OCTOBER 15 | Birthdays and Events
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NOTABLE BIRTHDAYS FOR OCTOBER 15
Thomas Hastings (1784-1872) - Composer well known for creating the hymns When I Survey the Wondrous Cross and Holy Ghost, with Light Divine.
Asaph Hall (1829-1907) - Astronomer who discovered two moons of Phobos and Deimos of Mars.
John L. Sullivan (1858-1918) - The last heavyweight bare-knuckle champion and the the first heavyweight gloved champion.
Charles W. Clark (1865-1925) - Singer known for his song The Band Played On.
Jane Darwell (1879-1967) - Actress known for her character Ma Joad in Grapes of Wrath.
S.S. Van Dine (1888-1939) - One of the first detective crime writers whose character Philo Vance became an inspiration to future crime writers.
Ina Claire (1893-1985) - Silent film actress best known for her work in The Devil's Disciple.
Varian Fry (1907-1967) - Journalist and recipient of the Righteous Among the Nations award for saving at least 2,000 Jews during WWII.
Nellie Lutcher (1912-2007) - Jazz and R&B musician/songwriter known for the songs Hurry On Down and He's a Real Gone Guy.
Malcolm Ross (1919-1985) - Atmospheric physicist whose work contributed to understanding the atmosphere, specifically weather patterns.
Lee Iacocca (1924-2019) - CEO of Chrysler Corporation and one of the collaborators that created the Ford Mustang.
John Coleman (1934-2018) - Co-founder of The Weather Channel.
Penny Marshall (1943-2018) - Known for her quirky and comedic role as Laverne in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.
Tito Jackson (1953-2024) - Member of the Jackson 5/Jacksons.
Emeril Lagasse (1959-Still Living) - Famous chef and television personality.
Vincent Martella (1992-Still Living) - Voice of Phineas in the amination Phineas and Ferb.
IMPORTANT EVENTS FOR OCTOBER 15
1789 - George Washington starts the first Presidential tour in New England.
1846 - The first public use of ether is conducted by Dr. William Thomas Green.
1860 - An 11-year-old Grace Bedell writes to Abraham Lincoln telling telling him to grow a beard because she thought it would make him look more distinguished and the ladies would like him more.
1878 - Thomas Edison's light company begins operation.
1881 - The fishing magazine American Angler is published for the first time.
1883 - The Supreme Court declares Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional.
1895 - Henry Perky patents a machine to help with preparation of cereals to create shredded wheat.
1924 - President Coolidge declares the Statue of Liberty a national monument.
1933 - Presidential terms of office are changed from March to January.
1937 - To Have and Have Not written by Ernest Hemingway is published.
1951 - I Love Lucy debuts on CBS television.
1952 - E. B. White's novel Charlotte's Web is published.
1955 - The Grand Ole Opry is broadcasted for the first time on television.
1966 - President Johnson signs a bill to create the U.S. Department of Transportation.
1984 - The CIA Information Act passes to make it easier to streamline the Freedom of Information Act related to the CIA.
2007 - Fox Business Network is launched.