JUNE 15 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on June 15
Rachel Jackson
Died: December 22, 1828
Wife of President Andrew Jackson (7th President of the U.S.). She died a few days before his inauguration, preventing her from becoming the First Lady. Her niece, Rachel Jackson, resumed her duties as First Lady.
William B. Ogden
Died: August 3, 1877
Businessman and politician who became the first Mayor of Chicago.
Adah Isaacs Menken
Died: August 10, 1868
American actress, painter, and poet. She was best known for her performance in the Mazeppa, where she rode a horse naked on stage.
Margaret Abbott
Died: June 10, 1955
Amateur golfer who became the first American woman to win an Olympic golf event during the 1900 Summer Olympics.
Hilda Terry
Died: October 13, 2006
Theresa Hilda D’Alessio was an American cartoonist who created the comic strip Teena.
Lash LaRue
Alfred "Lash" LaRue was a Western motion picture star of the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared on several comic book covers dressed in all black.
Bernice Gera
Died: September 23, 1992
The first woman umpire in pro baseball in 1972. She retired after her first game citing the resentment of other umpires.
Waylon Jennings
Died: February 13, 2002
American singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is considered one of the pioneers of the outlaw movement in country music.
Robert D. Keppel
Died: June 14, 2021
Police officer and academic known for his contributions to the investigations of Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgway. He also assisted in the Homicide Investigation Tracking System (HITS).
John Horner
Paleontologist and academic known for his groundbreaking discoveries regarding non-avian dinosaurs. He also served as the primary scientific advisor for the Jurassic Park movie franchise.
Jim Varney
Died: February 10, 2002
American actor, comedian, and screenwriter known for his character role Ernest P. Worrell.
Steve Walsh
American rock singer-songwriter and musician and member of the rock band Kansas. His voice is well-known for singing lead in the songs Carry On Wayward Son and Dust in the Wind.
Jim Belushi
American actor and brother of John Belushi.
Courteney Cox
Actress who played the iconic character Monica in the television sitcom Friends.
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson, Sr., commonly known as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, producer, and actor. He is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time because of his influence of bringing rap into the mainstream music industry. Though he is a successful entertainer, Ice Cube earned a one-year diploma in architectural drafting just in case his entertainment career didn't work out.
Andy Pettitte
Former MLB baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in the sport, winning five World Series championships with the Yankees and was a three-time All-Star.
Historical Events on June 15
Events that occurred on June 15 throughout history
Virginia Colonists finished building James's Fort.
Virginia Colonists finished building James's Fort, to defend against Spanish and Indian attacks. Today, the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia are actively recovering artifacts at this archaeological site.
Arkansas joins the Union.
Arkansas becomes the 25th state to join the Union. Declaring statehood growth through the booming cotton-based plantation economy.
Charles Goodyear is granted the patent for vulcanization of rubber.
Charles Goodyear receives a patent (No. 3,633) for the process for strengthening rubber. Though Goodyear never profited from his discovery, he laid groundwork for future tire industries. He was not a founder and had no affiliation with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The company was named in his honor when established.
The Treaty of 1818 between the U.S. and British North America is established.
The Treaty of 1818 between the U.S. and British North America is established, extending the Oregon Treaty boarder. Both nations agreed to a 10-year joint occupation and settlement of the Oregon Country, an area in the Pacific Northwest claimed by both nations.
Congress legalizes equal pay for Black soldiers.
Congress legalizes equal pay for Black soldiers in the military in the Union Army. The legislation ensured Black soldiers received the same pay as White soldiers.
Arlington National Cemetery is established.
Arlington National Cemetery is established on the estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. The Cemetery was intended to handle casualties of the Civil War.
President Woodrow Wilson incorporates the Boy Scouts of America.
President Woodrow Wilson signs a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America. The bill established Boy Scouts of America as an official patriotic and national organization
Bessie Coleman becomes the first Black Woman and Native American to earn her pilot license.
Bessie Coleman becomes the first Black Woman and Native American to earn her pilot license. She earned her pilot license in France because the U.S. refused to train her.
The U.S. invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate.
The U.S. invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate. This crucial invasion gave the U.S. a forward base to launch long-range B-29 bombers directly at Japan's home islands.