20 fun facts for October, 15
Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
Summary
October 15 has been a day of significant events in history, from the birth of Queen Victoria's daughter Louise to the opening of the University of Chicago and the execution of Mata Hari. The day also marks notable landmarks in transportation, with the patenting of both the helicopter and the hovercraft, as well as the observance of various awareness days, including Global Handwashing Day and Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day.
20 Fun facts
- The Duchess of York gave birth to a daughter on October 15, 1858. Princess Louise, who later became the Duchess of Argyll, was the sixth child and fourth daughter of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.
- On October 15, 1863, the first successful submarine attack occurred in the American Civil War. The Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley sank the Union ship Housatonic using a spar torpedo, signaling a new era in naval warfare.
- Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh wrote a letter to his brother Theo on October 15, 1888, mentioning one of his most famous paintings, "The Bedroom." The painting is a representation of his sleeping quarters in Arles, France.
- On October 15, 1892, the University of Chicago held its first classes. Founded by John D. Rockefeller, it has become a highly respected institution and has produced numerous Nobel laureates and other prominent academics.
- French inventor Jean Catoire patented the helicopter on October 15, 1904. Catoire's design never left the ground, but his work was a significant step in the development of vertical flight technology.
- On October 15, 1917, Dutch exotic dancer and convicted spy Mata Hari was executed by firing squad in France. She was accused of spying for Germany during World War I, although her guilt is still debated by historians.
- Belgian cyclone kills 450 people on October 15, 1920. The cyclone caused significant flooding and damage throughout the country, making it one of the deadliest storms in Belgian history.
- The first issue of The New Yorker magazine was published on October 15, 1925. Founded by Harold Ross and his wife Jane Grant, the magazine is known for its influential commentary on popular culture and current affairs.
- On October 15, 1932, Tata Air Mail, the first airline in India, began operations. It later became Air India, the country's national airline, and played a critical role in the development of India's aviation industry.
- The first canned beer was sold in the United States on October 15, 1934. The Gottfried Krueger Brewery introduced Krueger's Finest Beer and Krueger's Cream Ale in cans produced by the American Can Company.
- On October 15, 1946, Nazi war criminal Hermann Göring committed suicide while awaiting execution. Göring was convicted during the Nuremberg trials and was scheduled to be hung, but he took his own life with a cyanide capsule.
- English inventor Christopher Cockerell filed a patent for the hovercraft on October 15, 1954. His invention revolutionized aquatic transportation and provided a new mode of transport capable of operating on land and water.
- National Latin American Day is celebrated by various countries in the Americas on October 15. The day honors the rich cultural and historical heritage of those who trace their ancestry to Latin America.
- The I Love Lucy television show premiered in the United States on October 15, 1951. The sitcom, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, became a significant hit and is considered an iconic piece of American television history.
- The United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was created on October 15, 1953. The department, later reorganized into the Department of Health and Human Services, oversees federal programs related to health and social welfare.
- On October 15, 1965, the largest-ever anti-war demonstrations in United States history took place. Protesters gathered in numerous cities across the nation to speak out against the Vietnam War.
- The Great Wall of China was opened to tourists on October 15, 1972. The ancient structure is a must-visit attraction and a symbol of China's rich cultural heritage.
- Global Handwashing Day is celebrated annually on October 15 to promote the importance of handwashing with soap in preventing diseases. The day is observed in over 100 countries and aims to raise awareness about the benefits of proper hand hygiene.
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is annually observed on October 15 in the United States, Canada, and other countries. The day aims to raise awareness of the grief and trauma that affect the families who have lost a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant death.
- On October 15, 2003, China successfully launched its first manned space mission. Astronaut Yang Liwei became the first Chinese citizen to travel to space aboard the Shenzhou 5 spacecraft.