May 17
Today In History

Historical Events in 2015

2015 The Eurasian Economic Union came into effect, enhancing political and economic cooperation among member countries.

2015 Boko Haram destroys Baga in Nigeria, starting Baga massacre, with up to 2,000 people killed.

2015 Gunmen commit mass murder at the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, shocking the world.

2015 A car bomb explodes outside a police college in Yemen, causing casualties.

2015 The perpetrators of the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris met their end in a hostage situation in 2015, followed by a related hostage crisis at a Jewish market in Vincennes, marking a period of heightened security concerns.

2015 A mass poisoning incident in Mozambique in 2015, involving contaminated beer, left a devastating toll of 75 fatalities and over 230 people falling ill, highlighting the dangers of food and beverage contamination.

2015 A devastating traffic accident on the Pakistan National Highway Link Road near Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Karachi, in 2015 led to the loss of at least 62 lives.

2015 Government raids kill 143 Boko Haram fighters in Cameroon.

2015 Turmoil erupts in international financial markets as the Swiss National Bank abandons the cap on the Swiss franc's value relative to the euro.

2015 Mamasapano Clash: A violent clash in Mamasapano, Philippines, claims the lives of 44 Special Action Force members, with casualties also on the opposing sides, underscoring the complexities of the region's conflict.

2015 A tragic aircraft crash occurred at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, claiming the lives of 11 people and injuring 21 others, marking a somber day in aviation history.

2015 A significant turning point in the Syrian civil war unfolded as the People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptured the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), a momentous victory in the Siege of Kobanî.

2015 TransAsia Airways Flight 235, carrying 58 people en route from Taipei to Kinmen, tragically crashes into the Keelung River shortly after takeoff, resulting in the heartbreaking loss of 43 lives.

2015 Turkey witnesses widespread protests and public outcry against harassment and violence against women following the tragic murder of a university student who bravely resisted an attempted rape.

2015 Tragedy strikes Haiti during a Mardi Gras parade, as a stampede claims the lives of eighteen people and injures seventy-eight others, casting a somber shadow over the festive celebration.

2015 The tranquil town of Rafz, Switzerland, is marred by a train collision, resulting in as many as 49 injuries and Swiss Federal Railways canceling some services. The incident leaves a lasting impact on rail safety.

2015 A devastating tragedy unfolded on the Padma River as a ferry carrying 100 passengers capsized, resulting in the loss of 70 lives and underscoring safety concerns in water transportation.

2015 A Metrolink train derails in Oxnard, California following a collision with a truck, leaving more than 30 injured.

2015 Russian politician Boris Nemtsov is assassinated in Moscow while out walking with his girlfriend.

2015 Tragedy strikes as 34 miners lose their lives in a suspected gas explosion at the Zasyadko coal mine in Donetsk, Ukraine, a devastating event in the region's mining history.

2015 The Bardo National Museum in Tunisia is attacked by gunmen. Twenty-three people, almost all tourists, are killed, and at least 50 other people are wounded.

2015 A rare cosmic alignment brought together a solar eclipse, equinox, and supermoon on this extraordinary day, captivating observers worldwide.

2015 The Siege of Kobanî in Syria witnessed a historic turning point as the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) broke the siege, reshaping the course of the Syrian civil war.

2015 Tragedy struck in Mogadishu, Somalia, on March 27, 2015, when al-Shabab militants attacked and temporarily occupied a hotel. The attack resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives, highlighting the ongoing challenges in the region.

2015 Air Canada Flight 624 encounters a harrowing ordeal as it skids off the runway at Halifax Stanfield International Airport, arriving from Toronto shortly past midnight. Miraculously, all 133 passengers and five crew members on board survive, though 23 individuals require treatment for minor injuries, highlighting the importance of aviation safety measures.

2015 Gunmen launched a deadly attack on Garissa University College in Kenya on April 2, 2015, killing at least 148 people and wounding 79 others, underlining the security challenges faced by the region.

