1556day.year
Departing from Vlissingen, ex-Holy Roman Emperor Charles V returns to Spain.
In 1556, former Holy Roman Emperor Charles V departed Vlissingen to return to Spain, ending his reign.
After abdicating his imperial titles earlier in 1556, Charles V embarked from Vlissingen in the Spanish Netherlands bound for his remaining realms in Spain. The voyage marked the conclusion of an emperor’s storied advocacy for imperial unity across Europe. Charles’s abdication and departure signaled a major shift in Habsburg dynastic politics, dividing control between his brother Ferdinand and his son Philip II. His return to Spain set the stage for the height of Spanish power under Philip’s rule. The journey from Vlissingen remains emblematic of the end of an era in European monarchy.
1556
Vlissingen
Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V
Spain
1789day.year
The United States "Department of Foreign Affairs", established by law in July, is renamed the Department of State and given a variety of domestic duties.
The US Department of Foreign Affairs was renamed the Department of State and given domestic duties in 1789.
Established only weeks earlier to handle the fledgling nation’s international relations, the Department of Foreign Affairs underwent a significant transformation on September 15, 1789. Congress passed legislation renaming it the Department of State and expanded its responsibilities to include domestic administrative tasks. The new Department became the first executive department in United States history, laying foundations for cabinet government. Its broadened duties included managing the Great Seal of the United States and overseeing various federal records. This reorganization marked a crucial step in structuring the executive branch under President George Washington.
1789
Department of State
1820day.year
Constitutionalist revolution in Lisbon, Portugal.
The 1820 liberal revolution in Lisbon saw Portuguese patriots seize control to demand a constitution and limit the monarchy’s power.
In 1820, amid growing discontent over economic hardships and military defeats, Portuguese officers and civilians staged a liberal revolution in Lisbon. On September 15, they seized key government buildings and formed a provisional junta demanding a constitution. This movement, led by military heroes returning from Brazil, forced King John VI to accept the principle of constitutional rule. The revolution marked the beginning of Portugal’s transition from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. Over the next two years, delegates drafted and promulgated the Constitution of 1822, one of Europe’s earliest liberal charters. The uprising inspired liberal movements across the Iberian Peninsula and Latin America.
1820
Constitutionalist revolution
Lisbon
1821day.year
The Captaincy General of Guatemala declares independence from Spain.
The Captaincy General of Guatemala declared its independence from Spain in 1821, igniting the birth of Central American autonomy.
On September 15, 1821, the Central American provinces under the Captaincy General of Guatemala declared independence from Spain. Inspired by revolutions in Mexico and South America, local leaders convened the Guatemala City council to proclaim autonomy. The move ended three centuries of Spanish colonial rule in the region and paved the way for the Federal Republic of Central America. Celebrations erupted in the streets as citizens embraced the promise of self-governance. However, regional rivalries soon tested the unity of the new federation. Nonetheless, the declaration remains a key milestone in Central American history and is celebrated in Guatemala as its Independence Day.
1821
Captaincy General of Guatemala
declares independence
Spain
1935day.year
Nazi Germany adopts a new national flag bearing the swastika.
Nazi Germany officially adopted the swastika flag as its national symbol in 1935.
On September 15, 1935, Adolf Hitler's regime officially adopted a new national flag bearing the black swastika on a red and white field.
The design replaced the Weimar Republic’s tricolor, cementing Nazi ideology as the state’s visual identity.
The swastika flag became ubiquitous at rallies, government buildings, and military parades throughout the Third Reich.
Its adoption was part of broader Nazi propaganda efforts to unify and radicalize the German population.
The flag remained a potent symbol of Nazi power until the end of World War II in 1945.
1935
Nazi Germany
national flag
swastika
1944day.year
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill meet in Quebec as part of the Octagon Conference to discuss strategy.
President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill met in Quebec for the Octagon Conference to plan World War II strategy in 1944.
Between September 12 and 16, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill met in Quebec City for the Octagon Conference.
They reviewed the progress of Allied forces in Italy and Western Europe and discussed postwar occupation plans.
