What Happened on November 15
Important Events
- 1492 Christopher Columbus notes 1st recorded reference to tobacco
- 1884 European Colonization and trade in Africa is officially regulated at the international Berlin Conference, formalizing European powers "Scramble for Africa"
- 1904 King C. Gillette patents the Gillette razor blade
- 1948 Mackenzie King retires after 22 years as Prime Minister of Canada
- 1969 An estimated 2 million people take part in the Vietnam War Moratorium Demonstration across the United States
Nov 15 in Film & TV
- 1926 1st formal radio network, RCA takes over AT&T 25 station Network (NBC)
Nov 15 in Music
- 1986 Beastie Boys release their debut album "Licensed to Ill" - 1st No. 1 rap album on Billboard charts
Nov 15 in Sport
- 1964 Mickey Wright shoots a 62, lowest golf score for a woman pro at the Tall City Open, Midland, Texas
- 2020 British Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton clinches 4th straight and record equalling 7th F1 World Drivers C'ship by winning Turkish GP at Intercity Istanbul Park, Tuzla
Did You Know?
Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Salvator Mundi" sells for $450.3 million at auction in New York, world record price for any artwork
On November 15, 2017
William Pitt the Elder
William Herschel
Gerhart Hauptmann
August Krogh
Georgia O’Keeffe
Erwin RommelWould You Believe?
In Parliament Sir Anthony Blunt, art advisor to the Queen, exposed as 4th man in Soviet spy ring. He was then stripped of his knighthood and fellowship of Trinity College, Cambridge
On November 15, 1979
Famous Weddings
- 1986 Golfer Byron Nelson (74) weds advertising copy writer Peggy Simmons (42)
- 1997 TV host and actor William Shatner (66) weds former Ford model Nerine Kidd (38) in Pasadena, California
- 2005 Emperor Akihito's only daughter Princess Sayako (36) gives up her imperial title to wed Yoshiki Kuroda (40) at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, Japan
Famous Divorces
- 2010 "Single White Female" actress Jennifer Jason Leigh (48) divorces writer Noah Baumbach (41) due to irreconcilable differences after 5 years of marriage
Justinian I
Johannes Kepler
John Witherspoon
Lionel Barrymore
Margaret MeadArticles, Photos and Quiz
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, the first constitution of the United States of America
November 15, 1777The 1918 Flu Pandemic
A village in Alaska was almost wiped out on this day as the 1918 flu pandemic took its toll. Are there lessons for the world combatting the Coronavirus in 2020?
November 15, 1918Vietnam War Moratorium Demonstration
Millions marched against the Vietnam War outside the White House
November 15, 1969Weekly Quiz for November 11 - 17
The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month marked the end of which war? Whose body was found in Antarctica in 1912? Which canal opened in 1869?
November in History
Bulls Finally Spared 700 Years of Cruelty
The dangerous and despicably cruel “sport” of bull-running came to an end on this day in an English market town. It had been going on for 700 years.
November 13, 1839Nell Gwyn, the Temptress Who Enchanted a King
Nell Gwyn, who was brought up in a bawdy-house in London, caught the eye of King Charles II and became one of England’s most famous royal mistresses.
November 14, 1687All Eyes on Birthplace of British Rock 'n' Roll
Tommy Steele, Britain's first rock 'n' roll star, was discovered on this day at a coffee bar in central London, appearing live on the BBC's first pop music show.
November 16, 1957Bloody Mary, England’s Most Hated Queen
Queen Mary I, the first woman to rule England in her own right, lost respect and was called Bloody Mary by burning hundreds of religious opponents at the stake.
November 17, 1558
