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April 15 in History: Titanic Sinks, Jackie Robinson Debuts, and McDonald’s Opens

Scott Winters April 15, 2026 1 Comment

Discover what happened on April 15 in history, along with notable events that shaped tragedy, sports, and business.

What Happened on April 15 in History?

From one of the deadliest maritime disasters to a historic breakthrough in baseball and the start of a fast-food empire, April 15 marks events that changed lives and culture.

APRIL 15 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1817 – The first American school for the deaf was opened in Hartford, CT.

1850 – The city of San Francisco, CA was incorporated.

1865 – President Abraham Lincoln died from injuries inflicted by John Wilkes Booth.

1871 – “Wild Bill” Hickok became the marshal of Abilene, KS.

1892 – The General Electric Company was organized.

1899 – Thomas Edison organized the Edison Portland Cement Company.

1911 – The Detroit Tigers played baseball in a blizzard. Players were making base hits because the ball was getting lost in the snow. The game was finally called when players could no longer see the pitcher when they stepped up to the plate.

1912 – The ocean liner Titanic sank in the North Atlantic at 2:20 am, two hours and forty minutes after hitting an iceberg the evening before. 1,517 people died and only 710 people survived.

1923 – Insulin became generally available for people suffering with diabetes.

1924 – Rand McNally published their first road atlas.

1927 – Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were the first stars to leave their footprints in cement at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, CA.

1934 – In the comic strip “Blondie,” Dagwood and Blondie Bumstead welcomed a baby boy, Alexander. The child would be nicknamed, Baby Dumpling.

1947 – Jackie Robinson became the first African American player to appear in a regular season Major League baseball game. Playing first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers, he went hitless but scored the winning run in a 5-3 victory over the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field.

1952 – The first B-52 prototype was tested in the air.

1955 – Ray Kroc opened his first franchised McDonald’s restaurant in Des Plaines, IL.

1956 – The worlds’ first, all-color TV station was dedicated. It was WNBQ-TV in Chicago, IL and is now WMAQ-TV.

1956 – General Motors announced that the first free piston automobile had been developed.

1964 – The first Ford Mustang rolled off the showroom floor, two days before it was set to go on sale nationwide.

1967 – Richard Speck was found guilty of murdering eight student nurses.

1974 – Patty Hearst robbed a bank with her kidnappers, members of the Symbionese Liberation Army.

1982 – Billy Joel was seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident on Long Island, New York. He went to the hospital and stayed for over a month undergoing therapy on his injured hand.

1983 – The film “Flashdance”, starring Jennifer Beals, opened in a movie theaters throughout the United States.

1983 – In Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, the Tokyo Disneyland theme park opened.

1990 – Fox TV debuted a new sketch comedy show called “In Living Color”. It starred Keenen Ivory Wayans along with his youngest brother Damon.

1994 – The World Trade Organization was established.

1997 – Christopher Reeve received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2007 – Donald Trump topped the Boston Phoenix’s annual list of “The 100 Unsexiest Men in America.”

2010 – In Prospect Harbor, ME, the Stinson Seafood plant stopped sardine processing after 135 years in operation.

2013 – Two pressure cooker bombs were detonated near the finish line of the Boston marathon in Boston, MA, killing three and injuring 264 others. The attack, which led to a lock-down and a massive four day manhunt across the city, turned out to be the work of the Tsarnaev brothers, Chechen immigrants holding radical Muslim views.

2014 – A total lunar eclipse occurred, producing a Blood Moon.

2019 – The cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris in France was seriously damaged by a large fire.

2020 – Armed demonstrators took to the Michigan State Capitol in “Operation Gridlock” to protest Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s COVID-19 “Stay at Home” orders.

2021 – A mass shooting occurred at a the Fedex Ground facility in Indianapolis, IN. Nine people were killed and seven were injured.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON APRIL 15:

Howard Berman – 85 years old (1941) – Lawyer and politician

Robert Lefkowitz – 83 years old (1943) – Physician and biochemist, Nobel Prize laureate

Pete Rouse – 80 years old (1946) – Politician, White House Chief of Staff

Linda Bloodworth-Thomason – 79 years old (1947) – Screenwriter and producer

Lois Chiles – 79 years old (1947) – Model and actress

Amy Wright – 76 years old (1950) – Actress

Heloise – 75 years old (1951) – Journalist and author

John L. Phillips – 75 years old (1951) – Captain and astronaut

Marsha Ivins – 75 years old (1951) – Engineer and astronaut

Avital Ronell – 74 years old (1952) – Czech-American philosopher and academic

Michael Cooper – 70 years old (1956) – Basketball player and coach

Evelyn Ashford – 69 years old (1957) – Runner and coach

Carol W. Greider – 65 years old (1961) – Molecular biologist

Dawn Wright – 65 years old (1961) – Geographer and oceanographer

Tom Kane – 64 years old (1962) – Voice actor

Linda Perry – 61 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter, musician and record producer

