Discover what happened on July 15 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

July 15

Discover what happened on July 15 with HISTORY&#8217;s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

What Happened on July 15 | HISTORY

Home

HISTORY

2006

1978

1965

1806

1997

1971

1918

1964

1979

1986

1988

1953

1903

1789

America’s Founding Fathers decided that one elected civilian—the U.S. president—would lead the executive branch of the federal government, a governmental structure that has remained in place for more than 200 years.

U.S. Presidents

World War I pitted Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire against Great Britain, the United States, France, Russia, Italy and Japan. New military technology resulted in unprecedented carnage. By the time the war was over and the Allied Powers claimed victory, more than 16 million people—soldiers and civilians alike—were dead.

World War I

In the 15th century, Europeans began to sail west across the Atlantic Ocean in search of new routes to China and the East, but in the process they discovered what they labeled a "New World," although Indigenous people had lived there for centuries. Other explorers have pushed the limits of flight and seafaring, and traversed the frozen Continent of Antarctica.

Exploration

Native American history spans an array of diverse groups and leaders, including Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse and Tecumseh, and events like the Trail of Tears, the French and Indian War and the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

Native American History

Crime has been a dark and powerful undercurrent in human society throughout history. Uncover the facts behind some of the most daring robberies, brazen scams and brutal murders ever committed.

Crime

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

U.S. Government and Politics

The Revolutionary War waged by the American colonies against Britain influenced political ideas and revolutions around the globe, as a small fledgling nation won its freedom from the greatest military force of its time.

American Revolution

Videos

<a href="http://history.com/">HISTORY.com</a> works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including <a href="https://www.history.com/author/amanda-onion">Amanda Onion</a>, <a href="https://www.history.com/author/missy-sullivan">Missy Sullivan</a>, <a href="https://www.history.com/author/matt-mullen">Matt Mullen</a> and Christian Zapata.

History.com Editors

Art history tells the complex story of human civilization through art, literature and design. It ranges from prehistoric art of the Neolithic period through Renaissance masterpieces, Impressionism, Modernism, the Bauhaus and contemporary art.

Art, Literature and Film History

Space exploration, one of the greatest technological achievements in human history, includes the Apollo missions, the Space Shuttles Columbia and Challenger, and people like Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.

Space Exploration

Inventions from the telephone to the Model T and the computer have defined human history, and inventors like Leonardo da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison, Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell have transformed our society.

This Day In History: July 15

Twitter launches

Also on This Day in History July | 15

2,800 mile-long walk for Native American justice concludes in Washington, D.C.

This Day in History Video: What Happened on July 15

Mariner 4 studies Martian surface

Pike expedition sets out across the American Southwest

Fashion designer Gianni Versace murdered by Andrew Cunanan in killing spree

Nixon announces visit to communist China

Second Battle of the Marne begins with final German offensive

Senator Barry Goldwater nominated for president

Jimmy Carter speaks about a national “crisis in confidence”

Columbia Records drops country legend Johnny Cash after 26 years

“Die Hard” debuts, makes Bruce Willis a movie star

A notorious English killer is executed

Ford Motor Company takes its first order

Lafayette selected colonel-general of the National Guard of Paris

Also on This Day in History July | 15

Wake Up to This Day in History