Today in history, April 15, is a day when some very important things happened around the world and in India. This date is remembered for the sad sinking of the "unsinkable" Titanic and the death of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. In India, it is also a day for both administrative and spiritual festivities. On this day in 1948, the state of Himachal Pradesh was created. We also remember the birthday of Guru Arjan Dev, who was the fifth Sikh Guru. Learning about these events helps us understand important moments that changed the world.
On April 15, the RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912. In the United States, President Abraham Lincoln passed away in 1865 after being shot the night before. India observes Himachal Day on this date to celebrate the formation of the province in 1948. Moreover, the Marrakesh Agreement created the World Trade Organization on this day in 1994.
This Day in History - What Happened on April 15
Let us explore the major events, birthdays, deaths and other important historical events that took place on this day in history. For ease of reading all the events are marked in different categories such as major national and international events, birthdays, deaths etc.
Major Historical Events on April 15
Assassination of American President Abraham Linclon, 1865
Abraham Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865. He was the 16th president of the United States. He had been shot by John Wilkes Booth the evening before at the Ford Theater in Washington D.C.
Lincoln is remembered as being the U.S. president during the American Civil War. He played a significant role in saving the Union and ending slavery. He was killed only a few days after the Confederate surrender. This tragedy changed the course of the reconstruction era in America greatly.
Sinking of Titanic, 1912
RMS Titanic sunk during early hours (2:20 am) of April 15, 1912. In its maiden voyage, the British passenger liner hit an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean. It was heading towards New York City from Southampton. The ship was referred to as unsinkable on many occasions because it was designed in an advanced manner. But it did not have sufficient boats to accommodate all the people and the crew. More than 1,500 people perished in the icy waters of the Atlantic. This incident brought significant alterations in ship safety laws. These modifications involved the compulsory use of 24 hour radio watches and sufficient number of lifeboats to accommodate all the people on board.
Formation of Himachal Pradesh, 1948
On this day, Himachal Pradesh was established as a central province in 1948. 30 Himalayan princely states united to become one administrative unit. The province was established April 15, 1948, but it became a Union Territory in 1956. On January 25, 1971 it was finally granted full statehood.
Establishment of WTO, 1994
On April 15, 1994, trade leaders from 124 countries came together in Marrakesh, Morocco. They signed the Marrakesh Agreement to finish the Uruguay Round of trade talks. This agreement officially created the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO took the place of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This organization watches over global trade and makes sure that trading between countries happens easily and reliably.
Capture of Tikrit, 2003
Tikrit the stronghold of Saddam Hussain was captured on April 15, 2003 by the US forces. This effectively led to the collapse of the resistance.
Birthdays
Leonardo Da Vinci, 1452
On this day in 1452, the famous Italian polymath, Leonardo Da Vinci, was born in Anchiano, near Vinci, Florence, Italy. He is famous for his artworks such as Mona Lisa, the Vitruvian Man, and the Last Supper. Due to his creative intellect and scientific curiosity, he is known as the Renaissance Man.
Guru Arjan Dev, 1563
Guru Arjan Dev was born on 15th April, 1563, at Goindwal Sahib. He was the fifth Guru of the Sikhs. His works on the Sikh religion were seminal. He put together the first official compilation of the Sikh scripture referred to as the Adi Granth. This was later to be referred to as the Guru Granth Sahib.
He was also in charge of the construction of the Harmandir Sahib, also referred to as the Golden Temple, in Amritsar. The first martyr of Sikh religion was Guru Arjan Dev. His teachings and life are based on service and sacrifice.
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