Important Historical Events on 15 February
1564 – Birth of Galileo Galilei
The legendary Italian astronomer and physicist Galileo Galilei was born. He is considered the father of modern science for his contributions to astronomy, physics, and scientific observation.
1898 – USS Maine Explosion
The American battleship USS Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, killing over 260 sailors. This incident became a major reason for the Spanish–American War.
1942 – Fall of Singapore
British forces surrendered Singapore to Japan during World War II. It was one of the biggest military defeats in British history.
1964 – The Beatles Perform on The Ed Sullivan Show
The Beatles made their first appearance on American television, marking the beginning of Beatlemania in the United States.
1972 – India’s Warship INS Khukri Sank
Indian naval ship INS Khukri was sunk during the Indo-Pak war, killing 194 Indian sailors.
2003 – Anti-War Protests Worldwide
Millions of people across the world protested against the Iraq War, making it one of the largest global protest movements in history.
International Observances on 15 February
Serbia National Day
Serbia celebrates its National Day to mark the beginning of the Serbian Revolution and the country’s first modern constitution.
International Angelman Day
A day to spread awareness about Angelman Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder.
Did You Know?
-
Galileo was once placed under house arrest for supporting the idea that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
-
The Beatles' 1964 TV performance was watched by more than 73 million people in the USA.
-
The USS Maine tragedy led to the famous slogan: "Remember the Maine!"