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.