December 15: What Happened on This Day in History
December 15th marks the 349th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 350th in case of leap years). There are 16 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 15th in history, famous birthdays on December 15th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 15.
What happened on December 15?
Here's what happened on December 15th in history:
- 2021: During a critical meeting at the Russian Foreign Ministry, the US delegation received a draft treaty concerning security guarantees between the Russian Federation and the United States, along with a proposed agreement on security measures for Russia and NATO member states.
- 2014: On December 15, 2014, a hostage crisis occurred at a Lindt chocolate café in Sydney, Australia. The incident lasted for 16 hours, during which a gunman held 18 people hostage. The situation ended with the deaths of the gunman and two hostages, leading to widespread shock and discussions about security and counter-terrorism measures in Australia. source: bbc.com
- 2008: On December 15, 2008, Siemens AG was implicated in a major corporate bribery scandal, leading to investigations in multiple countries. The company faced significant legal and financial repercussions as a result. source: nytimes.com
- 2000: On December 15, 2000, the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant ceased electricity generation with the shutdown of its last operational reactor, Unit 3. This marked the end of the plant's operations, which had been ongoing since 1977. The decision to close the plant was part of Ukraine's commitment to the international community, as outlined in the 1995 Memorandum of Understanding with the G7 countries and the European Commission. source: reuters.com
- 1995: On December 15, 1995, the European Court of Justice ruled that football players within the European Union have the right to move freely between clubs upon the expiration of their contracts, eliminating restrictions imposed by national associations and FIFA. This landmark decision, known as the Bosman ruling, significantly transformed the football transfer system by allowing players to transfer without a transfer fee when their contracts ended. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1994: On December 15, 1994, Netscape Communications Corporation released Netscape Navigator, a web browser that quickly became one of the most popular browsers of the 1990s. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1988: On December 15, 1988, Lori Davis filed a lawsuit against boxer Mike Tyson, alleging that he grabbed her buttocks while she was dancing at a nightclub in New York. This incident occurred on the same night as a previous lawsuit filed by Sandra Miller, who accused Tyson of similar behavior at the same venue. source: latimes.com
- 1985: Disneyland Paris, originally known as Euro Disney Resort, officially opened on December 15, 1985. This marked Disney's first theme park in Europe, aimed at expanding its global presence and attracting international visitors. The park has since become a major tourist destination, contributing significantly to the local economy and the broader European tourism industry. source: britannica.com
- 1981: On December 15, 1981, a suicide car bombing targeted the Iraqi embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of 61 people, including Iraq's ambassador to Lebanon, Abdul Razzak Lafta, and injuring at least 100 others. The attack was attributed to the Shi'a Islamist group al-Dawa, which had been involved in anti-Baathist activities and had received support from Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. The bombing is considered one of the earliest modern suicide attacks and foreshadowed subsequent attacks in the region. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1977: Kim Il Sung was re-elected as the President of North Korea on December 15, 1977, solidifying his grip on power. This event was part of the country's political structure, which allowed for no real opposition. source: nytimes.com
What famous birthdays are on December 15?
