Osun Defender History Corner: February 15 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.
February 15, 1493
While on his return journey from the New World, Christopher Columbus spots three manatees near the Dominican Republic, which he mistakes for mermaids.
February 15, 1564
Galileo Galilei, Italian astronomer, mathematician, and physicist, is born in Pisa, Italy.
February 15, 1764
The city of St. Louis, Missouri is established by French fur traders.
February 15, 1798
The USS Constellation captures the French frigate L’Insurgente in a single-ship action during the Quasi-War.
February 15, 1835
The first constitutional law of modern Greece is adopted.
February 15, 1879
Women’s rights advocate and suffragist Susan B. Anthony and her supporters are arrested for voting in Rochester, New York, in violation of U.S. law at the time.
February 15, 1898
The USS Maine explodes and sinks in Havana harbor in Cuba, leading to the Spanish-American War.
February 15, 1923
Greece becomes the last European country to adopt the Gregorian calendar.
February 15, 1933
President-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt survives an assassination attempt in Miami, Florida.
February 15, 1942
The Fall of Singapore: British forces surrender Singapore to Japanese forces during World War II.
February 15, 1952
King George VI of the United Kingdom is laid to rest in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
February 15, 1971
The decimalization of British currency is completed, with the pound sterling divided into 100 new pence.
February 15, 1989
The Soviet Union announces that the last of its troops have left Afghanistan, ending a nine-year military intervention.
February 15, 2001
The first draft of the complete human genome is published in the journal Nature.
February 15, 2003
Protests against the impending invasion of Iraq by the United States and its allies take place in cities around the world, with millions participating in what becomes the largest protest in history.
February 15, 2005
YouTube is launched by a group of former PayPal employees, revolutionizing the way people share and watch videos online.
February 15, 2011
The Arab Spring: Thousands of protesters in Bahrain occupy Pearl Roundabout in the capital city of Manama, demanding political reforms and greater rights.
February 15, 2013
A meteor explodes over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk, injuring over 1,000 people and causing widespread damage.
February 15, 2018
A school shooting occurs at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, resulting in 17 deaths and numerous injuries.
February 15, 2020
The Boy Scouts of America files for bankruptcy protection amid a flood of lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Scout leaders.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on February 15. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
