May 15 in History
May 15 is the birthday of Haerin (2006) and the anniversary of the death of Robert Walls (2025). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for May 15, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Sejong the Great, Korean king of Joseon was born in 1397, while Valentinian II, Roman emperor died in 392.
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Famous people born on May 15
Famous people who died on May 15
2015
Jackie Brookner (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Jackie Brookner, American sculptor and educator (born 1945)
2015
Garo Yepremian (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Armenian-Cypriot American football player (1944–2015)
2012
Arno Lustiger (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
German historian and author of Jewish origin (1924–2012)
2007
Jerry Falwell (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
American Baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist (1933–2007)
What happened on May 15
- 2024
Prime Minister of Slovakia Robert Fico is shot and critically injured while meeting with supporters at an event in Handlová.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
An upsurge in violence in Iraq leaves more than 389 people dead over three days.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2010
Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted around the world solo.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2008
California becomes the second U.S. state after Massachusetts in 2004 to legalize same-sex marriage after the state's own Supreme Court rules a previous ban unconstitutional.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2004
Arsenal F.C. go an entire league campaign unbeaten in the English Premier League, joining Preston North End F.C. with the right to claim the title "The Invincibles".
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2001
A CSX EMD SD40-2 8888 rolls out of a train yard in Walbridge, Ohio, with 47 freight cars, including some tank cars with flammable chemical, after its engineer fails to reboard it after setting a yard switch. It travels south driverless for 66 miles (106 km) until it is brought to a halt near Kenton. The incident became the inspiration for the 2010 film Unstoppable.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
The United States government acknowledges the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos and dedicates the Laos Memorial in honor of Hmong and other "Secret War" veterans.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1997
The Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on STS-84 to dock with the Russian space station Mir.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
Édith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1988
Soviet–Afghan War: After more than eight years of fighting, the Soviet Army begins to withdraw 115,000 troops from Afghanistan.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1976
Aeroflot Flight 1802 crashes near Viktorivka, Chernihiv Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, killing 52.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1974
Ma'alot massacre: Members of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine attack and take hostages at an Israeli school; a total of 31 people are killed, including 22 schoolchildren.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1972
The Ryukyu Islands, under U.S. military governance since their conquest in 1945, revert to Japanese control.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1970
President Richard Nixon appoints Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington as the first female United States Army generals.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1963
Project Mercury: The launch of the final Mercury mission, Mercury-Atlas 9 with astronaut Gordon Cooper on board. He becomes the first American to spend more than a day in space, and the last American to go into space alone.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on May 15
- 1397 — Sejong the Great, Korean king of Joseon (died 1450)
- 1531 — Maria of Austria, Duchess of Jülich-Cleves-Berg (died 1581)
- 1565 — Hendrick de Keyser, Dutch sculptor and architect (died 1621)
Died on May 15
- 392 — Valentinian II, Roman emperor (born 371)
- 558 — Hilary of Galeata, Christian monk (born 476)
- 884 — Marinus I, pope of the Catholic Church (born 830)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for May 15
Quick answers
Who was born on May 15? Haerin (2006), Huddy (musician) (2002), Dayana Yastremska (2000).
Who died on May 15? Robert Walls (2025), Kamla Beniwal (2024), Fred Willard (2020).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in May? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the May 15 historical article above.
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