February 15
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
BlessedMichał Sopoćko, Claude de la Colombière, Faustinus and Jovita, Oswiu, Quinidius, Sigfrid of Sweden, Thomas Bray(Episcopal Church), Walfrid, 21 Coptic Martyrs of Libya, February 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A Christian feast day honoring a diverse group of saints and martyrs observed in various church traditions.
International Duties Memorial Day(Russia, regional)
A regional observance in Russia honoring military personnel who served in international missions.
John Frum Day(Vanuatu)
A cultural and religious festival on Tanna Island in Vanuatu celebrating the John Frum cargo cult.
Liberation Day (Afghanistan)
Afghanistan’s national holiday marking the final withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989.
National Flag of Canada Day(Canada)
A national celebration in Canada marking the adoption of the Maple Leaf flag in 1965.
Parinirvana Day, also celebrated on February 8. (Mahayana Buddhism)
A Mahayana Buddhist observance commemorating the Buddha’s passing into Parinirvana.
Singles Awareness Day
A lighthearted day celebrating singlehood and self-love following Valentine’s Day.
Annoy Squidward Day
An unofficial, humorous fan holiday inspired by SpongeBob SquarePants encouraging playful pranks on Squidward.
Statehood Day (Serbia)
Serbia’s Statehood Day commemorating the 1804 First Serbian Uprising and the 1835 Constitution.
Events
Roman emperor Theodosius II publishes the law codex Codex Theodosianus
Emperor Theodosius II publishes the Codex Theodosianus, a pivotal compendium of Roman law.
Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia.
Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia, marking a new era for the Sasanian Empire.
Byzantine emperor Justinian II has his predecessors Leontios and Tiberios III publicly executed in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Byzantine Emperor Justinian II orders the public execution of his predecessors Leontios and Tiberios III in Constantinople’s Hippodrome.
At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy.
Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy at Pavia, challenging imperial authority.
Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers.
Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, formally recognizing the Order of Hospitallers.
During the Anglo-French War (1213–1214), an English invasion force led by John, King of England, lands at La Rochelle in France.
An English force under King John lands at La Rochelle during the Anglo-French War of 1213–1214.
While on board the Niña, Christopher Columbus writes an open letter (widely distributed upon his return to Portugal) describing his discoveries and the unexpected items he came across in the New World.
While aboard the Niña, Christopher Columbus writes an open letter describing his New World discoveries.
Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor.
Ferdinand III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor, succeeding Ferdinand II.
Constantin Cantemir, Prince of Moldavia, and the Holy Roman Empire sign a secret treaty in Sibiu, stipulating that Moldavia would support the actions led by the House of Habsburg against the Ottoman Empire.
Moldavian Prince Constantin Cantemir and the Holy Roman Empire sign a secret treaty supporting Habsburg actions against the Ottoman Empire.
Births
King of Naples from 1386 to 1414 whose reign was marked by dynastic struggles and papal conflicts.
Ivan the Young
Eldest son of Ivan III of Russia who served as heir apparent but predeceased his father.
Piero the Unfortunate
Member of the powerful Medici family who briefly ruled Florence and gained the moniker 'the Unfortunate'.
Juliana of Stolberg
German countess and matriarch of the House of Orange, mother to William the Silent and other notable leaders.
Pedro Menéndez de Avilés
Spanish admiral and first Governor of Florida who founded St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S.
Alfonso Fontanelli
Italian composer and diplomat of the late Renaissance known for his madrigals and service to the Este court.
Galileo Galilei
Pioneering Italian astronomer, physicist, and mathematician, often called the father of modern science.
Paul de Chomedey
French officer who founded Montreal and served as its governor in the early days of New France.
Charles Morton
English nonconformist minister and educator who influenced early colonial and Puritan scholarship.
Deaths
Oswiu
Anglo-Saxon king of Northumbria who unified Bernicia and Deira, secured his kingdom in battle, and shaped the English Church.
Leontios
Byzantine emperor who seized the throne through rebellion and defended Constantinople against Arab sieges.
Tiberios III
Byzantine emperor and naval commander remembered for his role in defending the empire against Arab invasions.
Ibn Tabataba
Zaydi anti-caliph who led early Shi'a revolts against the Abbasid caliphate in the 9th century.
Su Yugui
Chancellor and statesman of the Five Dynasties period in China known for his integrity and administrative skill.
Gisela of Swabia
Holy Roman Empress and queen consort admired for her political acumen and patronage of the Church.
Lucius II
Pope who led troops in battle to defend papal authority and died from injuries sustained in conflict with Rome's citizens.
Conrad III
King of Germany and leader of the Hohenstaufen dynasty who initiated the Second Crusade.
William de Ufford
English nobleman and soldier who served as the 2nd Earl of Suffolk during the Hundred Years' War.