1817day.year
Opening of the first private mental health hospital in the United States, the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason (now Friends Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania).
In 1817, the Asylum for the Relief of Persons Deprived of the Use of Their Reason opened in Philadelphia as the first private mental health hospital in the United States.
Founded by Quaker reformers in Philadelphia, the hospital introduced humane treatment for mental illness that contrasted with harsh practices of the time. Emphasizing compassion, occupational therapy, and family involvement, it became a model for psychiatric care. Renamed Friends Hospital, it remains the oldest private psychiatric hospital in the nation. The institution's founding marked a shift towards medical and moral treatment of mental health. Its pioneering approach influenced the development of humane psychiatric services across America.
1817
Friends Hospital
Philadelphia
1891day.year
Pope Leo XIII defends workers' rights and property rights in the encyclical Rerum novarum, the beginning of modern Catholic social teaching.
Pope Leo XIII issued Rerum novarum in 1891, defending the rights of workers and laying the foundation for Catholic social teaching.
Rerum novarum addressed social and economic issues arising from the Industrial Revolution, condemning abuses like child labor and unfair wages. Pope Leo XIII affirmed the dignity of work, the right to private property, and the formation of labor associations. The encyclical rejected socialism while calling for state intervention to ensure justice. It influenced political movements and labor reforms in Catholic and secular contexts worldwide. Rerum novarum remains a cornerstone of modern Catholic social doctrine and ethical discourse on human rights and economic justice.
1891
Pope Leo XIII
workers' rights
Rerum novarum
Catholic social teaching
1905day.year
The city of Las Vegas is founded in Nevada, United States.
Las Vegas was founded on May 15, 1905, as a railroad town in Nevada.
It later became world famous for its casinos, nightlife, and entertainment.
On May 15, 1905, Las Vegas was officially founded when land was auctioned alongside the San Pedro, Los Angeles and Salt Lake Railroad.
Originally named for the lush meadows and natural springs in the valley, the town served as a vital watering stop for rail travelers.
The arrival of the railroad spurred settlement, trade, and the growth of ranching in the surrounding desert.
After gambling was legalized in 1931, Las Vegas quickly transformed into a hub for entertainment and hospitality.
By the mid-20th century, iconic resorts and casinos on the Strip established its reputation as the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Today, Las Vegas welcomes millions of visitors annually, drawn to its shows, gaming, and vibrant nightlife.
1905
Las Vegas
Nevada
1916day.year
A seventeen-year-old farmworker, Jesse Washington, is infamously lynched in Waco, Texas, USA, after being convicted of rape and murder.
Seventeen-year-old Jesse Washington was brutally lynched by a mob in Waco, Texas, in 1916 under the shadow of racial injustice.
On May 15, 1916, Jesse Washington, a 17-year-old African American farmhand, was accused of rape and murder in Waco, Texas.
After a swift and controversial trial, a mob seized Washington from authorities and brutally lynched him in front of hundreds of onlookers.
The gruesome spectacle, including the mutilation and burning of his body, was photographed and circulated nationally.
The NAACP used the incident to campaign against lynching and highlight the urgency of federal anti-lynching legislation.
Although the event spurred outrage, no participants were ever prosecuted, underscoring the racial terror of the Jim Crow era.
1916
farmworker
lynched
Waco, Texas
convicted
rape
murder
1919day.year
The Winnipeg general strike begins. By 11:00, almost the whole working population of Winnipeg had walked off the job.
On May 15, 1919, Winnipeg’s workers launched one of Canada’s largest general strikes, halting the city’s economy.
On May 15, 1919, more than 30,000 workers in Winnipeg walked off the job, shutting down virtually all businesses and services.
The strike was driven by demands for fair wages, collective bargaining rights, and improved working conditions.
It became a focal point for labor activism across Canada, drawing support and scrutiny from the federal government.
For six weeks, the city was at a standstill until strike leaders were arrested and special constables broke the picket lines.
The Winnipeg General Strike influenced future labor legislation and remains a landmark in Canadian labor history.
