August 15: What Happened on This Day in History
August 15th marks the 227th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 228th in case of leap years). There are 138 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on August 15th in history, famous birthdays on August 15th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to August 15.
What happened on August 15?
Here's what happened on August 15th in history:
- 2013: Following the Egyptian military's ousting of President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013, violent clashes erupted between security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood. The international community, including the United States and European Union, expressed concern over the escalating violence and called for restraint from all parties involved. source: aljazeera.com
- 2008: On August 15, 2008, American swimmer Michael Phelps set a new Olympic record by winning his eighth gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. This achievement surpassed the previous record for the most gold medals won in a single Olympiad, solidifying his status as one of the greatest swimmers in history. source: olympic.org
- 2006: On August 15, 2006, the UK government announced plans to pardon soldiers executed for cowardice during World War I, acknowledging the injustices faced by these individuals. source: aljazeera.com
- 1990: In August 1990, following its invasion of Kuwait, Iraq detained hundreds of foreign nationals, primarily Americans and citizens of other countries, holding them in Kuwait and Iraq for several months. These hostages were used as leverage to deter potential military action against Iraq. The United Nations Security Council addressed the matter through Resolution 664, adopted on 18 August 1990, demanding that Iraq permit and facilitate the departure of third-state nationals from both Kuwait and Iraq. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1987: The Hungerford massacre took place on August 15, 1987, in Hungerford, England, when a gunman killed 16 people and injured 15 others before taking his own life. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in British history, leading to significant changes in gun control laws in the UK. The incident raised awareness about gun violence and prompted discussions on public safety and mental health. source: bbc.com
- 1986: On August 15, 1986, President Ronald Reagan announced the decision to build a fourth space shuttle orbiter to replace the Challenger, which was destroyed on January 28, 1986. This move aimed to restore the shuttle fleet's capabilities and support future space exploration initiatives. Additionally, Reagan declared that NASA would cease launching commercial satellites, encouraging private industry to take over this role. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 1982: On August 15, 1982, Equatorial Guinea held a constitutional referendum, resulting in the adoption of a new constitution that replaced the 1973 document. The referendum passed with 95.8% approval, establishing Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo as president for a seven-year term and introducing provisions for human rights protection and limited political representation. This constitution was later replaced in 1991. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1978: On August 15, 1978, Madhu Limaye, the general secretary of the Janata Party, submitted his resignation letter. Efforts were made to persuade him to reconsider, but his principled stance garnered support within the party and among independent Members of Parliament. source: indianexpress.com
- 1975: After the assassination of President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on August 15, 1975, Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad, a close associate of Mujib, took control of the government. He declared himself President of Bangladesh, marking the first direct military intervention in the country's civilian administration. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1962: On August 15, 1962, U.S. Private First Class James Joseph Dresnok defected to North Korea by crossing the Demilitarized Zone from South Korea. Facing a court martial for forging documents, he sought asylum in the North, where he later appeared in propaganda films and taught English. source: washingtonpost.com
What famous birthdays are on August 15?
