to write a constitution, they changed the name to Vermont, loosely based on the French term for “green mountain,” or “montagne verte.”
On January 15, 1777, settlers in the disputed New Hampshire Grants territory, led by figures like Ethan Allen, declared independence from both the British Crown and New York, forming the independent Republic of Vermont (New Connecticut), asserting self-governance amidst the American Revolution, establishing their own government, and functioning as a de facto republic until joining the U.S. in 1791when it was admitted into the Union on March 4 1791, becoming the 14th State of the Union. More
The French National Convention declares King Louis XVI guilty of treason, leading to his execution.
The first top hat is claimed to have been worn in public on January 15, 1797 by John Hetherington in London, England causing quite a commotion. The story although widely spread is believed to be of doubtful authenticity.
Simon Bolivar, the South American revolutionary, proclaims the Republic of Colombia.
Columbia Phonograph was founded on January 15, 1889 in Washington, D.C., later merging with Edison's company to form Columbia Records.
Sara Jane Moore is sentenced to life for attempting to assassinate President Gerald Ford on September 22 1975. She was released on Parole on December 31, 2007
Fred Korematsu was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. His journey to that day started during World War II when he refused to be forced into a Japanese-American relocation center where families lived in horse stalls at an abandoned race track until they were sent to remote internment camps in the West.
Korematsu went on to have a historical impact becoming an American civil rights activist and founder of the Korematsu Institute. On January 30, 2011, California celebrated its first of “Fred Korematsu Day of Civil Liberties and the Constitution”—the first day named after an Asian American in the United States. which celebrates the legacy of a courageous man who has left a message not just for one community, but for the entire country. More
US Airways flight 1549, makes an emergency landing in the Hudson River. shortly after taking off from LaGuardia Airport in New York City. the Airbus A320 airplane flew into a flock of Canada geese. Both engines were severely damaged, causing an almost complete loss of thrust.
Repeated attempts to restart the engines were unsuccessful. Five people were seriously injured, but there were no fatalities. On board were 5 crew members, including Capt. Chesley (“Sully”) Sullenberger III, First Officer Jeffrey Skiles, and 150 passengers. The event has been nicknamed "Miracle on the Hudson." More
British Parliament rejects Theresa May's Brexit deal, leading to political uncertainty regarding the UK's departure from the EU.
Uganda holds presidential elections, resulting in a controversial win for incumbent President Yoweri Museveni.