Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 15 Sunday, February 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 15 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
1872
Politics 154 years ago
First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.
The Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne publishes its first issue, becoming one of the earliest anarchist newspapers in Europe.
History
What happened on February 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 438World history
Roman emperor Theodosius II publishes the law codex Codex Theodosianus.
Theodosius II publishes the Codex Theodosianus, a compilation of Roman laws and edicts.
- 590World history
Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia.
Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia, marking the beginning of a reign that would last for nearly four decades.
- 706European history
Byzantine emperor Justinian II has his predecessors Leontios and Tiberios III publicly executed in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Justinian II orders the public execution of former emperors Leontios and Tiberios III in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
- 1002European history
At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy.
Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy by Lombard nobles at an assembly in Pavia.
- 1113Religion
Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers.
Pope Paschal II issues Pie Postulatio Voluntatis, recognizing the Order of Hospitallers as a monastic order.
- 1214UK history
During the Anglo-French War (1213-1214), an English invasion force led by John, King of England, lands at La Rochelle in France.
King John leads an English invasion force that lands at La Rochelle during the Anglo-French War, opening a campaign in southwestern France.
- 1493World history
While on board the Niña, Christopher Columbus writes an open letter (widely distributed upon his return to Portugal) describing his discoveries and the unexpected items he came across in the New World.
Christopher Columbus pens a widely circulated letter from the Niña detailing his discoveries and unusual finds in the New World.
- 1637European history
Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor.
Ferdinand III succeeds his father Ferdinand II as Holy Roman Emperor, inheriting leadership of the Habsburg domains during the Thirty Years' War.
- 1690European history
Constantin Cantemir, Prince of Moldavia, and the Holy Roman Empire sign a secret treaty in Sibiu, stipulating that Moldavia would support the actions led by the House of Habsburg against the Ottoman Empire.
Constantin Cantemir signs a secret treaty with the Holy Roman Empire in Sibiu, pledging Moldavian support for Habsburg actions against the Ottomans.
- 1764US history
The city of St. Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana (now in Missouri, USA).
St. Louis is founded in Spanish Louisiana, marking the beginning of a prominent American city.
- 1798European history
The Roman Republic is proclaimed after Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a general of Napoleon, had invaded the city of Rome five days earlier.
The Roman Republic is proclaimed following the invasion of Rome by General Louis-Alexandre Berthier five days prior.
- 1872Politics
First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.
The Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne publishes its first issue, becoming one of the earliest anarchist newspapers in Europe.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 15
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 64
Milo Đukanović
Montenegrin politician, 29th Prime Minister of Montenegro
Milo Đukanović, Montenegrin politician who served as president from 1998 to 2002 and 2018 to 2023 and led the country for over three decades, turns 64 today.
Born
1962
Turns 64
today
Elihu Root
American lawyer and politician, 38th United States Secretary of State, Nobel Prize laureate
1845 – 1937
Hans von Euler-Chelpin
German-Swedish biochemist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
1873 – 1964
Robert Drew
American director and producer
1924 – 2014
Melissa Manchester
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1951 · 75
Darrell Green
American football player
b. 1960 · 66
Birdman
American rapper and producer
b. 1969 · 57
Music
The number one songs on February 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 15, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 15, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 15, 2003
The last Ariane 4 rocket is launched from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying Intelsat 907.
The last Ariane 4 rocket launches from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying the Intelsat 907 communications satellite.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
International Duties Memorial Day (Russia, regional)
International
The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia
John Frum Day (Vanuatu)
International
John Frum is a figure associated with cargo cults on the island of Tanna in Vanuatu
Liberation Day (Afghanistan)
International
Afghan Liberation Day is celebrated each year on February 15 in Afghanistan
National Flag of Canada Day (Canada)
International
National Flag of Canada Day, commonly shortened to Flag Day, is observed annually on February 15 to commemorate the inauguration of the flag of Canada on that date in 1965
Parinirvana Day, also celebrated on February 8. (Mahayana Buddhism)
International
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day is a Mahayana Buddhist holiday celebrated in East Asia, Vietnam and the Philippines
Statehood Day (Serbia), also observed by the Republic of Srpska since 2025.
International
Statehood Day, also known as the Sretenje, is a public holiday celebrated every 15 February in Serbia to commemorate the outbreak of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, which evolved into the Serbian