The leaders also planned coordination with the Soviet Union and debated strategies for the final push against Nazi Germany.
Discussions included logistical support, air and naval deployments, and the forthcoming operations in the Pacific.
The conference strengthened Allied unity and informed decisions leading to the end of World War II.
1944
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Winston Churchill
Quebec
Octagon Conference
1952day.year
The United Nations cedes Eritrea to Ethiopia.
In 1952, the United Nations formally placed Eritrea under Ethiopian administration, reshaping East Africa’s political map.
On September 15, 1952, the UN approved the federation of Eritrea with Ethiopia under Resolution 390.
The agreement granted Eritrea nominal autonomy while ceding foreign affairs to Addis Ababa.
Many Eritreans felt betrayed, sowing seeds of dissent and future conflict.
The arrangement set the stage for a 30-year Eritrean struggle for independence.
This pivotal decision by the UN influenced regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa for decades.
1952
United Nations
Eritrea
Ethiopia
1959day.year
Nikita Khrushchev becomes the first Soviet leader to visit the United States.
On September 15, 1959, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, engaging in landmark Cold War diplomacy.
Khrushchev arrived in Washington, D.C., marking a historic thaw in U.S.–Soviet relations.
He held talks with President Eisenhower and toured American industrial facilities.
The visit featured the famous ‘kitchen debate’ with Vice President Nixon on technology and ideology.
Although ideological tensions remained, both sides sought to establish direct communication channels.
Khrushchev’s trip opened the door to future summits and eased nuclear brinkmanship.
1959
Nikita Khrushchev
Soviet
1966day.year
U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson, responding to a sniper attack at the University of Texas at Austin, writes a letter to Congress urging the enactment of gun control legislation.
Responding to the University of Texas sniper attack, President Lyndon B. Johnson urged Congress on September 15, 1966, to pass federal gun control legislation.
A lone gunman opened fire from the UT Austin clock tower, killing 16 people and wounding 31.
In response, President Johnson wrote to Congress advocating for stricter licensing and background checks.
He emphasized the need to prevent future tragedies and protect American communities.
The letter laid groundwork for the Gun Control Act of 1968, the first major federal firearms law since 1934.
Johnson’s appeal marked a pivotal moment in the national debate over gun regulation.
1966
Lyndon B. Johnson
sniper attack
University of Texas at Austin
Congress
gun control
1975day.year
The French department of "Corse" (the entire island of Corsica) is divided into two: Haute-Corse (Upper Corsica) and Corse-du-Sud (Southern Corsica).
Corsica's single department is split into Haute-Corse and Corse-du-Sud.
On September 15, 1975, the French government reorganized the territorial administration of Corsica.
The single department of Corse was split into two new entities: Haute-Corse (Upper Corsica) and Corse-du-Sud (Southern Corsica).
Each department established its own prefecture to better serve local populations across the island.
The reform aimed to improve administrative efficiency and address regional needs more effectively.
These two departments remain the foundation of Corsica's political structure today.
1975
department
Corse
Corsica
Haute-Corse
Corse-du-Sud
1981day.year
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approves Sandra Day O'Connor to become the first female justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Sandra Day O'Connor is unanimously approved as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
On September 15, 1981, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to approve Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination.
President Ronald Reagan had selected her as the first female justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
Committee members praised her legal acumen, moderate jurisprudence, and commitment to the Constitution.
Her confirmation marked a milestone for gender equality in the American judiciary.
O'Connor would go on to serve on the Court for almost a quarter century.
1981
Senate Judiciary Committee
Sandra Day O'Connor
Supreme Court of the United States
1983day.year
Israeli premier Menachem Begin resigns.
Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin resigns from office.
On September 15, 1983, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin announced his resignation from office.
Begin cited health concerns and personal reasons following a challenging term in leadership.
His tenure included landmark achievements such as the 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty.
The resignation led to Shimon Peres serving as acting prime minister during the transition.
Begin's departure marked a significant shift in Israel's political landscape.
1983
Israeli
premier
Menachem Begin