June 15

The recorded eclipse of June 15, 763 BC, by Assyrian scribes at Nineveh was meticulously documented on cuneiform tablets. This astronomical observation later allowed modern scholars to synchronize Mesopotamian regnal lists with absolute dates. By calculating the celestial event's precise timing, historians could align the reigns of kings and major historical events. The account demonstrates the advanced astronomical knowledge of the Assyrians. It remains one of the earliest scientific observations used for chronological calibration. The eclipse record also highlights the importance of celestial phenomena in ancient Near Eastern culture and royal propaganda.

On June 15, 1919, British aviators John Alcock and Arthur Brown departed from St. John's, Newfoundland in a modified Vickers Vimy bomber. They battled freezing temperatures, thick fog, and mechanical failures throughout the 1,900-mile journey. After more than 16 hours in the air, they crash-landed in a bog near Clifden, County Galway due to a faulty altimeter. Miraculously, both pilots emerged unscathed and claimed a £10,000 prize offered by the Daily Mail. Their daring achievement demonstrated the feasibility of transatlantic air travel and ushered in a new era of commercial aviation.