On December 15th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Tim Conway]()
Tim Conway (1933)Tim Conway was a celebrated American actor and comedian best known for his work on 'The Carol Burnett Show.' Renowned for his improvisational comic timing and physical comedy, Conway became a beloved figure in television comedy, earning multiple Emmy Awards throughout his career. [bio]
![Rachel Brosnahan]()
Rachel Brosnahan (1990)Rachel Brosnahan is an American actress best known for her critically acclaimed lead role as Miriam 'Midge' Maisel in the Amazon Prime Video series 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.' She has won multiple awards for her performances, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe. [bio]
![Michelle Dockery]()
Michelle Dockery (1981)Michelle Dockery is an English actress and singer best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the ITV television series 'Downton Abbey.' Her critically acclaimed performance on the show earned her multiple award nominations, solidifying her status as a leading figure in period drama television. [bio]
![Charlie Cox]()
Charlie Cox (1982)Charlie Cox is a British actor best known for his role as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the Marvel Television series 'Daredevil' and in other Marvel Cinematic Universe projects. He has also appeared in films such as 'Stardust' and the series 'Boardwalk Empire.' [bio]
![Adam Brody]()
Adam Brody (1979)Adam Brody is an American actor best known for his role as Seth Cohen on the television series 'The O.C.' He has also appeared in films such as 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' 'Jennifer's Body,' and 'Shazam!'. [bio]
![Helen Slater]()
Helen Slater (1963)Helen Slater is an American actress, singer-songwriter, and producer, best known for her role as the title character in the 1984 film 'Supergirl'. She has also appeared in substantial roles on both television and in film, including performances in 'The Legend of Billie Jean', 'Ruthless People', and 'City Slickers', as well as guest starring on shows like 'Smallville' and 'Supergirl'. [bio]
![Alan Freed]()
Alan Freed (1921)Alan Freed was an influential American disc jockey and radio personality who is widely credited with popularizing the term 'rock and roll' and helping to bring the genre to mainstream audiences during the 1950s. [bio]
![Stuart Townsend]()
Stuart Townsend (1972)Stuart Townsend is an Irish actor and director, best known for his roles in films such as 'Queen of the Damned' and 'The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen'. [bio]
![Ralph Ineson]()
Ralph Ineson (1969)Ralph Ineson is an English actor known for his distinctive deep voice and roles in both film and television, including 'Game of Thrones', 'The Witch', and 'The Office'. [bio]
![Jeff Chandler]()
Jeff Chandler (1918)Jeff Chandler was an American actor, film producer, and singer, known for his distinctive gray hair and deep voice. He gained fame in the 1950s, notably for his roles in Westerns and adventure films. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 15?
On December 15th the following celebrities died:
![Walt Disney]()
Walt Disney (1966)Walt Disney was an American film producer, animator, and entrepreneur, widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in the entertainment industry. He co-founded The Walt Disney Company and played a pivotal role in the development of animated films and theme parks worldwide. [bio]
![Charles Laughton]()
Charles Laughton (1962)Charles Laughton was a celebrated English actor and director, acclaimed for his powerful performances on both stage and screen. Renowned for his versatility, Laughton became one of the most distinctive stars of classical Hollywood, earning accolades for his work in films such as 'The Private Life of Henry VIII,' 'Mutiny on the Bounty,' and 'Witness for the Prosecution.' He is … [bio]
![Fats Waller]()
Fats Waller (1943)Fats Waller was an influential American jazz pianist, organist, composer, and comedic entertainer, widely recognized for his innovations in stride piano and contributions to the development of early jazz. [bio]
![Blake Edwards]()
Blake Edwards (2010)Blake Edwards was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer, best known for his work in comedy and musical films, particularly the 'Pink Panther' series and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' [bio]
![Joan Fontaine]()
Joan Fontaine (2013)Joan Fontaine was a British-American actress regarded for her work in classic Hollywood cinema, notably in Alfred Hitchcock's thrillers. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress and is remembered as one of the leading actresses of the 1940s. [bio]
![Glenn Miller]()
Glenn Miller (1944)Glenn Miller was an American trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists of the 1930s and 1940s, known for his distinctive big band sound and hits like "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," and "Chattanooga Choo Choo." Miller's music became emblematic of World War II, and he led the Army Air … [bio]
![Jean Paige]()
![Christopher Hitchens]()
Christopher Hitchens (2011)Christopher Hitchens was a renowned British-American journalist, author, and social critic known for his sharp intellect, provocative...
![Wolfgang Pauli]()
Wolfgang Pauli (1958)Wolfgang Pauli was a groundbreaking Austrian-born physicist who made fundamental contributions to quantum mechanics.
![Vasily Zaytsev]()
Vasily Zaytsev (1991)Legendary Soviet sniper during World War II, famous for his exceptional marksmanship during the Battle of Stalingrad.
What day of the year is December 15?
December 15th marks the 349th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 350th in case of leap years).
There are 16 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 15th is the 15th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 15?
On December 15th, 2026 the day of the week is Tuesday.
| December | 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 December 15?
The zodiac sign associated with December 15th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
