January 15
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Arbor Day (Egypt)
Arbor Day in Egypt encourages communities to plant trees and promote environmental conservation across the nation.
Armed Forces Remembrance Day (Nigeria)
Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Nigeria honors the service and sacrifice of military personnel who laid down their lives for the nation.
Army Day(India)
Army Day in India celebrates the valor and dedication of Indian Army personnel since its establishment.
Christianfeast day:
Abeluzius(Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church), Arnold Janssen, Francis Ferdinand de Capillas(one ofMartyr Saints of China), Ita, Our Lady of the Poor, Macarius of Egypt(Western Christianity), MaurusandPlacidus(Order of Saint Benedict), Paul the Hermit, January 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
On January 15, various Christian traditions honor a range of saints, including Paul the Hermit, Ita, and Our Lady of the Poor.
John Chilembwe Day(Malawi)
John Chilembwe Day commemorates the life and legacy of Malawian independence leader John Chilembwe.
Korean Alphabet Day(North Korea)
Korean Alphabet Day in North Korea celebrates the creation of Hangul by King Sejong the Great.
Ocean Duty Day(Indonesia)
Ocean Duty Day in Indonesia recognizes the vital role of maritime forces and the protection of national waters.
Teacher's Day (Venezuela)
Teacher's Day in Venezuela celebrates the dedication and contributions of educators nationwide.
Abeluzius(Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church)
Saint Abeluzius feast day is celebrated in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church on January 15.
Events
Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaiming himself Emperor of Rome, beginning a reign of only three months.
In AD 69, Roman general Otho seized power and proclaimed himself Emperor of Rome, marking the second ruler in the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors. His reign lasted only three months before his downfall.
King Francis I of France gives Jean-François Roberval a commission to settle the province of New France (Canada) and provide for the spread of the "Holy Catholic faith".
In 1541, King Francis I of France granted Jean-François Roberval authority to establish a French colony in New France and promote the Catholic faith across the region.
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England and Ireland in Westminster Abbey, London.
In 1559, Elizabeth I was crowned Queen of England and Ireland at Westminster Abbey, beginning the Elizabethan era.
Truce of Yam-Zapolsky: Russia cedes Livonia to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
In 1582, the Truce of Yam-Zapolsky ended the Livonian War, with Russia ceding Livonia to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
The British Museum opens to the public.
On January 15, 1759, the British Museum in London opened its doors as the world's first national public museum.
American Revolutionary War: New Connecticut (present-day Vermont) declares its independence.
In 1777, settlers of New Connecticut declared independence, founding the Republic of Vermont during the American Revolutionary War.
Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris addresses the U.S. Congress to recommend establishment of a national mint and decimal coinage.
In 1782, Robert Morris urged the U.S. Congress to establish a national mint and adopt a decimal coinage system to standardize American currency.
War of 1812: American frigate USS President, commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur, is captured by a squadron of four British frigates.
In 1815, during the closing days of the War of 1812, the American frigate USS President was captured by a British squadron under Commodore Stephen Decatur.
A paper by David Brewster is read to the Royal Society, belatedly announcing his discovery of what we now call the biaxial class of doubly-refracting crystals. On the same day, Augustin-Jean Fresnel signs a "supplement" (submitted four days later) on reflection of polarized light.
In 1818, David Brewster and Augustin-Jean Fresnel presented groundbreaking research on polarized light and doubly-refracting crystals to the Royal Society.
Births
King of Portugal from 1438 to 1481, nicknamed "the African" for his military campaigns in North Africa.
Edzard I
Count of East Frisia who consolidated power in the Frisian territories during the early 16th century.
Ashikaga Yoshizumi
The 11th shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who led Japan during the Muromachi period.
Maeda Toshiie
A leading samurai general of the Sengoku period and founder of the powerful Kaga Domain.
Henry Carey
English earl and politician who served in the English Parliament during the tumultuous 17th century.
Molière
Iconic 17th-century French playwright and actor, celebrated for his satirical comedies.
Algernon Sidney
English nobleman and political theorist known for his advocacy of republicanism.
Abraham de la Pryme
English antiquarian and diarist noted for his detailed studies of Yorkshire history.
Philip Livingston
Wealthy colonial merchant and New York delegate to the Continental Congress.
Deaths
Galba
Galba was a Roman emperor who ruled briefly during the tumultuous Year of the Four Emperors.
Chak Tok Ich'aak I
Chak Tok Ich'aak I was a Mayan ruler of the city-state Tikal, known from hieroglyphic inscriptions.
Íte of Killeedy
Íte of Killeedy was an Irish nun and saint who founded a monastery in County Limerick and became known as the 'Brigid of Munster'.
Theophylact
Theophylact was a Byzantine emperor who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire until his death in 849.
Rudolph of France, also known as Raoul, was King of West Francia from 923 until his death in 936.
Wang Jingchong
Wang Jingchong was a Chinese general and military governor during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period.
Berengaria of Barcelona
Berengaria of Barcelona was queen consort of Castile as the wife of King Alfonso VII.
Adriana of Nassau-Siegen
Adriana of Nassau-Siegen was a German countess from the House of Nassau-Siegen.
Nicolaus Olahus
Nicolaus Olahus was a Romanian archbishop and humanist scholar of the 16th century.