JUNE 15 | Birthdays and Events

Notable Birthdays for June 15

Rachel Jackson (1767-1828) - Wife of President Andrew Jackson (7th President of the U.S.) who died a few days before his inauguration, preventing her from becoming the First Lady.

Josiah Henson (1789-1883) - Former slave who founded of a laborers school for fugitive slaves.

Margaret Abbott (1878-1955) - Amateur golfer who became the first American woman to win an Olympic event (1900 Summer Olympics in golf).

Bernice Gera (1931-1992) - The first woman umpire in pro baseball.

Waylon Jennings (1937-2002) - Country music singer/songwriter.

Ward Connerly (1939-Still Living) - Founder of the American Civil Rights Institute.

John Horner (1946-Still Living) - Paleontologist who provided the first clear evidence that some dinosaurs cared for their young (Maiasaura).

Jim Belushi (1954-Still Living) - Actor and brother of John Belushi.

Courteney Cox (1964-Still Living) - Actress who is recognizable for her role as Monica on the sitcom Friends.

Memorable Events for June 15

1752 (est. year) - Ben Franklin prove that lightning is electricity.

1804 - Congress ratifies the 12th Amendment of the Constitution, establishing the procedure for electing the President and Vice President.

1836 - Arkansas becomes the 25th state to join the Union.

1844 - Charles Goodyear receives a patent for vulcanization of rubber (strengthening process).

1864 - Arlington National Cemetery is established.

1864 - Congress legalizes equal pay for Black soldiers in the military.

1907 - Researcher George Soper publishes the name of Mary Mallon (Typhoid Mary) as the cause of the recent typhoid outbreaks in the New York area.

1916 - President Wilson signs a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America.

1921 - Bessie Coleman becomes the first Black Woman and Native American to earn her pilot license.

1934 - The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is founded.