February 15: What Happened on This Day in History
February 15th marks the 46th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 319 days (320 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 15th in history, famous birthdays on February 15th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 15.
What happened on February 15?
Here's what happened on February 15th in history:
- 2021: A catastrophic winter storm swept across the United States from Texas to Maine, causing widespread power outages affecting over 3 million people in Texas. The extreme weather event resulted in 210 fatalities, making it one of the most destructive winter storms in recent U.S. history.
- 2014: On February 15, 2014, a federal judge ruled that Virginia's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, paving the way for same-sex couples to marry in the state. The decision was part of a broader trend of legal challenges to state bans on same-sex marriage. source: nytimes.com
- 2008: On February 15, 2008, Wal-Mart announced its decision to exclusively sell Blu-ray discs, marking a significant victory in the format war against HD DVD. This decision influenced consumer preferences and the future of home video formats. source: nytimes.com
- 2002: On February 15, 2002, authorities uncovered a scandal at the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Georgia. Investigations revealed that the crematory had been improperly disposing of bodies, leading to the discovery of hundreds of uncremated bodies and body parts on the premises. This revelation shocked the community and raised serious ethical and legal questions about funeral practices. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1995: On February 15, 1995, China's population was estimated to have reached 1.2 billion people. This demographic milestone highlighted the rapid population growth in the country during the late 20th century. source: worldometers.info
- 1994: On February 15, 1994, a powerful earthquake struck southern Sumatra, Indonesia, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale. The quake caused significant damage and loss of life, with reports indicating hundreds of casualties and widespread destruction in affected areas. source: usgs.gov
- 1988: Richard Feynman, renowned for his contributions to quantum electrodynamics and recipient of the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics, passed away on February 15, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, due to complications from abdominal cancer. source: britannica.com
- 1985: On February 15, 1985, the World Chess Championship match between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov was abruptly terminated by FIDE President Florencio Campomanes after 48 games, with Karpov leading 5-3. The decision cited player exhaustion and health concerns, despite both players expressing a desire to continue. This remains the only world championship match to be abandoned without a result. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1981: Richard Petty secured his record-breaking seventh Daytona 500 victory on February 15, 1981, at Daytona International Speedway. In a strategic move, Petty's crew chief, Dale Inman, opted for a fuel-only pit stop with 25 laps remaining, allowing Petty to leap from fourth to first place. Despite running on worn tires, Petty held off Bobby Allison to win by 3.5 seconds. source: washingtonpost.com
- 1977: On February 15, 1977, Aeroflot Flight 5003, an Ilyushin Il-18V aircraft, crashed near Mineralnye Vody, Russia, after a missed approach. The crash resulted in 77 fatalities out of 98 people on board. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on February 15?
On February 15th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Galileo Galilei]()
Galileo Galilei (1564)Galileo Galilei was an Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer who made revolutionary contributions to science, laying the foundations of modern physics and observational astronomy. He is renowned for his improvements to the telescope, astronomical observations, and his support for the Copernican heliocentric system, which eventually led to conflict with the Roman Catholic Church. [bio]
![Chris Farley]()
Chris Farley (1964)Chris Farley was an American comedian and actor known for his energetic and physically comedic performances on 'Saturday Night Live' and in films such as 'Tommy Boy' and 'Black Sheep.' [bio]
![Harvey Korman]()
Harvey Korman (1927)Harvey Korman was an American actor and comedian best known for his work on 'The Carol Burnett Show' and in Mel Brooks' comedy films, including 'Blazing Saddles' and 'History of the World, Part I.' [bio]
![Cesar Romero]()
Cesar Romero (1907)Cesar Romero was an American actor and activist best known for his role as the Joker in the 1960s television series 'Batman'. Across his long Hollywood career, Romero excelled in film, television, and stage, playing a variety of roles, including Latin lovers, gangsters, and comedic characters. [bio]
![Jane Seymour]()
Jane Seymour (1951)Jane Seymour is an English actress best known for her roles in the James Bond film 'Live and Let Die' and the long-running American television series 'Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'. She has enjoyed a versatile career in film, television, and theatre, winning numerous awards for her performances. [bio]
![Kevin McCarthy]()
Kevin McCarthy (1914)Kevin McCarthy was an American stage, film, and television actor, most famous for his leading role in the classic science fiction film 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956). He enjoyed a career spanning over seven decades and appeared in more than 100 films and television series. [bio]
![Melissa Manchester]()
Melissa Manchester (1951)Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for her hits in the 1970s and 1980s such as 'Midnight Blue' and 'You Should Hear How She Talks About You.' Her diverse career spans pop, adult contemporary, and stage performances. [bio]
![Meera Jasmine]()
Meera Jasmine (1984)Meera Jasmine is an acclaimed Indian actress best known for her work in South Indian cinema, particularly Malayalam and Tamil films. She has received numerous awards and accolades for her versatile performances, including a National Film Award. [bio]
![Callum Turner]()
Callum Turner (1990)Callum Turner is an English actor and model known for his roles in film and television, including performances in 'Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald', 'Emma.', and the TV miniseries 'War & Peace'. He is recognized for his versatile acting and rising profile in both British and international cinema. [bio]
![Sarah Wynter]()
Sarah Wynter (1973)Sarah Wynter is an Australian actress best known for her roles on American television, including her critically acclaimed portrayal of Kate Warner in the popular series '24.' She has also appeared in 'The Dead Zone' and various film projects. [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 February 15?
On February 15th the following celebrities died:
![Raquel Welch]()
Raquel Welch (2023)Raquel Welch was an American actress and model best known for her roles in 1960s and 1970s films, where she became an international sex symbol and pop culture icon. [bio]
![Ethel Merman]()
Ethel Merman (1984)Ethel Merman was an American actress, singer, and Broadway star renowned for her powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. She became an iconic figure in musical theatre, best known for her performances in classic Broadway productions. [bio]
![George Gaynes]()
George Gaynes (2016)George Gaynes was a Finnish-American actor and singer best known for his roles as Commandant Eric Lassard in the 'Police Academy' film series and as Henry Warnimont on the television series 'Punky Brewster.' [bio]
![Wally Cox]()
![Richard Feynman]()
![Nat King Cole]()
Nat King Cole (1965)Legendary African American jazz pianist and singer known for iconic hits like 'Unforgettable' and 'Mona Lisa', who significantly influenced...
![Little Walter]()
Little Walter (1968)Legendary blues harmonica player and singer who significantly influenced the Chicago blues scene and revolutionized harmonica playing...
![Bappi Lahiri]()
Bappi Lahiri (2022)Legendary Indian music composer, singer, and record producer who was a prominent figure in Bollywood music for decades.
![Theodor Escherich]()
Theodor Escherich (1911)Theodor Escherich was an Austrian-German pediatrician and bacteriologist who discovered the Escherichia coli (E.
![Martha Gellhorn]()
Martha Gellhorn (1998)Martha Gellhorn was a pioneering war correspondent and novelist who covered conflicts from the Spanish Civil War to World War II.
What day of the year is February 15?
February 15th marks the 46th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 319 days remaining until the end of the year (or 320 days in case of leap years).
February 15th is the 15th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 15?
The zodiac sign associated with February 15th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
