December 15: What Happened on This Day in History
December 15th marks the 349th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 350th in case of leap years). There are 16 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on December 15th in history, famous birthdays on December 15th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to December 15.
What happened on December 15?
Here's what happened on December 15th in history:
- 2021: The Sudanese Armed Forces declared full control of the disputed Al Fushqa District following intense clashes with Ethiopian forces in the border region, highlighting ongoing territorial tensions between the two countries.
- 2014: A deadly fire at a karaoke venue in Henan Province, China, claimed the lives of at least 11 people, raising concerns about fire safety in entertainment establishments.
- 2008: Siemens, a major European engineering firm, pleaded guilty to extensive bribery and corruption charges. The company agreed to pay substantial fines totaling approximately US$1.34 billion across the United States and Germany, representing one of the largest corporate corruption settlements of its time.
- 2002: The Capital Center, formerly the US Airways Arena, has been demolished.
- 2000: A Norwegian freighter ran aground off the city of Haugesund, Norway, causing a significant environmental incident by spilling approximately 116,000 litres of fuel oil. Immediate coastal contamination occurred, though cleanup efforts were partially successful, with 81,000 litres of oil recovered using specialized oil skimming techniques.
- 1995: The European Court of Justice ruled that all EU football players have the right to a free transfer between European Union member states at the end of their contracts. This landmark decision, known as the 'Bosman ruling', fundamentally transformed professional football transfer regulations and player mobility within the European Union.
- 1994: The stage drama 'A Tuna Christmas' by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard opened at the Booth Theater in New York City, scheduled for a 20-performance run.
- 1985: Action movie star Sylvester Stallone married Danish actress Brigitte Nielsen in a high-profile celebrity wedding. The couple, both prominent figures in 1980s entertainment, would later become known for their tumultuous relationship.
- 1981: The 4th Emmy Sports Award ceremony was held, recognizing outstanding achievements in sports broadcasting and media.
- 1977: Kim Il Sung was unanimously re-elected as President of North Korea by the Supreme People's Assembly. This re-election further solidified his authoritarian leadership and continued the personality cult surrounding him in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). The unanimous vote was typical of the country's one-party political system, where dissent was not tolerated.
What famous birthdays are on December 15?
On December 15th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Tim Conway]()
Tim Conway (1933)Tim Conway was a legendary American comedian known for his iconic comedic roles on 'The Carol Burnett Show' and in various comedy films.
![Helen Slater]()
Helen Slater (1963)Prominent American actress known for roles in 'Supergirl', 'Billie Jean', and 'Ruthless People' during the 1980s.
![Julie Taymor]()
Julie Taymor (1952)Renowned American film and theatre director famous for her innovative stage adaptation of 'The Lion King' and her visually striking film...
![Adam Brody]()
![Michelle Dockery]()
Michelle Dockery (1981)Acclaimed British actress best known for her role as Lady Mary Crawley in the hit period drama Downton Abbey.
![Michael Shanks]()
Michael Shanks (1970)Canadian actor known for his roles in television, particularly in science fiction series like Stargate SG-1, where he played Dr. Daniel...
![Jeff Chandler]()
Jeff Chandler (1918)Jeff Chandler was a prominent American actor and singer known for his versatile roles in Hollywood during the 1950s.
![Charlie Cox]()
Charlie Cox (1982)English actor known for playing Daredevil in Marvel's Netflix series and in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with notable roles in film and...
![Stuart Townsend]()
Stuart Townsend (1972)Irish actor known for roles in films like 'Queen of the Damned' and 'Charlize Theron's former partner'.
![Geoff Stults]()
Geoff Stults (1977)American actor and producer known for roles in TV series like 'The Finder' and '7th Heaven', with a steady career in comedy and drama.
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on December 15?
On December 15th the following celebrities died:
![Charles Laughton]()
Charles Laughton (1962)Charles laughton was a renowned british actor known for his powerful performances in classic films such as the hunchback of notre dame and...
![Joan Fontaine]()
Joan Fontaine (2013)Oscar-winning actress known for her roles in Alfred Hitchcock films like 'Rebecca' and 'Suspicion'.
![Glenn Miller]()
![Blake Edwards]()
Blake Edwards (2010)Acclaimed American film director and screenwriter known for creating iconic comedy films like The Pink Panther series and Breakfast at...
![Fats Waller]()
Fats Waller (1943)Legendary jazz pianist, composer, and singer known for his virtuosic keyboard skills and humorous performances during the Harlem Renaissance...
![Jean Paige]()
- Christopher Hitchens (2011)
Christopher Hitchens was a renowned British-American journalist, author, and social critic known for his sharp intellect, provocative...
- Wolfgang Pauli (1958)
Wolfgang Pauli was a groundbreaking Austrian-born physicist who made fundamental contributions to quantum mechanics.
- Vasily Zaytsev (1991)
Legendary Soviet sniper during World War II, famous for his exceptional marksmanship during the Battle of Stalingrad.
- Serge Lifar (1986)
Renowned Russian-French ballet dancer and choreographer who significantly influenced 20th-century dance.
What day of the year is December 15?
December 15th marks the 349th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 350th in case of leap years).
There are 16 days remaining until the end of the year.
December 15th is the 15th day of the month of December.
What day of the week is December 15?
On December 15th, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.
| December | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
| 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
| 29 | 30 | 31 | ||||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day December 15?
The zodiac sign associated with December 15th is Sagittarius according to the Western Zodiac.
