September 15

Events - Science & Technology

1835day.year

HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, reaches the Galápagos Islands. The ship lands at Chatham or San Cristobal, the easternmost of the archipelago.

Charles Darwin’s voyage on HMS Beagle reached the Galápagos in 1835, where his observations of unique species fueled his theory of evolution.
On September 15, 1835, HMS Beagle, carrying naturalist Charles Darwin, anchored at Chatham Island in the Galápagos archipelago. Over the following weeks, Darwin explored nearby islands, observing giant tortoises, finches, and other unique wildlife. He meticulously recorded variations among species that seemed adapted to distinct environments. These observations later formed the empirical basis for his groundbreaking theory of natural selection. The Galápagos visit marks one of the most famous field studies in the history of science. Darwin’s insights from this expedition revolutionized our understanding of evolution and biodiversity. The voyage of the Beagle remains a landmark in scientific discovery.
1835 HMS Beagle Charles Darwin Galápagos Islands San Cristobal
1948day.year

The F-86 Sabre sets the world aircraft speed record at 671 miles per hour (1,080 km/h).

The North American F-86 Sabre set a new world airspeed record of 671 mph (1,080 km/h) on September 15, 1948.
On this day in 1948, a USAF F-86 Sabre fighter jet soared to 671 miles per hour, establishing a new world speed record. Piloted by a U.S. Air Force test team, the jet demonstrated the dawn of the jet age’s potential. This achievement underscored rapid advances in jet propulsion and swept-wing design after World War II. The record highlighted the F-86’s superiority as a frontline fighter during the early Cold War. It paved the way for further developments in supersonic aircraft in the 1950s and beyond. The milestone captured global attention as nations raced to push aviation boundaries.
F-86 Sabre world aircraft speed record
1968day.year

The Soviet Zond 5 spaceship is launched, becoming the first spacecraft to fly around the Moon and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.

Soviet Zond 5 becomes the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth.
Zond 5 was launched by the Soviet Union on September 15, 1968, aboard the Proton rocket. The mission marked the first circumlunar flight by a spacecraft, successfully orbiting and photographing the Moon's far side. It carried biological specimens, including tortoises and insects, to study the effects of deep-space radiation. After completing its lunar trajectory, Zond 5 re-entered Earth's atmosphere and landed safely in the Indian Ocean on September 21. This historic flight provided crucial data for the eventual crewed lunar missions of the Apollo program.
1968 Soviet Zond 5 Moon