This Day in History – April 15

Every day in history is a puzzle, an enigma that historians all over the world are continuously unravelling! Let’s find out what happened on this day in history on April 15 and explore the events that affect our everyday lives even today!

What Happened in India on April 15?

1658: Battle of Dharmatpur
Raja Jaswant Singh of Marwar, a Rajput King was defeated by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the Battle of Dharmatpur on April 15 1658.

1895: Ganeshotsav and Shivaji Utsav Created by Bal Gangadhar Tilak 
Bal Gangadhar Tilak started two national festivals to bring Indians from all caste and creed together and inspire them to fight for their homeland. Both festivals gained national importance.

1948: Himachal Pradesh was created
On April 15, 1948, the province of Himachal Pradesh was created for the first time and later, included as part of the C- state of post-independent India.

1994: India signed the Marrakesh agreement
India along with 123 nations signed the WTO agreement in Marrakesh which led to the formation of the World Trade Organisation, the successor of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.

What Happened Around the World on April 15?

1250: Pope Innocent III refuses Jews 
The Pope Innocent III of Cordova, Spain refused the Jews’ request to build a synagogue for worshipping on April 15, 1250.

1450: Battle of Formigny in 100 Years’ War
The French defeated the British in the last phase of the 100 Years’ War in the historic Battle of Formigny on this glorious day in history.

1632: Battle of Rain
The Battle of Rain was fought between the Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden and Count Tilly of the Holy Roman Empire. It was the second battle between the two and part of the Thirty Years of War. Count Tilly was defeated and fatally injured during the 1632 Battle of Rain.

1654: Treaty of Westminister
England & Netherlands signed the peace treaty on April 15, 1654 to mark the end of the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652 to 1954).

1755: A Dictionary of the English Language
Samuel Johnson’s famous “A Dictionary of the English Language” published in London for the first time on April 15th, 1755.

1817: American School for the Deaf
The first American school for the deaf opened in Hartford, Connecticut, USA. The school imparted primary and secondary education to children with disabilities and received a federal grant for its operations.

1892 General Electric Company was founded
The General Electric Company was founded when Thomas Edison’s General Electric Company with Thomson-Houston Electric Company were merged together and the merger was arranged by JP Morgan.

1912: Titanic Sank 
RMS Titanic, the British luxury ship, sank in the early hours on April 15th, 1912. It is one of the most famous tragedies and resulted in the loss of between 1,490 and 1,635 people.

1955: First McDonalds in Illinois
Ray Kroc opened his first McDonalds, fast food restaurant, in Des Plaines, Illinois.

1969: North Korea shot down US plane
On April 15, 1969, North Korea fighters shot down a US Navy aircraft at the Japanese sea and killed 31 American sailors. The famous incident led the USA to increase its military presence at the Japanese Sea.

1970: Green Revolution in Libya
Libyan leader Gadaffi launched Green Revolution in 1970 in Libya to improve agriculture and food crops cultivation.

1983: Tokyo Disneyland Opens
The Tokyo Disney Land was inaugurated for the first time on this day in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. It was the first Disneyland outside of USA.

1980: Jean- Paul Sartre died
On 15th April 1980, the french philosopher and the leader of the existential school of thought passed away in Paris, France.

2012: Insurgents Attack on Bannu Jail
On 15th April 2012, 400 Islamist prisoners including militants escaped from a Pakistan prison after an insurgent attack. 

2019: Notre Dame Burned
Paris cathedral Notre Dame caught fire on the evening of April 15, 2019. The fire destroyed and toppling its spire, upper walls and destroyed its roof.

2012: World Art Day
World Art Day is celebrated across the world on this day as a tribute and celebration of the work and contribution of the famous artist Leonardo Da Vinci. It promotes awareness and appreciation of art and different art forms.

2020: South Korea holds national elections under COVID-19
South Korea become the first democratic country to national elections under the threat and restrictions of the corona pandemic. The elections were successful and Democratic Party led by President Moon Jae won with landslide votes. 

Important Birthdays

• Leonardo Da Vinci
  On April 15th, 1452, the famous Renaissance Man, Leonardo Da Vinci was born. The famous artist, sculptor, architect, engineer, the scientist is incredibly famous for his artwork and masterpieces like The Last Supper, Mona Lisa, Vitruvian Man and more.
• Nikita Khruschev
  The famous Russian politician and Premier of the Soviet Union was born on April 15th, 1894. The world leader was famous for introducing reforms like Perestroika and Glasnost which transformed the Russian economy and society. 
• Emma Thompson
  The famous British actor, screenwriter, author and activist was born on April 15th in 1959. She acted in world-renowned movies like Sense and Sensibility, Love Actually, and Harry Potter.
• Emma Watson
  The British actress and activist was born on this day in 1990 in Paris, France. She began her career as the famous Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series and has played iconic roles in movies like Beauty and the Beast, Little Women and Perks of Being a Wallflower.

This was all about the fascinating day of April 15. Tell us in the comment section below which event fascinated you the most and stay tuned with Leverage Edu! For more such educational content follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, and Quora.