November 15

Events

655day.year

Battle of the Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria.

A pivotal battle in 655 where King Oswiu of Northumbria defeats King Penda of Mercia at the Winwaed, reshaping early English power dynamics.
In 655, the Battle of the Winwaed saw King Oswiu of Northumbria confront and defeat the pagan King Penda of Mercia near the banks of the River Winwaed. This conflict marked a turning point in the struggle for dominance among the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of early medieval Britain. Penda had long resisted Christian expansion, while Oswiu sought to solidify his influence and faith. The battle’s outcome led to Mercia’s temporary submission and shifted power to Northumbria. Many historians regard this clash as pivotal in the Christianization of the region. After his victory, Oswiu convened church councils to strengthen the church’s role. Despite the victory, political tensions continued among the remaining kingdoms. The legacy of Winwaed influenced the future unification efforts in England.
655 Battle of the Winwaed Penda of Mercia Oswiu of Northumbria
1315day.year

Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy: The Schweizer Eidgenossenschaft ambushes the army of Leopold I in the Battle of Morgarten.

In 1315, Swiss Confederate forces ambush and defeat Duke Leopold I’s army at Morgarten, strengthening Swiss unity.
On November 15, 1315, the Swiss cantons achieved a remarkable victory at the Battle of Morgarten against the troops of Duke Leopold I of Austria. A small force of Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden ambushed Leopold I’s heavily armored knights in the narrow mountain pass. Utilizing terrain advantage and surprise, the Confederates threw logs and stones from the slopes, routing the invaders. This triumph bolstered the confederate alliance and became a symbol of Swiss independence. It discouraged further Habsburg incursions for decades. The battle’s success fostered unity among the rural mountain communities. Chroniclers later celebrated Morgarten as the foundation of Swiss military tradition. The legacy of this surprise assault endures in Swiss national identity.
1315 Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy Eidgenossenschaft Leopold I Battle of Morgarten
1532day.year

Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire: Commanded by Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conquistadors under Hernando de Soto meet Incan Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca, arranging for a meeting in the city plaza the following day.

Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro meet Inca Emperor Atahualpa for the first time outside Cajamarca in 1532, setting the stage for the conquest of the Inca Empire.
In late 1532, Francisco Pizarro’s expedition encountered the Inca Emperor Atahualpa near Cajamarca, marking the first meeting between Spaniards and the powerful Inca ruler. Hernando de Soto and other conquistadors arranged a parlay in the city’s plaza, under the guise of peaceful negotiation. Despite the cordial facade, tensions ran high as Pizarro sought to capture Atahualpa and claim the empire’s vast riches. The meeting laid groundwork for the subsequent ambush and ransom; Atahualpa was taken prisoner soon after. This event triggered the collapse of Inca political structures and accelerated Spanish colonization of South America. The encounter in Cajamarca remains a stark example of cultural clash and conquest. It symbolizes the beginning of the end for one of the New World’s greatest empires.
1532 Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire Francisco Pizarro conquistadors Hernando de Soto Incan Emperor Atahualpa Cajamarca city plaza the following day
1533day.year

Francisco Pizarro arrives in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.

In 1533, Francisco Pizarro reaches Cuzco, the heart of the Inca Empire, following the capture of Atahualpa, signaling a seismic shift in Andean history.
After securing control of Atahualpa, Pizarro and his forces advanced to Cuzco, arriving on November 15, 1533. The Spanish entered the city, finding it largely deserted as the Inca nobility had fled. They claimed the Incan capital, looting treasures and dismantling its political structures. Pizarro’s occupation of Cuzco cemented Spanish dominance over the empire’s administrative center. Local resistance continued, but the fall of Cuzco dealt a devastating blow to Inca morale. The event accelerated the Spanish consolidation of power in the Andes. Pizarro installed a puppet ruler, undermining Inca sovereignty. Cuzco’s transformation foreshadowed centuries of colonial rule in South America.
1533 Francisco Pizarro Cuzco Inca Empire
1705day.year

Rákóczi's War of Independence: The Habsburg Empire and Denmark win a military victory over the Kurucs from Hungary in the Battle of Zsibó.

