May 15: Holidays, Historical Events, Famous Birthdays & Zodiac Sign
On May 15, 1940, while the Netherlands surrendered to Nazi Germany, the very first McDonald's restaurant quietly opened its doors in California.
About May 15
May 15 is a day of profound contrasts. In 1940 alone, it brought both the capitulation of the Netherlands to German forces and the modest opening of the first McDonald's restaurant by Richard and Maurice McDonald in California—an event that would quietly seed one of the world's largest cultural and commercial empires. It is also Independence Day in Paraguay, which broke free from Spain in 1811, and the day Kyoto holds its ancient and spectacular Aoi Matsuri, one of Japan's oldest and most colorful festivals.
Across the centuries, this date has turned the tides of history. In 1252, Pope Innocent IV issued a papal bull authorizing torture in the Medieval Inquisition, while in 1648, the Peace of Münster ended Spain's long war with the Dutch by finally recognizing their sovereignty. In 1536, Anne Boleyn stood trial in London on fabricated charges of treason and adultery, condemned to death by a handpicked jury. Nearly five centuries later, in 2008, California became the second U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.
The date also celebrates remarkable human achievement. In 1963, astronaut Gordon Cooper became the first American to spend more than a day in space, circling the globe aboard the final Mercury mission. In 2010, sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world. And Taurus natives born on this day share the zodiac's famously stubborn determination—the same spirit that built the Shu Han dynasty in 221, when warlord Liu Bei proclaimed himself emperor.
Holidays & Observances on May 15
- Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto)
- Army Day (Slovenia)
- Constituent Assembly Day (Lithuania)
- Independence Day (Paraguay), celebrates the independence of Paraguay from Spain in 1811. Celebrations for the anniversary of the independence begin on Flag Day, May 14.
- International Conscientious Objectors Day
- International Day of Families (International)
- La Corsa dei Ceri begins on the eve of the feast day of Saint Ubaldo. (Gubbio)
- Mother's Day (Paraguay)
Fun & National Days on May 15
- Bring Flowers to Someone Day — Surprise a friend, neighbor, or coworker with a bright bouquet and watch their whole day transform.
- National Bike to Work Day — Ditch the car, pump up the tires, and pedal your morning commute for fresh air and exercise.
- Endangered Species Day — Learn about a threatened animal you've never heard of and find one small way to help protect it.
- HG Awareness Day
- International MPS Awareness Day
- International Virtual Assistants Day
- Jerusalem Day
- NASCAR Day
On This Day in History
- 221 — Warlord Liu Bei declared himself emperor of Shu Han, presenting his realm as the legitimate continuation of the fallen Han dynasty.
- 756 — Abd al-Rahman I became emir of Córdoba, founding an Arab dynasty that would govern much of Iberia for nearly three centuries.
- 1252 — Pope Innocent IV issued the papal bull ad extirpanda, authorizing but also imposing limits on the torture of heretics during the Medieval Inquisition.
- 1536 — Anne Boleyn stood trial in London on charges of treason, adultery, and incest, and a specially selected jury condemned the Queen of England to death.
- 1648 — The Peace of Münster was ratified, with Spain formally recognizing Dutch sovereignty and ending decades of rebellion in the Low Countries.
- 1851 — Australia's first gold rush was officially proclaimed, three months after the initial discovery that would transform the young colony's fortunes.
- 1911 — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Standard Oil an unreasonable monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and ordered the company broken apart.
- 1940 — Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant in California, the modest start of a global fast-food empire.
- 1940 — Dutch forces surrendered to Germany after fierce resistance, beginning five years of occupation during World War II.
- 1963 — Astronaut Gordon Cooper became the first American to spend more than a day in space aboard the final Mercury mission, Mercury-Atlas 9.
- 1988 — After more than eight years of grinding conflict, the Soviet Army began withdrawing 115,000 troops from Afghanistan.
- 2010 — Sixteen-year-old Jessica Watson became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop, and unassisted around the world.
Famous Birthdays on May 15
- 1397 — Sejong the Great, Joseon king who commissioned the creation of Hangul, Korea's alphabet, transforming literacy and culture.
- 1567 — Claudio Monteverdi, Italian composer whose operas bridged the Renaissance and Baroque eras, including the masterpiece L'Orfeo.
- 1856 — L. Frank Baum, American novelist who created the beloved Land of Oz and penned The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900.
- 1859 — Pierre Curie, French physicist and Nobel laureate whose pioneering research on radioactivity with Marie Curie reshaped modern science.
- 1937 — Madeleine Albright, Czech-American diplomat who made history as the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State.
- 1948 — Brian Eno, English musician and producer who pioneered ambient music and shaped the sound of rock as a producer.
- 1951 — Frank Wilczek, American physicist and Nobel laureate renowned for his groundbreaking work on the strong nuclear force.
- 1967 — Madhuri Dixit, Indian actress and classical dancer celebrated as one of Bollywood's most iconic and enduring stars.
- 1981 — Zara Phillips, English equestrian and Olympian, granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and a decorated eventing competitor.
- 1996 — Birdy, English singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a teenager with her haunting cover of Skinny Love.