2015 On this day in 2015, a group of four men executed a daring heist, stealing items worth up to £200 million from an underground safe deposit facility in London's Hatton Garden area, earning notoriety as the "largest burglary in English legal history."

2015 Nepal experienced a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8, resulting in the tragic loss of nearly 9,100 lives, leaving a lasting impact on the nation and its people.

2015 Nursultan Nazarbayev's re-election as President of Kazakhstan with an overwhelming 97.7% of the vote in 2015 underscored his enduring political influence and the nation's political landscape.

2015 A poignant and unprecedented moment unfolded in the annals of baseball history as a game between the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago White Sox recorded zero attendance due to the 2015 Baltimore protests, serving as a stark reminder of the social unrest gripping the city.

2015 In the heart of Texas, a tense standoff ensues as two gunmen attempt an attack on an anti-Islam event in Garland, Texas, organized in response to the Charlie Hebdo shooting, underscoring the complexities of freedom of expression and security.

2015 A train derailment in Philadelphia in 2015 led to the loss of eight lives and left more than 200 injured, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of infrastructure safety and disaster preparedness.

2015 Nepal experienced a massive earthquake in 2015, resulting in the tragic loss of 218 lives and leaving over 3,500 people injured, underscoring the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the need for disaster resilience.

2015 California's ecological diversity faced a major threat as the Refugio oil spill deposited a significant amount of crude oil onto the state's biologically diverse coastlines, causing extensive environmental damage.

2015 The Republic of Ireland made history by becoming the first nation to legalize gay marriage through a public referendum, a momentous step forward in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.

2015 On May 23, 2015, the skies unleashed their fury, resulting in catastrophic flooding caused by a tornado in Texas and Oklahoma, leading to the loss of at least 46 lives and underscoring the unpredictable and devastating power of natural disasters.

2015 On May 29th, 2015, the One World Observatory at One World Trade Center opened its doors. This momentous occasion allowed visitors to experience breathtaking views from the heart of Lower Manhattan, symbolizing resilience and renewal after the events of September 11, 2001.

2015 A devastating explosion rocks a gasoline station in Accra, Ghana, resulting in a tragic loss of more than 200 lives and leaving a city in shock and grief.

2015 Malaysia faced a seismic event as an earthquake with a moment magnitude of 6.0 struck Ranau, Sabah, causing substantial casualties and mass landslides, marking one of the most powerful earthquakes in Malaysian history.

2015 An unsettling incident unfolds as a man opens fire at policemen outside the police headquarters in Dallas, Texas, while a bag containing a pipe bomb adds to the tension before the assailant is eventually shot and killed by law enforcement.

2015 The political landscape in the United States takes a significant turn as American businessman Donald Trump announces his candidacy for President, setting in motion a memorable and contentious electoral journey.

2015 In 2015, a tragic mass shooting occurred at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, claiming the lives of nine innocent people and sparking a nationwide conversation on gun violence.

2015 The Afghan National Assembly building faced a brazen attack by gunmen following a suicide bombing, resulting in the demise of all six assailants and leaving 18 people injured. The incident underscored the ongoing challenges to stability in the region.

2015 On what became known as "Bloody Friday," a series of uncoordinated terrorist attacks in France, Tunisia, Somalia, Kuwait, and Syria result in over 750 casualties, underscoring the global challenges of security and terrorism.

2015 The U.S. Supreme Court's historic ruling, with a 5-4 decision, legalizes same-sex marriage nationwide, celebrating a momentous victory for LGBTQ+ rights and equality in the United States.

2015 The Formosa Fun Coast fire on June 27, 2015, at a recreational water park in Taiwan, resulted in a dust fire that claimed the lives of 15 people and injured 497 others, with 199 in critical condition.

2015 A tragic aviation disaster occurred in 2015 when a Hercules C-130 military aircraft crashed into a residential area in Medan, Indonesia, resulting in at least 116 deaths among the 113 people on board, leaving a community in mourning.