During Rákóczi’s War of Independence, Habsburg and Danish forces defeat Hungarian Kuruc rebels at the Battle of Zsibó in 1705.
On November 15, 1705, imperial Habsburg troops, aided by Danish contingents, clashed with Hungarian Kuruc rebels at Zsibó (modern Jibou, Romania). The battle resulted in a decisive victory for the Habsburg-Danish alliance, forcing the Kurucs into retreat. This engagement was part of Francis II Rákóczi’s broader struggle to secure Hungarian independence from Habsburg rule. The defeat at Zsibó weakened the Kuruc army’s momentum and strained their supply lines. It allowed imperial forces to regain control over Transylvanian territories. Despite setbacks, Rákóczi continued to rally support for his cause. The battle illustrated the complexities of early 18th-century Central European conflicts. Today, Zsibó remains a symbol of Hungarian resistance and imperial power struggles.
1705 Rákóczi's War of Independence Kurucs Hungary Battle of Zsibó
1760day.year

The secondly-built Castellania in Valletta is officially inaugurated with the blessing of the interior Chapel of Sorrows.

The Castellania, Malta’s historic courthouse in Valletta, is officially inaugurated in 1760, highlighting Baroque architecture and judicial heritage.
On November 15, 1760, the newly rebuilt Castellania in Valletta was officially opened, featuring the Chapel of Sorrows in its interior courtyard. Commissioned by the Knights of St. John, this building served as the principal courthouse and administrative center of the Order. Designed in the Baroque style, its ornate facade and grand halls showcased the artistic and judicial ambitions of the period. The Chapel’s blessing underscored the blend of faith and law in Maltese society. Over time, the Castellania became a landmark of Valletta’s urban landscape. It symbolized the centralized authority of the Knights and the island’s governance. Today, the building stands as a testament to Malta’s rich architectural and legal history.
1760 Castellania Valletta
1777day.year

American Revolutionary War: After 16 months of debate the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation.

After extensive debate, the Continental Congress approves the Articles of Confederation in 1777, forming the first constitution of the United States.
On November 15, 1777, the Continental Congress unanimously approved the Articles of Confederation, establishing America’s first national government framework. Drafted over sixteen months, the Articles aimed to coordinate defense, manage western lands, and regulate foreign affairs. Though granting significant autonomy to individual states, the document created a Congress with limited powers, reflecting colonial fears of centralized tyranny. The approval signaled a key step in consolidating the Thirteen Colonies during the Revolutionary War. Ratification by all states would take until 1781, influencing the future U.S. Constitution. The Articles’ weaknesses, such as lack of taxation authority, exposed challenges in early governance. Nonetheless, they laid the groundwork for American federalism and legal precedent.
1777 American Revolutionary War Continental Congress Articles of Confederation
1806day.year

Pike Expedition: Lieutenant Zebulon Pike spots a mountain peak while near the Colorado foothills of the Rocky Mountains. It is later named Pikes Peak in his honor.

During his 1806 expedition, Lieutenant Zebulon Pike sights a towering mountain peak near present-day Colorado, later named Pikes Peak.
On November 15, 1806, American explorer Lieutenant Zebulon Pike observed an imposing mountain in the southern Rocky Mountains during his expedition. Lacking precise location data, Pike noted the peak’s majestic presence but failed to reach its summit. The feature would later be named Pikes Peak in his honor. This sighting contributed to U.S. exploration efforts following the Louisiana Purchase. Pike’s journals spurred interest in the western frontier, attracting settlers and adventurers. The mountain became an iconic symbol of westward expansion and the American spirit. Today, Pikes Peak overlooks Colorado Springs and remains a popular destination. Its discovery marked a significant moment in mapping the American West.
1806 Pike Expedition Zebulon Pike Colorado Rocky Mountains Pikes Peak
1842day.year

A slave revolt in the Cherokee Nation commences.

