Anniversaries and commemorations come and go daily. Most of us, even the best historians, miss most occasions. If we think of history as events then we are faced with a continually showering in the grains of sand. Nevertheless, we do pick out certain patterns in the remembrance of historical dates. The blog here reminds us of some dates where the local, state, national, and global perspectives entwine.
On 15, Monday March 1869, Stanisław Wojciechowski, 2nd President of the Republic of Poland, born (d. 1953)
On 15, Saturday March 1919, (15–17)Members of the American Expeditionary Forces convene in Paris, for the first American Legion caucus.
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, WWII: Battle of Monte Cassino: Allied aircraft bomb the monastery and an assault is staged.
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, WWII: The National Council of the French Resistance approves the Resistance programme.
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, Soviet Union has introduced new anthem, replacing The Internationale.
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, In Sweden, the 1864 law which had criminalized homosexuality is abolished.
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, Emmerich Danzer, Austrian figure skater, born
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, Otto von Below, German general, died (b. 1857)
On 15, Wednesday March 1944, Mariya Oktyabrskaya, Soviet national hero, died (b. 1905)
On 15, Sunday March 1959, Harold Baines, American baseball player, born
On 15, Sunday March 1959, Fabio Lanzoni, Italian fashion model and actor, born
On 15, Sunday March 1959, Shalva Dadiani, Soviet novelist, died (b. 1874)
On 15, Sunday March 1959, Lester Young, American jazz saxophonist, died (b. 1909)
On 15, Saturday March 1969, Matthew Morris, politician, born
On 15, Saturday March 1969, Timo Kotipelto, Finnish musician, born
On 15, Saturday March 1969, Yutaka Take, Japanese jockey, born
On 15, Thursday March 1979, Kevin Youkilis, American baseball player, born
On 15, Thursday March 1979, Léonide Massine, Russian dancer and choreographer, died (b. 1896)
On 15, Wednesday March 1989, Bryce Gibbs, Australian rules footballer, born
On 15, Wednesday March 1989, Israel hands over Taba to Egypt, ending a seven-year territorial dispute.
On 15, Wednesday March 1989, Mass demonstrations in Hungary, demanding democracy.
On 15, Wednesday March 1989, Caitlin Wachs, American actress, born
On 15, Tuesday March 1994, Sallyanne Atkinson, former Brisbane Lord Mayor, is appointed Federal Trade Commissioner in Paris.
On 15, Tuesday March 1994, U.S. troops are withdrawn from Somalia.
On 15, Monday March 1999, In Brussels, Belgium, the Santer Commission resigns over allegations of corruption.
On 15, Sunday March 2009, Ron Silver, American actor and political activist, died (b. 1946)
On 15, Saturday March 2014, State elections are held in South Australia and Tasmania. The Liberal Party defeats the Giddings Labor government in Tasmania, after 16 years in opposition. In South Australia, the result is a hung parliament, with Jay Weatherill’s Labor government remaining in power after the support of one of the crossbench independents.
On 15, Saturday March 2014, Clarissa Dickson Wright, English chef and television personality, died (b. 1947)
Other On This Day days in history
Neville Buch