August 15
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Armed Forces Day (Poland)
Armed Forces Day in Poland honors the bravery and sacrifice of the Polish military. It marks the anniversary of the 1920 Battle of Warsaw during the Polish-Soviet War. The day is celebrated with parades, ceremonies, and military displays across the country.
Christianfeast day:
Altfrid, Alypius of Thagaste, Feast day of theAssumption of Mary, one of theCatholicholy days of obligation(a public holiday inAustria,Belgium,Benin,Bosnia,Burundi,Cameroon,Chile,Colombia,Croatia,Cyprus,France, some states inGermany,Greece,Guatemala,Italy,Ivory Coast,Lebanon,Liechtenstein,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Madagascar,Malta,Mauritius,Paraguay,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Senegal,Seychelles,Slovenia,Spain,Switzerland,Togo, andVanuatu); and its related observances:Feast of theDormition of the Theotokos(Eastern Orthodox,Oriental OrthodoxandEastern Catholic Churches)Ferragosto(Italy)Lady's Day(Ireland)Māras(Latvia)Mother's Day(AntwerpandCosta Rica)National Acadian Day(Acadians)Navy Day(Romania)Virgin of Candelaria, patron of theCanary Islands. (Tenerife,Spain), San La Muerte(ParaguayanFolk Catholicism), Santa Muerte(MexicanFolk Catholicism), Tarcisius, August 15 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A group of Christian observances held on August 15, most notably the Feast of the Assumption of Mary, celebrated across Catholic and Orthodox traditions. The day also honors saints like Altfrid, Alypius of Thagaste, and Tarcisius. In various cultures, it is known as Ferragosto in Italy and includes folk observances such as Santa Muerte in Mexico.
Constitution Day (Equatorial Guinea)
Constitution Day in Equatorial Guinea commemorates the adoption of the country's constitution. It celebrates the foundation of the nation’s legal and governmental framework. Citizens observe the day with official ceremonies and civic events.
Founding of Asunción(Paraguay)
The Founding of Asunción commemorates the establishment of Paraguay’s capital on August 15, 1537. It honors the arrival of Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar de Espinosa. The day celebrates Asunción’s role as one of South America’s oldest cities.
Independence Day, celebrates the independence ofKoreafromJapanin 1945:
Gwangbokjeol, "Independence Day" (South Korea), Jogukhaebangui nal, "Fatherland Liberation Day" (North Korea)
Independence Day in Korea celebrates liberation from Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. Known as Gwangbokjeol in South Korea and Jogukhaebangui nal in North Korea. The day is marked by patriotic ceremonies, flag-raising, and cultural events.
Independence Day, celebrates the independence ofIndiafrom the United Kingdom in 1947.
India’s Independence Day on August 15 marks the end of British colonial rule in 1947. The day is celebrated with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural programs nationwide. It symbolizes India’s unity and democratic ideals.
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of theRepublic of the Congofrom France in 1960.
Independence Day in the Republic of the Congo commemorates independence from France on August 15, 1960. The nation celebrates with official ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances. It highlights Congolese sovereignty and national pride.
National Day(Liechtenstein)
Liechtenstein’s National Day on August 15 celebrates the principality’s heritage and the feast of the Assumption of Mary. It features speeches by the Prince, fireworks, and community gatherings. The day honors national identity and unity.
National Day of Mourning (Bangladesh)
The National Day of Mourning in Bangladesh commemorates the assassination of the nation’s founding leader on August 15, 1975. It is a day of solemn remembrance and reflection. Citizens observe with memorial services and moments of silence.
Events
Arab–Byzantine wars: The Battle of Yarmouk between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate begins.
In 636, the Rashidun Caliphate delivered a decisive victory over Byzantine forces at the Battle of Yarmouk, securing control of the Levant.
Arab–Byzantine wars: Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik begins the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople, which will last for nearly a year.
Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik launched the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople in 717, aiming to breach the city’s formidable defenses.
Arab–Byzantine wars: Raising of the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople.
Following a protracted blockade, Byzantine defenders lifted the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople in 718, ending the year-long assault.
Carloman, mayor of the palace of Austrasia, renounces his position as majordomo and retires to a monastery near Rome. His brother, Pepin the Short, becomes the sole ruler (de facto) of the Frankish Kingdom.
Carloman abdicated his role as mayor of the palace and retired to a monastery in 747, leaving Pepin the Short as the Frankish realm’s sole ruler.
The Battle of Roncevaux Pass takes place between the army of Charlemagne and a Basque army.
Charlemagne’s rear guard was ambushed and defeated by Basque forces at the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778, later immortalized in epic legend.
Noble Erchana of Dahauua grants the Bavarian town of Dachau to the Diocese of Freising
In 805, Duke Erchana of Bavaria granted the town of Dachau to the Diocese of Freising, expanding ecclesiastical lands and influence.
The Saracens conquer and destroy Taranto.
Saracen forces conquered and destroyed the city of Taranto in 927, dealing a blow to Byzantine power in southern Italy.
Holy Roman Emperor Otto II is defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Capo Colonna, in Calabria.
Holy Roman Emperor Otto II suffered a crushing defeat by Saracen troops at the Battle of Capo Colonna in Calabria in 982.
Byzantine general Eustathios Daphnomeles blinds and captures Ibatzes of Bulgaria by a ruse, thereby ending Bulgarian resistance against Emperor Basil II's conquest of Bulgaria.
General Eustathios Daphnomeles blinded and captured Bulgarian leader Ibatzes in 1018, ending organized resistance to Emperor Basil II.
Births
Teishi
Japanese empress consort of Emperor Go-Suzaku and member of the powerful Fujiwara clan.
Alfonso IX
Medieval King of León and Galicia who reigned from 1188 until 1230 and founded the University of Salamanca.
Anthony of Padua
Portuguese Franciscan friar and Catholic preacher, canonized as Saint Anthony and known as the patron saint of lost items.
Richard de Vere
English nobleman and military commander who served as the 11th Earl of Oxford during the Hundred Years' War.
Luigi Pulci
Italian Renaissance poet best known for his epic satirical poem Morgante.
George
Duke of Bavaria-Landshut from 1479 to 1503 and member of the Wittelsbach dynasty.
George III
German prince of the House of Ascania who ruled Anhalt-Dessau in the early 16th century.
Bartol Kašić
Croatian Jesuit priest and linguist who authored the first grammar of the Croatian language.
Gabriel Báthory
Prince of Transylvania from 1608 until his assassination in 1613.
Deaths
Lan Han
A high-ranking official in the Later Yan dynasty, serving under the Xianbei rulers during a period of political fragmentation in northern China.
Honorius
Western Roman Emperor from 395 to 423, whose reign saw the sack of Rome and the decline of imperial authority.
Libius Severus
Roman Emperor from 461 to 465, who reigned as a puppet of the powerful general Ricimer.
Theodotus of Amida
A 7th-century Syrian Orthodox holy man celebrated for his ascetic lifestyle and spiritual guidance.
Abu Hanifa
Islamic scholar and educator, founder of the Hanafi school of Sunni jurisprudence.
Roland
Legendary Frankish military leader and paladin under Charlemagne, immortalized in medieval epic poetry.
Yi Zong
Emperor of the Tang dynasty from 859 to 873, known for patronizing the arts and struggling with eunuch dominance.
Altfrid
Bishop of Hildesheim in the 9th century, founder of monasteries and promoter of church reforms in Saxony.
Han Jian
Late Tang dynasty warlord who governed the Zhenguo region with de facto autonomy before his death.