In 1842, a group of enslaved people launches a revolt within the Cherokee Nation, challenging oppression and highlighting tensions in frontier societies.
In 1842, enslaved individuals belonging to Cherokee slaveholders initiated a revolt in the Cherokee Nation, located in present-day Oklahoma. Motivated by harsh conditions and inspired by broader abolitionist sentiments, the rebels sought freedom and justice. The uprising revealed the complex dynamics of slavery in Native American societies. Cherokee authorities, fearing loss of order, quickly suppressed the revolt with local militia assistance. Several participants were captured and punished, sending a stern message to other enslaved people. The event underscored contradictions between Cherokee sovereignty and the practice of slavery. It also contributed to ongoing debates over Native American removal and U.S. Indian policy. The revolt remains a stirring yet often overlooked chapter in American history.
1842 slave revolt in the Cherokee Nation
1849day.year

Boilers of the steamboat Louisiana explode as she pulls back from the dock in New Orleans, killing more than 150 people.

The boilers of the steamboat Louisiana explode in New Orleans in 1849, killing over 150 passengers and highlighting the dangers of early steam travel.
On November 15, 1849, the steamboat Louisiana suffered a catastrophic boiler explosion as it pulled away from a New Orleans dock. The blast destroyed the vessel’s midsection, sending debris and scalding steam across the crowded riverfront. More than 150 people lost their lives, making it one of the deadliest steamship disasters of the era. Public outrage prompted calls for stricter safety regulations on river vessels. This tragedy accelerated the development of improved boiler designs and inspection protocols. Steamboat accidents were common but rarely produced such high casualty numbers. The Louisiana disaster remains a sobering reminder of the perils of 19th-century transportation. It played a crucial role in shaping maritime safety standards.
1849 Boilers Louisiana New Orleans
1864day.year

American Civil War: Union General William Tecumseh Sherman begins his March to the Sea.

In late 1864, Union General William Tecumseh Sherman launched his celebrated 'March to the Sea'. Over a period of weeks, Sherman's forces cut a swath through Georgia, undermining the Confederacy's war effort.
In November 1864, General William Tecumseh Sherman commenced the famed 'March to the Sea', a bold maneuver deep into Confederate territory. Sherman led approximately 60,000 Union troops from Atlanta, aiming to cripple the South's logistical capabilities and morale. The campaign emphasized total war tactics, targeting not only military forces but also infrastructure, supplies, and civilian property. Troops destroyed railways, confiscated crops, and disrupted communication lines, showcasing the North's industrial superiority. This relentless advance demoralized the Confederacy and hastened the end of the American Civil War. The march remains a subject of historical debate for its harsh impact on Southern civilians.
1864 American Civil War William Tecumseh Sherman March to the Sea
1884day.year

The Berlin Conference of 1884–1885 met on 15 November 1884, and after an adjournment concluded on 26 February 1885, with the signature of a General Act, regulating the European colonisation and trade in Africa during the New Imperialism period.

The Berlin Conference began, setting rules for European colonization and trade in Africa. This landmark diplomatic meeting shaped the 'Scramble for Africa' and redrew the continent's map.
On 15 November 1884, major European powers convened in Berlin to discuss the partition and administration of Africa, inaugurating the Berlin Conference. The gathering, orchestrated by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, included representatives from 14 nations, but no African leaders. Over several months, delegates negotiated territorial claims, navigation rights on the Congo and Niger rivers, and regulations for trade. The resulting General Act formalized the 'principle of effective occupation', compelling powers to establish colonial administration to legitimize claims. By February 1885, the agreement accelerated imperial rivalry, leading to the carving up of nearly the entire continent by European empires. This conference had profound consequences for African societies, disrupting traditional boundaries and laying foundations for future conflicts.
1884 Berlin Conference