2015 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2015 Social Movements Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 02 Feb Magna Carta Exhibition: To commemorate the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta's signing in June 1215, the four original copies will be displayed at London's British Library, celebrating a pivotal moment in the history of civil rights and constitutional law.
- 12 Feb Darwin Day Celebrates Two Historic Birthdays: On February 12, 2015, the scientific community celebrated Darwin Day, marking the birthdays of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. The day honored their contributions to science and human rights, respectively. source: scientificamerican.com
- 03 Mar Slovenia legalizes same-sex marriage: On March 3, 2015, Slovenia's Constitutional Court ruled in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage, marking a significant step for LGBTQ+ rights in the country. This decision was celebrated by advocates for equality and human rights. source: bbc.com
- 10 Mar University of Oklahoma expels students over racist chant incident: On March 10, 2015, the University of Oklahoma expelled two students for their involvement in a racist chant captured on video. The incident sparked widespread outrage and discussions about racism on college campuses. source: nytimes.com
- 22 Mar King Richard III Reburial: The remains of King Richard III, discovered in a Leicester car park in 2012, were transported to Leicester Cathedral in preparation for his burial on March 26, marking a significant moment in British historical commemoration.
- 26 Mar Exhumation and reburial of Richard III: On March 26, 2015, the remains of King Richard III were reburied in Leicester Cathedral, following their discovery in 2012. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries and members of the public, marking a significant moment in British history. The reburial was part of a broader effort to honor the legacy of the last Plantagenet king. source: bbc.com
- 29 Mar State funeral of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew: On March 29, 2015, Singapore held a state funeral for its founding Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, who passed away on March 23 at the age of 91. The funeral procession began at Parliament House and proceeded to the University Cultural Centre at the National University of Singapore, where the state funeral service was held. The event was attended by world leaders and thousands of Singaporeans, despite heavy rain. source: dw.com
- 15 May Irish Journalist Comes Out Before Marriage Equality Referendum: TV3 journalist Ursula Halligan publicly disclosed her sexual orientation ahead of Ireland's historic Marriage Equality referendum, contributing to the national dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights and social acceptance.
- 27 May Greenland Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage: Greenland's parliament unanimously voted to legalize same-sex marriage before October 2015, advancing LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
- 27 Jun Bree Newsome removes Confederate flag from South Carolina State House: On June 27, 2015, activist Bree Newsome scaled a 30-foot flagpole outside the South Carolina State House to remove the Confederate flag, symbolizing her protest against racial oppression. She was arrested upon descent but inspired widespread support, leading to the flag's permanent removal on July 10, 2015. source: washingtonpost.com
- 05 Nov Japan's First Same-Sex Union: Koyuki Higashi and Hiroko Matsuhara become Japan's first officially recognized same-sex couple, marking a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ rights in the country.
- 17 Nov Ireland's first same-sex wedding: Ireland celebrated its first same-sex wedding on November 17, 2015, following the legalization of same-sex marriage earlier that year. The event marked a significant milestone in the country's LGBTQ+ rights movement. source: bbc.com
- 25 Nov The Gambia Bans Female Genital Mutilation: President Yahya Jammeh officially banned female genital mutilation, declaring it incompatible with Islamic principles, marking a significant step for women's rights in the country.
- 15 Dec New Zealand Flag Referendum Announced: New Zealand announced a flag design referendum, where voters would choose between the current flag featuring the British Union Jack and a new design with a silver fern and four red stars. The public vote was scheduled for March 2016.
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