April 15 in History: Famous Births, Events, and Deaths

April 15 is a date marked by remarkable moments in history, including milestones in science, culture, and human achievement. On this day in 1912, the RMS Titanic tragically sank after hitting an iceberg, becoming one of the most infamous maritime disasters. In 1947, Jackie Robinson broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier, making his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers. April 15 is also known as Tax Day in the United States, the deadline for filing federal income taxes. Many notable figures were born on this date, such as Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliant Italian artist and inventor, and Emma Watson, the talented English actress and activist.

Famous People Born on April 15

1452: Leonardo da Vinci: Italian painter, inventor, and scientist known for masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper

1707: Leonhard Euler: Swiss mathematician and physicist who made significant contributions to geometry, calculus, and number theory

1894: Nikita Khrushchev: Soviet leader who served as First Secretary of the Communist Party and played a key role during the Cold War

1933: Elizabeth Montgomery: American actress best known for her role in the television series Bewitched

1940: Lois Chiles: American actress and model recognized for her role in the James Bond film Moonraker

1959: Emma Thompson: British actress and screenwriter known for her performances in Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually

1990: Emma Watson: English actress and activist best known for portraying Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series

1997: Maisie Williams: English actress recognized for her role as Arya Stark in the television series Game of Thrones

Famous Events on April 15

1450: The Battle of Formigny took place during the Hundred Years' War, marking a decisive French victory over the English forces

1865: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln died after being shot the previous night, and Vice President Andrew Johnson became president

1912: The RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after colliding with an iceberg, resulting in the loss of more than 1,500 lives

1923: Insulin became widely available for general use to treat diabetes, revolutionizing medical treatment worldwide

1947: Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by playing his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers

1955: Ray Kroc opened the first McDonald’s franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, paving the way for the global fast-food empire

1989: The Hillsborough disaster occurred in Sheffield, England, leading to the tragic deaths of 96 Liverpool football fans

2013: Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds

Famous People Who Died on April 15

1865: Abraham Lincoln: American president who guided the nation through the Civil War and was assassinated in Washington, D.C.

1912: John Jacob Astor IV: American businessman, inventor, and writer who lost his life in the sinking of the Titanic

1912: Benjamin Guggenheim: American businessman and philanthropist who also perished in the Titanic disaster

1958: Rosalind Franklin: British scientist whose work with X-ray diffraction helped reveal the structure of DNA

1980: Jean-Paul Sartre: French philosopher, novelist, and playwright known for his ideas on existentialism and freedom

1990: Greta Garbo: Swedish-born film actress celebrated for her roles in classic Hollywood cinema

1998: Pol Pot: Cambodian political leader and head of the Khmer Rouge responsible for mass atrocities in Cambodia

2014: Gabriel García Márquez: Colombian writer and Nobel Prize laureate known for One Hundred Years of Solitude

April 15 stands as a remarkable date filled with triumphs, tragedies, and transformative moments that have shaped human history. From the tragic sinking of the Titanic to Jackie Robinson’s groundbreaking debut in Major League Baseball, the day highlights the resilience and progress of humanity through both sorrow and celebration. It also serves as a reminder of innovation and creativity through figures like Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius continues to inspire generations.

Throughout time, April 15 has carried significance across diverse fields such as art, science, politics, and sports. It has witnessed both the loss of visionary leaders and the birth of brilliant minds. This date encourages reflection on the enduring impact of historical events and the individuals who have left their mark on the world, reminding us that every day carries the potential to change history.