2015 Chile celebrated its first international football title with boundless joy, defeating Argentina in the 2015 Copa América Final, marking a historic moment in the nation's sporting history.

2015 The infamous drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán executes a daring escape from the maximum-security Altiplano prison in Mexico, marking his second successful evasion of justice and capturing global attention.

2015 The realm of space exploration achieved a historic feat as NASA's New Horizons probe executed the first-ever flyby of Pluto, culminating in the completion of the initial survey of our Solar System and unlocking new insights into the distant and enigmatic dwarf planet.

2015 A devastating suicide bombing in Diyala Governorate, Iraq, claims the lives of at least 120 people and injures 130 more, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

2015 A devastating explosion rocked the mostly Kurdish border town of Suruç, Turkey, on July 20, 2015, targeting the Socialist Youth Associations Federation and resulting in the loss of at least 31 lives and over 100 injuries, leaving a deep impact on the region.

2015 Diplomatic history was made on July 20, 2015, when the United States and Cuba resumed full diplomatic relations after five decades of tension and estrangement, signifying a significant step towards normalization.

2015 NASA unveils a groundbreaking discovery, Kepler-452b, detected by the Kepler telescope, marking a significant step in the quest to find habitable planets beyond our solar system.

2015 A tragic event unfolded in 2015 when gunmen attacked an Indian police station in Punjab, resulting in the loss of at least seven lives and numerous injuries. This act of violence had a profound impact on the affected community and raised concerns about security in the region.

2015 A piece of debris, suspected to be from Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, emerges on Réunion Island, reigniting global interest in the aviation mystery and offering a glimmer of hope for answers.

2015 The Environmental Protection Agency's Gold King Mine waste water spill releases heavy metal toxins into Colorado's Animas River, raising concerns about environmental protection.

2015 A suicide bomb attack rocked a mosque in Abha, Saudi Arabia, claiming the lives of at least 15 people, underscoring the persistent challenges posed by terrorism in the region and the world at large.

2015 Harris County, Texas, bears witness to a harrowing shooting incident that claims the lives of eight people, a day of profound sorrow for the community.

2015 A catastrophic event unfolds in Tianjin, China, as at least two massive explosions claim the lives of 173 people and leave nearly 800 injured, leaving a lasting impact on the region.

2015 Baghdad, Iraq, bore witness to a devastating truck bombing on August 13, 2015, claiming the lives of at least 76 people and leaving over 200 others wounded in a heart-wrenching act of terrorism.

2015 After 54 years of closure, the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, re-opens its doors, marking a significant milestone in the evolving relationship between the United States and Cuba.

2015 North Korea moves its clock back half an hour to introduce Pyongyang Time, 81 ⁄2 hours ahead of UTC.

2015 A series of air raids by the Syrian Arab Air Force on Douma, a rebel-held market town, results in the tragic loss of over 96 lives and severe injuries to hundreds, underscoring the humanitarian toll of the Syrian conflict.

2015 Trigana Air Flight 267, an ATR 42 aircraft, tragically crashes in Oksibl, Pegunungan Bintang, claiming the lives of all 54 individuals on board, marking a solemn day in aviation history.

2015 A devastating bomb explosion near Bangkok's Erawan Shrine on August 17, 2015, sent shockwaves through Thailand, claiming the lives of at least 19 people and injuring 123 others, leaving a nation in mourning.

2015 A live report turns into a tragedy in Moneta, Virginia, as a disgruntled former coworker shoots and kills two U.S. journalists, leaving the nation in shock.

2015 In 2015, Queen Elizabeth II achieves a historic milestone by becoming the longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, a testament to her enduring dedication to her nation.

2015 A crane collapses onto the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the tragic loss of 111 lives and injuring 394 others, underscoring the importance of safety in construction and infrastructure projects.

2015 The Indian town of Petlawad bears witness to a series of explosions involving propane and illegally stored mining detonators, resulting in a devastating loss of at least 105 lives and injuries to over 150, leaving a community in mourning.

