January 15: What Happened on This Day in History
January 15th marks the 15th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 350 days (351 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 15th in history, famous birthdays on January 15th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 15.
What happened on January 15?
Here's what happened on January 15th in history:
- 2020: The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare officially confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Japan, marking the beginning of the pandemic's spread in the country. This event would later prove to be a critical moment in the global coronavirus outbreak. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 2019: On January 15, 2019, gunmen stormed the DusitD2 hotel and office complex in Nairobi, Kenya, resulting in at least 21 deaths, including 14 civilians and one Kenyan soldier. The attack was claimed by the al-Qaeda-linked group al-Shabaab, which has previously targeted Kenya in retaliation for its military involvement in Somalia. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2011: On January 15, 2011, following the departure of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia appointed Fouad Mebazaa as the new acting president. This appointment was part of the transitional process in the aftermath of the Tunisian Revolution. source: aljazeera.com
- 2010: On January 15, 2010, Russia's State Duma ratified Protocol 14 to the European Convention on Human Rights, enabling reforms to streamline the European Court of Human Rights' operations. This move made Russia the last of the 47 Council of Europe member states to ratify the protocol. source: aljazeera.com
- 2007: On January 15, 2007, several associates of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein were executed. This action was part of the Iraqi government's efforts to hold individuals accountable for crimes committed during Hussein's regime. source: wsws.org
- 2001: On January 15, 2001, Wikipedia, a free online encyclopedia, was launched. It has since become one of the largest and most popular general reference works on the internet. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1998: Gulzarilal Nanda, an Indian politician and economist who served as Interim Prime Minister of India on two occasions, passed away on January 15, 1998, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. He was 99 years old at the time of his death. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1993: On January 15, 1993, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck off the coast of Kushiro, Hokkaido, Japan, at 20:06 JST. The earthquake resulted in two fatalities and 966 injuries, with significant damage in the Kushiro region. Ground liquefaction and landslides were among the notable effects. The earthquake was felt throughout Hokkaido, northern Honshu, Sakhalin, and the Kuril Islands. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1973: On January 15, 1973, President Richard Nixon announced the suspension of offensive military operations in Vietnam, marking a significant step towards de-escalation in the Vietnam War. This decision came as part of the broader peace negotiations aimed at ending the conflict. source: archives.gov
- 1972: On January 15, 1972, Joe Frazier successfully defended his World Heavyweight Championship title against Bob Foster. This match solidified Frazier's status as one of the top boxers of his era. source: britannica.com
What famous birthdays are on January 15?
On January 15th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Martin Luther King]()
Martin Luther King (1929)Martin Luther King Jr. was an American Baptist minister and civil rights leader who became the most visible spokesperson and leader in the American civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. He is best known for advancing civil rights through nonviolence and civil disobedience inspired by his Christian beliefs and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. [bio]
![Dove Cameron]()
Dove Cameron (1996)Dove Cameron is an American actress and singer, best known for her roles in the Disney Channel series 'Liv and Maddie' and the 'Descendants' film franchise. She has also found success as a solo pop artist and stage performer. [bio]
![Maria Schell]()
Maria Schell (1926)Maria Schell was an internationally acclaimed Austrian-Swiss actress known for her emotionally expressive performances in European and American films from the 1940s through the 1970s. [bio]
![Lloyd Bridges]()
Lloyd Bridges (1913)Lloyd Bridges was an American actor known for his work in film, television, and stage, with a career spanning over six decades. He is best remembered for his roles in classic films, as well as his performance in the television series 'Sea Hunt'. [bio]
![James Nesbitt]()
James Nesbitt (1965)James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor known for his work in television and film, particularly in British productions. He gained acclaim for roles in series like 'Cold Feet' and for appearing in 'The Hobbit' film trilogy. [bio]
![Frank Thornton]()
Frank Thornton (1921)Frank Thornton was an English actor best known for his roles in classic British sitcoms, particularly as Captain Stephen Peacock in 'Are You Being Served?' and as Truly in 'Last of the Summer Wine.' His career spanned television, film, and stage, where he gained a reputation for his comedic timing and distinguished presence. [bio]
![Chad Lowe]()
![Margherita Buy]()
Margherita Buy (1962)Margherita Buy is an acclaimed Italian actress celebrated for her significant contributions to Italian cinema. She is one of Italy’s most awarded actresses, known for her work in both dramatic and comedic roles, with a career spanning over three decades. [bio]
![Victor Rasuk]()
Victor Rasuk (1984)Victor Rasuk is an American actor best known for his roles in films such as 'Raising Victor Vargas' and 'Lords of Dogtown,' as well as TV series including 'How to Make It in America' and 'The Baker and the Beauty.' [bio]
![Neil Nitin Mukesh]()
Neil Nitin Mukesh (1982)Neil Nitin Mukesh is an Indian actor who primarily works in Hindi-language films. He is known for his performances in movies such as 'Johnny Gaddaar', 'New York', and 'Saaho'. He comes from a family with a strong musical background. [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 January 15?
On January 15th the following celebrities died:
![Ray Bolger]()
Ray Bolger (1987)Ray Bolger was an American actor, singer, and dancer best known for his portrayal of the Scarecrow in the 1939 film classic 'The Wizard of Oz.' He was renowned for his comedic timing, physical agility, and rubber-legged dance style, which made him one of the leading vaudeville and Broadway performers of his era. [bio]
![Carol Channing]()
Carol Channing (2019)Carol Channing was an American actress, singer, and comedian best known for her starring role in Broadway's 'Hello, Dolly!' and her distinctive voice and comedic timing. Her career spanned over seven decades in theater, film, and television. [bio]
![Brad Renfro]()
Brad Renfro (2008)Brad Renfro was an American actor best known for his breakthrough role as the young lead in the 1994 film 'The Client.' He appeared in a number of major films throughout the 1990s and early 2000s before his untimely death in 2008. [bio]
![Ruth Warrick]()
Ruth Warrick (2005)Ruth Warrick was an American actress, singer, and activist, best known for her roles in Orson Welles’s 'Citizen Kane' and on the long-running soap opera 'All My Children.' [bio]
![Susannah York]()
Susannah York (2011)Susannah York was an acclaimed English actress and writer, known for her roles in film, television, and stage throughout the 1960s and 1970s, including award-nominated performances and work with leading directors of her era. [bio]
![Gordon Jackson]()
Gordon Jackson (1990)Gordon Jackson was a distinguished Scottish actor best known for his roles in the television series 'Upstairs, Downstairs' and 'The Professionals'. Throughout his career, he earned acclaim for his versatility and strong screen presence in both dramatic and action-oriented roles. [bio]
![Shepperd Strudwick]()
Shepperd Strudwick (1983)Shepperd Strudwick was an American actor recognized for his work in film, television, and theater. He appeared in over 30 films from the 1930s through the 1980s, often portraying sophisticated or authority figures. [bio]
![John Dall]()
![Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah]()
Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah (2006)Emir of Kuwait from 1977 to 2006, he was a significant political leader who played a crucial role in Kuwait's modernization and regional...
What day of the year is January 15?
January 15th marks the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 350 days remaining until the end of the year (or 351 days in case of leap years).
January 15th is the 15th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 15?
The zodiac sign associated with January 15th is Capricorn according to the Western Zodiac.
