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
January 15 Thursday, January 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 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
7
Holidays
2022
Disaster 4 years ago
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts, cutting off communications with Tonga and causing a tsunami across the Pacific.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts with record force, severing communications across Tonga and generating a tsunami that reaches coastlines throughout the Pacific.
History
What happened on January 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 69World history
Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaiming himself Emperor of Rome, beginning a reign of only three months.
Otho proclaims himself Emperor of Rome, beginning a brief three-month rule.
- 1559UK history
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England and Ireland in Westminster Abbey, London.
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England and Ireland in Westminster Abbey.
- 1582European history
Truce of Yam-Zapolsky: Russia cedes Livonia to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
Russia and the Polish, Lithuanian Commonwealth sign a truce, with Russia ceding control of Livonia to the commonwealth.
- 1777US history
American Revolutionary War: New Connecticut (present-day Vermont) declares its independence.
New Connecticut declares independence from both Britain and New York, establishing itself as a sovereign republic that will later become Vermont.
- 1782US history
Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris addresses the U.S. Congress to recommend establishment of a national mint and decimal coinage.
Robert Morris recommends establishing a national mint and adopting decimal coinage to Congress.
- 1822European history
Greek War of Independence: Demetrios Ypsilantis is elected president of the legislative assembly.
Demetrios Ypsilantis is elected president of the Greek legislative assembly.
- 1867Disaster
Forty people die when ice covering the boating lake at Regent's Park, London, collapses.
Forty people drowned when ice covering the boating lake at Regent's Park in London gave way beneath skaters.
- 1967Sports
The first Super Bowl is played in Los Angeles. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.
The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35, 10 in the inaugural Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
- 1970War
Nigerian Civil War: Biafran rebels surrender following an unsuccessful 32-month fight for independence from Nigeria.
Biafran rebels surrender after a 32-month struggle for independence from Nigeria.
- 2009Disaster
US Airways Flight 1549 ditches safely in the Hudson River after the plane collides with birds less than two minutes after take-off. This becomes known as "The Miracle on the Hudson" as all 155 people on board were rescued.
Captain Chesley Sullenberger safely lands US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River, rescuing all 155 passengers and crew.
- 2022Disaster
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts, cutting off communications with Tonga and causing a tsunami across the Pacific.
The Hunga Tonga-Hunga Haʻapai volcano erupts with record force, severing communications across Tonga and generating a tsunami that reaches coastlines throughout the Pacific.
- 2023Disaster
Yeti Airlines Flight 691 crashes near Pokhara International Airport, killing all 72 people on board.
A plane crash near Pokhara International Airport kills all 72 people on board.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 15
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 83
Margaret Beckett
English metallurgist and politician, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Margaret Beckett, Britain's first female Foreign Secretary and a Labour MP for more than 45 years, turns 82 today.
Born
1943
Turns 83
today
Mihai Eminescu
Romanian journalist, author, and poet
1850 – 1889
Ruby Laffoon
American lawyer and politician, 43rd Governor of Kentucky
1869 – 1941
Lewis Terman
American psychologist, eugenicist, and academic
1877 – 1956
Lloyd Bridges
American actor
1913 – 1998
Jenny Nimmo
English author
b. 1944 · 82
Matt Holliday
American baseball player
b. 1980 · 46
Music
The number one songs on January 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 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 January 15, 1967
The first Super Bowl is played in Los Angeles. The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35-10.
The Green Bay Packers defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 35, 10 in the inaugural Super Bowl in Los Angeles.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 15, 2005
ESA's SMART-1 lunar orbiter discovers elements such as calcium, aluminum, silicon, iron, and other surface elements on the Moon.
SMART-1 detects calcium, aluminum, silicon, iron, and other elements on the Moon's surface.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Arbor Day (Egypt)
International
Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees
Armed Forces Remembrance Day (Nigeria)
International
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) is observed on 15 January in Nigeria
Army Day (India)
International
Army Day is celebrated on 15 January every year in India, in recognition of Lieutenant General Kodandera M
John Chilembwe Day (Malawi)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Malawi
Korean Alphabet Day (North Korea)
International
Hangul Day, called Hangeul Day (Korean: 한글날) in South Korea, and Chosŏn'gŭl Day (Korean: 조선글날) in North Korea, is a holiday celebrating the creation or promulgation of the native Korean alphabet, also
Ocean Duty Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays