What Happened on May 15
Significant Events
- 1252 Pope Innocent IV issues the papal bull ad exstirpanda, which authorizes, but also limits, the torture of heretics in the Medieval Inquisition
- 1618 Johannes Kepler discovers harmonics law
- 1869 National Woman Suffrage Association forms in New York, founded by Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
- 1940 McDonald's opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California
- 1951 AT&T becomes the 1st US corporation to have a million stockholders after young car salesman Brady Denton purchases 7 shares worth $1,078
- 1988 USSR begins withdrawing its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan
Famous Birthdays
George Brett
65 Years Old
Emmitt Smith
49 Years Old
Ray Lewis
43 Years Old
David Krumholtz
40 Years Old
Zara Phillips
37 Years Old
Andy Murray
31 Years Old
Famous Weddings
- 1567 Mary, Queen of Scots marries James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell
- 1825 Author Wilhelm Grimm (39) weds Henriette Dorothea
- 1948 Dancer and actress Cyd Charisse (26) weds singer Tony Martin (34)
- 1965 Director Martin Scorsese (22) weds Laraine Brennan in New York
- 1993 Actress Jane Seymour weds actor James Kesch
Emily Dickinson
Joe Malone
Robert Menzies
June Carter CashMay in History
Nelson's Dying Wish: Save Emma
The blacksmith’s daughter who enchanted aristocrats, became an artist’s muse and finally the mistress of England’s naval hero, Admiral Lord Nelson.
May 12, 1765
How Australia Was Born
Captain Arthur Phillip commanded a fleet of British ships carrying convicts to New South Wales on this day, effectively founding the British colony of Australia.
May 13, 1787
Pope 'Turned Vatican Into Whorehouse'
Pope John XII who died – some say he was murdered – on this day lived a life of sin, corruption and murder. But is his reputation as the worst pope deserved?
May 14, 964 AD
Taxman Delivers Cruel Blow to Miss Whiplash
If I agreed to your demand for cash payment it means that you would be living off immoral earnings, celebrated Madam tells the tax authority.
May 15, 1990