1919
Winnipeg general strike
Winnipeg
1942day.year
World War II: In the United States, a bill creating the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) is signed into law.
The U.S. Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was established by law in 1942, allowing women to serve in non-combat roles.
On May 15, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the bill creating the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC). This landmark legislation authorized women to enlist in the U.S. Army in support positions, freeing men for combat roles. Over 150,000 women served as clerks, nurses, radio operators, and more during World War II. Though initially auxiliary, the WAAC laid the groundwork for full military integration. In 1943, it was converted to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) with full military status. The WAAC/WAC opened doors for women in the armed forces and shaped future policies on gender roles in the military.
1942
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps
1970day.year
President Richard Nixon appoints Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington the first female United States Army generals.
President Nixon appointed Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington as the first female generals in the U.S. Army.
President Richard Nixon made history on May 15, 1970, by appointing Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington as brigadier generals.
This groundbreaking decision marked the first time women held general officer rank in the U.S. Army.
General Hays, an Army nurse, and General Hoisington, an Army nurse and hospital administrator, broke long-standing gender barriers.
Their promotions reflected evolving attitudes toward women’s roles in the military during the Vietnam War era.
These trailblazers paved the way for future generations of women in uniform.
Their legacies continue to inspire women pursuing careers in military service today.
1970
Richard Nixon
Anna Mae Hays
Elizabeth P. Hoisington
generals
1991day.year
Édith Cresson becomes France's first female Prime Minister.
Édith Cresson became the first female Prime Minister of France on May 15, 1991, breaking a major political barrier.
On May 15, 1991, Édith Cresson was appointed Prime Minister of France by President François Mitterrand.
She was the first woman to hold the office in French history.
Cresson, a member of the Socialist Party, led a government during a period of economic challenges and social reform.
Her tenure focused on European integration, education, and rural development.
Despite facing criticism and controversies, her appointment represented a significant step for gender equality in politics.
Her pioneering role continues to inspire women’s political participation in France and beyond.
1991
Édith Cresson
Prime Minister
1997day.year
The United States government acknowledges the existence of the "Secret War" in Laos and dedicates the Laos Memorial in honor of Hmong and other "Secret War" veterans.
The U.S. government officially acknowledged the Secret War in Laos and dedicated the Laos Memorial on May 15, 1997, honoring Hmong and other veterans.
On May 15, 1997, the U.S. government publicly recognized its covert operations in Laos during the Vietnam War era, known as the Secret War.
A dedication ceremony for the Laos Memorial took place at Arlington National Cemetery.
The memorial honors Hmong and other Special Forces veterans who served in classified missions.
This acknowledgment brought closure to many veterans and their families who had served in secrecy.
The event shed light on a lesser-known chapter of Cold War history.
Annual ceremonies at the memorial reinforce its significance to veterans, historians, and the Hmong community.
1997
"Secret War" in Laos
Laos Memorial
Hmong
2008day.year
California becomes the second U.S. state after Massachusetts in 2004 to legalize same-sex marriage after the state's own Supreme Court rules a previous ban unconstitutional.
California's Supreme Court rules that a ban on same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, making it the second U.S. state to legalize it after Massachusetts.
In 2008, the California Supreme Court ruled that the state's prohibition on same-sex marriage violated the equal protection clause of the California Constitution. This landmark decision overturned existing bans and opened the door for thousands of couples to wed. California became the second U.S. state, following Massachusetts in 2004, to grant marriage rights to same-sex partners. The ruling intensified debates nationwide on marriage equality and civil rights. It prompted immediate excitement among LGBTQ+ communities but also led to political backlash, including the passage of Proposition 8 later that year. The legal battle highlighted tensions between judicial decisions and popular vote. Ultimately, the case set important precedents for future federal and state-level challenges to marriage discrimination. The ruling is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in America's journey toward marriage equality.
2008
California
U.S. state
Massachusetts
2004
same-sex marriage
rules a previous ban unconstitutional