What Happened on May 15

Historical Events

1941 – British attack Halfaya-pass and Fort Capuzzo in Egypt and Libya
1960 – KHVO TV channel 13 in Hilo, HI (ABC) begins broadcasting
1961 – Pope John XXIII publishes encyclical Mater et Magistra
1981 – SCTV Network 90, sequel to Second City Television, debuts on NBC
1982 – 107th Preakness: Jack Kaenel aboard Aloma’s Ruler wins in 1:55.4
2007 – 42nd Academy of Country Music Awards: Kenny Chesney, Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley win

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Famous Birthdays

1773 – Klemens von Metternich, Austrian leading statesman (Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs 1809-48, host Congress of Vienna 1814-15), born in Coblenz, Archbishopric of Trier (d. 1859)
1903 – Maria Reiche, German-born mathematician and archaeologist (d. 1998)
1914 – Norman “Norrie” Paramor, British composer, arranger, pianist, bandleader, and record producer (Cliff Richard: The Shadows; Helen Shapiro), born in London, England (d. 1979)
1922 – Enrico Berlinguer, Italian communist/Secretary-General (CPI) [or May 25]
1931 – James Mitchell, American session baritone saxophone (The Memphis Horns; Stax Records), born in Memphis, Tennesee (d. 2000)
1980 – Josh Beckett, American baseball player

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Famous Deaths

1855 – Jan Mazereeuw, Frisian farmer/sect leader, dies at 75
1899 – Francisque Sarcey, French writer (Le Temps), dies at 70
1996 – Claus Bremer, German dramatist, dies at 71
1996 – George Tindley, American soul singer and songwriter, dies at 58
2003 – June Carter Cash, American Grammy Award-winning country singer (The Carter Family; Johnny Cash Show), songwriter (“Ring Of Fire”), and actress, dies from complications after heart valve replacement surgery at 73
2021 – Fred Martinelli, American College Football Hall of Fame coach (Ashland University 1959-93), dies at 92

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