2015 The first observation of gravitational waves, as announced by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations on February 11, 2016, marked a groundbreaking discovery in astrophysics.

2015 The prelude to the COVID-19 stock market crash unfolds as an overnight surge in lending rates in the United States prompts the Federal Reserve to intervene in the repo market, a foreshadowing of financial turbulence.

2015 A Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan attack on a Pakistan Air Force base near Peshawar results in the loss of security personnel, worshippers, and militants in a grim escalation of violence.

2015 A tragic stampede during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia results in over a thousand casualties, underlining the need for better crowd control measures during religious events.

2015 A harrowing mass shooting at a community college in Oregon claims the lives of nine individuals, prompting discussions on gun control and campus safety in the United States.

2015 Guatemala faces a devastating landslide triggered by heavy rains, resulting in the loss of 280 lives and highlighting the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters in the region.

2015 The SS El Faro cargo vessel sinks with all 33 crew members as it encounters the eyewall of Hurricane Joaquin, prompting discussions on maritime safety and weather forecasting in the Atlantic Ocean.

2015 The Kunduz hospital airstrike in Afghanistan leads to a devastating loss of forty-two lives, with an additional thirty-three individuals reported missing, casting a shadow over international conflict.

2015 A somber day in Turkish history, October 10, 2015, witnessed twin bomb blasts in Ankara, claiming 109 lives and leaving over 500 individuals injured, a tragic event etched in memory.

2015 A somber day in Pakistan as a suicide bomb attack claims the lives of at least seven individuals and leaves 13 others injured, a stark reminder of the challenges the nation faces in its quest for peace and stability.

2015 Hurricane Patricia set records with the lowest sea-level pressure and the highest non-tornadic sustained winds in the Western Hemisphere, striking Mexico and causing loss of life and significant damages.

2015 A tragic incident unfolded as a driver crashed into the Oklahoma State Homecoming parade, resulting in fatalities and injuries, casting a somber shadow over the event.

2015 South Asia experienced a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 in the Hindu Kush mountain range in 2015, resulting in the loss of 399 lives and injuries to 2,536 people.

2015 China announces the end of its one-child policy after 35 years, marking a significant shift in the country's population control measures. This policy change reflects evolving demographics and social considerations within China's rapidly changing society.

2015 Tragedy strikes the Romanian capital, Bucharest, as a devastating nightclub fire claims the lives of sixty-four people and leaves over 147 injured, casting a shadow over the city.

2015 Metrojet Flight 9268 is tragically bombed over the northern Sinai Peninsula, resulting in the loss of all 224 individuals on board.

2015 Tragedy struck on November 4, 2015, when a cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff from Juba International Airport in Juba, South Sudan, resulting in the loss of at least 37 lives and serving as a somber reminder of the perils of air travel.

2015 A tragic incident unfolded on November 4, 2015, as a building collapsed in the Pakistani city of Lahore, claiming the lives of at least 45 individuals and causing injuries to more than 100, casting a spotlight on the importance of construction safety standards.

2015 Tragedy struck the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais as an iron ore tailings dam burst, resulting in flooding, mudslides, and the loss of at least 17 lives, with two individuals still missing.

2015 Rona Ambrose assumed leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada, succeeding Stephen Harper, marking a transition in Canadian politics.

2015 Two suicide bombers detonate explosives in Bourj el-Barajneh, Beirut, resulting in the tragic loss of 43 lives and injuries to over 200 others.

2015 The coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris by Islamic State operatives, including suicide bombings, mass shootings, and a hostage crisis, tragically claimed 130 lives, leaving an indelible mark on France's history.

2015 A tragic hostage siege in Bamako, Mali, unfolds, claiming the lives of at least 19 people, leaving the world in sorrow and reflection.

2015 The government of Belgium imposed a security lockdown on Brussels, including the closure of shops, schools, and public transportation, in response to concerns about potential terrorist attacks.