Kevin Stevens – 61 years old (1965) – Ice hockey player

Dara Torres – 59 years old (1967) – Swimmer and journalist

Jeromy Burnitz – 57 years old (1969) – Baseball player

Chris Huffins – 56 years old (1970) – Decathlete and coach

Jason Sehorn – 55 years old (1971) – Football player

Lou Romano – 54 years old (1972) – Animator and voice actor

Danny Pino – 52 years old (1974) – Actor and screenwriter

Mike Quinn – 52 years old (1974) – Football player

Douglas Spain – 52 years old (1974) – Actor, director, and producer

Tim Thomas – 52 years old (1974) – Ice hockey player

Sarah Teichmann – 51 years old (1975) – German-American biophysicist and immunologist

Brian Pothier – 49 years old (1977) – Ice hockey player

Milton Bradley – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Tim Corcoran – 48 years old (1978) – Baseball player

Luis Fonsi – 48 years old (1978) – Puerto Rican-American singer-songwriter and dancer

Chris Stapleton – 48 years old (1978) – Country singer-songwriter and guitarist

Patrick Carney – 46 years old (1980) – Drummer, musician, and producer

Billy Yates – 46 years old (1980) – Football player

Michael Aubrey – 44 years old (1982) – Baseball player

Anthony Green – 44 years old (1982) – Singer-songwriter

Seth Rogen – 44 years old (1982) – Canadian-American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter

Antonio Cromartie – 42 years old (1984) – Football player

Cam Janssen – 42 years old (1984) – Ice hockey player

Chris Tillman – 38 years old (1988) – Baseball pitcher

Sexyy Red – 28 years old (1998) – Rapper

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR APRIL 15:

National Laundry Day: Simplified daily chores, washing garments with ease, bringing freshness to fabrics, and maintaining a neat, vibrant wardrobe effortlessly.
International Microvolunteering Day: Not everyone has the time to volunteer regularly, or perform large acts of service. But microvolunteering allows you to give back anyway.
One Boston Day: One Boston Day is about turning pain into something powerful. It started as a way for the city to come together after a terrible event, but it’s grown into much more. Now, it's a day where kindness takes the lead. People help each other not just to be nice, but...
Father Damien Day: Father Damien Day honors a life that reads like a blueprint for practical compassion. It remembers a Belgian priest who stepped away from an ordinary ministry and chose to live among people affected by Hansen’s disease who had been separated from the wider community. The focus is not on grand...
Jackie Robinson Day: Every year on April 15, Major League Baseball observes Jackie Robinson Day, marking the anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the modern-era color barrier in Major League Baseball in 1947. It is both a baseball-wide tribute and a bigger cultural pause to remember what it costs to change an institution from...
Youth Homelessness Matters Day: Youth Homelessness Matters Day draws attention to something often overlooked—young people without a stable place to live. Many face uncertain nights, staying with friends, in shelters, or in places not meant for living. This day speaks up for them, reminding us that they deserve more than just getting by. They...
McDonald’s Day: Every year on this day, McDonald's fans mark a special day known as McDonald's Day. It commemorates the opening of Ray Kroc's first McDonald’s franchised restaurant in Des Plaines, Illinois, back in 1955. It's a day filled with nostalgia and appreciation for one of the world's largest fast-food chains. McDonald's Day isn't...
Canadian Film Day: Canadian Film Day is a vibrant celebration of the nation’s rich cinematic culture. It spotlights the creativity and talent of Canadian filmmakers and offers audiences a chance to explore a diverse array of stories and voices. This special day highlights the unique perspectives that Canadian films bring to the global stage...
National ASL Day: Over 450 million people around the world cannot hear spoken word. Learn ASL (American Sign Language) to engage with a whole new group of people and opportunities.
Tax Day: It's that time of year when you report your earnings to the government. Don't forget to fill out the necessary paperwork and get the most out of your deductions!
Type 1 Diabetes Day in Honor of Jakya Monique Furtick: Type 1 Diabetes Day in Honor of Jakya Monique Furtick shines a light on a fight many don’t see. Jakya was a young girl full of energy and love, taken too soon by a condition that often hides in plain sight. Type 1 diabetes means the body can’t make insulin...
National Anime Day: Attend a convention, connect with fellow fans, or simply enjoy your favorite anime to honor the ever-popular form of media that first originated in Japan.
National Take A Wild Guess Day: How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? Have a little fun and hone your deduction skills by following your gut on Take A Wild Guess Day.
National Griper’s Day: National Griper’s Day is a playful occasion that invites anyone who loves to complain a chance to speak up. It’s a day when gripers get the spotlight, not as chronic downers, but as people with a sharp eye for the little irritations that most folks quietly swallow. Friends, coworkers, or family...
National Banana Day: Orange you glad I didn’t say banana? Enjoy some banana based treat like banana bread, a banana split, or even banana punch, and tell some terrible jokes.
Purple Up! Day: Celebrating unity and support by donning purple in solidarity with children whose parents serve in the military.
Universal Day of Culture: Embrace the beauty of a world that is diverse and varied, filled with unique art, music, foods, dances and so many other customs and practices! Universal Day of Culture is here to celebrate the protection and preservation of culture and heritage through art and artifacts. How to Celebrate Universal Day of...
Titanic Remembrance Day: Songs have been sung. Books have been written. Films have been made. And stories have been told about the RMS Titanic.
National Rubber Eraser Day: Precision in errors, these small tools quietly correct, leaving traces of lessons learned in graphite whispers.
World Art Day: Expressing emotions through colors and shapes, art captures the essence of life, sparking emotions and fostering connection without words.
National Glazed Spiral Ham Day: Savoring the succulence of glazed spiral ham, a delicious delight with caramelized sweetness and savory perfection.
National That Sucks! Day: You can’t be cheery and optimistic every day. Sometimes, it really does just suck: that’s the point of National Suck Day, a time when you don’t have to pretend.
National Dog Bite Prevention Week: It is hard to think something as loyal as a dog could ever harm someone. But even the sweetest pup may react when afraid or stressed. National Dog Bite Prevention Week brings this truth into focus. It reminds people that bites often come from everyday situations—startling a dog, grabbing its toy...
Money Smart Week: Being smart with money isn't just about saving; it's also about making informed decisions and enjoying the process. Money Smart Week offers the perfect opportunity to dive into financial literacy and reconsider financial habits. In its essence, Money Smart Week is a lively event held annually to boost financial literacy...
Discover National Parks Fortnight: Discover National Parks Fortnight invites everyone to join in on an adventure - exploring the stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity of national parks. This fantastic outdoor-themed event spans two weeks each year. This period is the ideal opportunity to reconnect with the great outdoors and appreciate the environmental treasures within...
FOP Awareness Month: Raising awareness for a rare condition, efforts unite to support those facing the challenges of Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week: From 9-1-1 emergency call operators and alarm systems to answering other non-emergency forms of communication such as texts, emails and social media contacts, public safety telecommunicators have a lot on the line every day when they show up for work! As technology rapidly advances and evolves, so do the opportunities for...
Global Days of Action on Military Spending: The Global Days of Action on Military Spending is a lively global campaign that invites people everywhere to rethink how public funds are used. It urges governments to shift resources from arms to real security, like health, education, and clean energy. When new military spending data arrives, advocates use the moment...
National Green Week: National Green Week is an exciting initiative that brings attention to the importance of environmental sustainability. Schools and organizations across the country use this week to engage students in activities that promote greener living. The event aims to inspire young minds to adopt eco-friendly habits that can make a lasting...
Cambodian New Year: Cambodian New Year, also known as Khmer New Year or Chol Chnam Thmay, is a lively and colorful celebration marking the end of the harvest season and the start of a new year. It's a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and community festivities. The holiday is crucial for Cambodian...
World Music Therapy Week: Helping people of all ages accomplish individualized goals, music therapy is a healthcare process that can take all sorts of forms based on the needs of the client. Approaches might include making music, listening to music, writing songs, improvisation, group discussion, or even meditation. Trained therapists use different forms of...
Hate Week: Hate Week acts as a mass event in George Orwell’s novel 1984. Citizens gather for parades, rallies, and propaganda shows. Party speakers whip crowds into fierce emotion. They scream slogans and chant new songs. That energy binds them together. It channels collective anger toward whichever enemy the state targets. A sudden...
Songkran Festival: Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year festival, is a vibrant celebration filled with energy and joy. It’s famous for its water-splashing activities, where people playfully drench each other in the streets using buckets, hoses, and water guns. This act symbolizes a fresh start and the washing away of misfortune, allowing everyone...