August 15

Events - Nature & Environment

1281day.year

Mongol invasion of Japan: The Mongolian fleet of Kublai Khan is destroyed by a "divine wind" for the second time in the Battle of Kōan.

A 'divine wind' devastates Kublai Khan’s fleet, ending the second Mongol invasion of Japan.
In 1281, the Mongol Yuan dynasty launched its second invasion of Japan.\nKublai Khan’s fleet, comprising thousands of ships, arrived at Hakata Bay in summer.\nJapanese defenders held the shore until a powerful typhoon struck on 15 August.\nThe storm wrecked the Mongol armada, drowning soldiers and scattering vessels.\nKnown as the 'kamikaze,' this event saved Japan from foreign conquest.\nIt became a symbol of divine protection in Japanese culture and legend.
1281 Mongol invasion of Japan Mongolian Kublai Khan divine wind Battle of Kōan
2013day.year

The Smithsonian announces the discovery of the olinguito, the first new carnivorous species found in the Americas in 35 years.

On August 15, 2013, the Smithsonian Institution announced the discovery of the olinguito, a small mammal previously hidden in plain sight. This groundbreaking find was the first new carnivorous mammal species described in the Americas in 35 years.
On August 15, 2013, researchers from the Smithsonian Institution unveiled the olinguito (Bassaricyon neblina), a diminutive, raccoon-related mammal native to Andean cloud forests. This marked the first identification of a new carnivorous mammal species in the Americas since 1978. The olinguito had been misidentified in museum collections for decades before genetic and morphological analyses confirmed its distinct status. With its reddish-brown fur, large eyes, and nocturnal habits, the species captivated scientists and the public alike. The discovery underscored the importance of museum research and biodiversity exploration in revealing hidden species. Conservationists highlighted the find as a call to protect fragile cloud-forest ecosystems. Today, the olinguito serves as a flagship for wildlife preservation in the Andes.
Smithsonian olinguito