2015 Tragedy struck in Hpakant, Kachin State, northern Myanmar, in 2015. A devastating landslide near a jade mine claimed the lives of at least 116 people, with around 100 more reported missing. This heartbreaking event highlighted the dangers faced by local communities in resource-rich but often hazardous environments.

2015 Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket makes history by becoming the first to journey to space and return to Earth with a controlled, vertical landing. This remarkable feat marks a milestone in the pursuit of reusable space technology.

2015 A Russian Air Force Sukhoi Su-24 fighter jet is downed by the Turkish Air Force over Syria, escalating tensions in the region and international geopolitics.

2015 A terrorist attack targeting a hotel in Al-Arish, Egypt, results in the tragic loss of at least seven lives and injuries to 12 others, underscoring security challenges in the region.

2015 An explosion on a bus carrying Tunisian Presidential Guard personnel in Tunisia's capital, Tunis, leaves at least 14 people dead, a tragic incident that shocks the nation.

2015 Colorado Springs, Colorado, witnesses a tragic incident as an active shooter targets a Planned Parenthood facility, resulting in the injury of at least four police officers, one officer's unfortunate demise, and the loss of two civilians, leaving the community in mourning and raising questions about gun violence.

2015 The San Bernardino attack, perpetrated by Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik, resulted in a tragic loss of lives and highlighted security concerns.

2015 Tragedy strikes as a firebomb is thrown into a restaurant in the Egyptian capital of Cairo, claiming the lives of 17 people and leaving an indelible mark on the city's history.

2015 Venezuela experiences a seismic political shift as the United Socialist Party of Venezuela loses its majority in parliament, marking a significant change in the country's political landscape after 17 years.

2015 The JAXA probe Akatsuki triumphantly enters orbit around Venus, achieving success after a determined five-year journey. This scientific milestone promises to unveil valuable insights into the enigmatic world of Venus.

2015 In 2015, the Syrian Democratic Council was established in Dêrik, marking the political wing of the Syrian Democratic Forces in northeast Syria amid the Rojava conflict, shaping the region's dynamics.

2015 The adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 marked a significant milestone in addressing climate change and safeguarding the planet's future.

2015 Kellingley Colliery, the last bastion of deep coal mining in Great Britain, falls silent, marking the end of a storied era in the nation's industrial and mining heritage.

2015 Istanbul's Sabiha Gökçen Airport is rocked by a bomb explosion, resulting in the tragic loss of an airport cleaner's life and later claimed by the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks, marking a somber moment in the region's history.

2015 The December 2015 North American storm complex unleashed a tornado outbreak in the DFW Metroplex, resulting in tragic fatalities and substantial damage, particularly in the suburb of Rowlett.

2015 A fire erupted at the Downtown Address Hotel in Downtown Dubai, United Arab Emirates, mere hours before a dazzling fireworks display was set to commence near the iconic Burj Khalifa. The incident resulted in sixteen reported injuries, including one individual who suffered a heart attack, underscoring the need for vigilance during celebratory events.

2015 Germanwings Flight 9525 crashed in the French Alps on March 24, 2015, under tragic circumstances, believed to be a pilot mass murder-suicide, resulting in the loss of all 150 individuals on board.

2015 A day of tragedy dawns in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as four valiant U.S. Marines meet their end in a shooting spree targeting military installations, leaving a nation in mourning and underscoring the sacrifices made by those in uniform.

2015 A tragic maritime disaster unfolds as a ship carrying 458 people capsizes in the Yangtze River in China's Hubei province, resulting in the loss of approximately 400 lives and highlighting the challenges of modern maritime transportation.

2015 Tragedy strikes the Colombian town of Salgar as heavy rains trigger a devastating landslide, claiming the lives of at least 78 people and leaving the community in mourning.

2015 Ten lives were tragically lost in a devastating bomb attack on a convoy delivering food supplies to a United Nations compound in Garowe, Puntland, Somalia.

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Joe Biden

Nov 20,1942 - Present

THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

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THE 45TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

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