On August 15th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Jennifer Lawrence]()
Jennifer Lawrence (1990)Jennifer Lawrence is an American actress who gained worldwide recognition for her performances in films such as 'The Hunger Games' series, 'Silver Linings Playbook,' and 'X-Men: First Class.' She is known for her versatile acting skills and has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award. [bio]
![Ben Affleck]()
Ben Affleck (1972)Ben Affleck is an acclaimed American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his roles in movies such as 'Good Will Hunting', 'Argo', and 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'. Over his career, he has received several prestigious awards, including two Academy Awards and three Golden Globes. [bio]
![Julia Child]()
Julia Child (1912)Julia Child was an American cooking teacher, author, and television personality, recognized for bringing French cuisine to the American public through her cookbooks and television programs. [bio]
![Anthony Anderson]()
Anthony Anderson (1970)Anthony Anderson is an American actor, comedian, and game show host, best known for his leading role in the sitcom 'Black-ish' and for starring in drama and comedy films. He has received several Emmy nominations and is recognized for his contributions to both television and film. [bio]
![Stieg Larsson]()
Stieg Larsson (1954)Stieg Larsson was a Swedish journalist and writer best known for his posthumously published Millennium Trilogy of crime novels, beginning with 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' [bio]
![Rakhee Gulzar]()
Rakhee Gulzar (1947)Rakhee Gulzar, popularly known as Rakhee, is an acclaimed Indian actress who was prominent in Hindi cinema from the late 1960s through the 1990s. She is known for her powerful performances in both leading and supporting roles, appearing in some of Bollywood's most memorable films. [bio]
![Debra Messing]()
Debra Messing (1968)Debra Messing is an American actress best known for her starring role as Grace Adler in the NBC sitcom 'Will & Grace,' for which she has received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations. [bio]
![Stephen Breyer]()
Stephen Breyer (1938)Stephen Breyer is an American lawyer, legal scholar, and former associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1994, Breyer served on the Court until his retirement in 2022. He is known for his pragmatic and moderate approach to constitutional law and his focus on interpreting laws in ways that aim to … [bio]
![Rose Marie]()
Rose Marie (1923)Rose Marie was an American actress, singer, and comedian best known for her role as Sally Rogers on the classic television sitcom 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.' She began her career as a child performer in vaudeville and radio under the name 'Baby Rose Marie' and became one of the most recognizable characters in American television history. [bio]
![Jim Dale]()
How to check someone's birthday?
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Who died on August 15?
On August 15th the following celebrities died:
![Gerd Müller]()
Gerd Müller (2021)Gerd Müller was a legendary German footballer renowned for his prolific scoring abilities, earning the nickname 'Der Bomber.' He is widely considered one of the greatest strikers in the history of football, with an unmatched goal record at both club and international level. [bio]
![Paul Lukas]()
Paul Lukas (1971)Paul Lukas was a Hungarian-American actor best known for his Academy Award-winning role in 'Watch on the Rhine' (1943). He had a prolific career spanning both European and American cinema, excelling in stage, film, and television performances. [bio]
![Julian Bond]()
Julian Bond (2015)Julian Bond was an American social activist, leader in the Civil Rights Movement, politician, professor, and writer. He was a co-founder of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and a prominent advocate for civil rights and social justice throughout his life. [bio]
![Jan Kiepura]()
Jan Kiepura (1966)Jan Kiepura was a renowned Polish tenor and actor, celebrated internationally for his operatic and film performances during the 20th century. He achieved fame across Europe and the United States, enchanting audiences with his vocal talent as well as his charismatic screen presence. [bio]
![Viktor Tsoi]()
Viktor Tsoi (1990)Legendary Russian rock musician, lead singer of the iconic band Kino, who became a cultural hero in the Soviet Union and died tragically in...
![Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]()
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (1975)Founding father and first president of Bangladesh, a pivotal political leader who played a crucial role in the country's independence and...
![Jerry Wexler]()
Jerry Wexler (2008)Legendary music producer who played a pivotal role in the development of rhythm and blues and rock and roll, working with iconic artists...
![Jacques Vergès]()
Jacques Vergès (2013)Renowned French lawyer known for defending controversial clients like Klaus Barbie and Carlos the Jackal.
![Giorgio Perlasca]()
Giorgio Perlasca (1992)Italian diplomat and humanitarian who saved approximately 5,000 Jews during the Holocaust by posing as a Spanish diplomat in Budapest.
![Hugo Theorell]()
Hugo Theorell (1982)Hugo Theorell was a renowned Swedish biochemist who made significant contributions to enzyme research.
What day of the year is August 15?
August 15th marks the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 228th in case of leap years).
There are 138 days remaining until the end of the year.
August 15th is the 15th day of the month of August.
What day of the week is August 15?
On August 15th, 2026 the day of the week is Saturday.
| August | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | |||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| 31 | ||||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day August 15?
The zodiac sign associated with August 15th is Leo according to the Western Zodiac.
