In History, Today on April 15

The United States announced sanctions against Russia, expelling ten Russian diplomats and targeting dozens of companies and individuals, in response to alleged election interference and cyberattacks.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced that the global economy was expected to shrink by 3% in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, marking the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

A major fire engulfed the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, causing significant damage to the historic structure, including the collapse of its spire and roof.

Two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, resulting in three deaths and over 260 injuries. The attack was carried out by two brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

The Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland continued to erupt, leading to widespread air travel disruption across Europe due to ash clouds.

President Hu Jintao of China arrived in South Korea to discuss bilateral relations and regional security issues.

Pol Pot, the notorious leader of the Khmer Rouge regime responsible for the Cambodian genocide, died.

The World Trade Organization was established, marking a significant event in global trade relations.

The Hillsborough disaster occurred at a football match in Sheffield, England, where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death due to overcrowding.

The first McDonald's franchise opened by Ray Kroc in Des Plaines, Illinois, marking the beginning of the global fast-food chain.

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball by playing his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first African American to play in the majors in the modern era.

British troops liberated the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, revealing the horrors of the Holocaust to the world.

Rand McNally published its first comprehensive road atlas, which became widely used by motorists in the United States.

Insulin became generally available for use by diabetes patients, marking a significant advancement in medical treatment.

The RMS Titanic sank in the North Atlantic Ocean after hitting an iceberg, resulting in the deaths of over 1,500 passengers and crew.

The closing ceremony of the first modern Olympic Games took place in Athens, Greece, marking the end of the 1896 Summer Olympics.

The General Electric Company was founded in Schenectady, New York, through the merger of the Edison General Electric Company and Thomson-Houston Electric Company.

U.S. President Abraham Lincoln died after being shot the previous day by John Wilkes Booth at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Noah Webster published his first American English dictionary, known as An American Dictionary of the English Language, which standardized American English words and spellings.

The first American school for the deaf, the American School for the Deaf, was founded by Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, Dr. Mason Cogswell, and Laurent Clerc in Hartford, Connecticut.

Preliminary articles of peace ending the American Revolutionary War were ratified by the Congress of the Confederation in the United States.

Samuel Johnson's 'A Dictionary of the English Language' was published in London, which became one of the most influential dictionaries in the history of the English language.

The Royal Academy of History was founded by Philip V of Spain, intending to document the history of Spain and its territories.

The Swedish colonists established the first European settlement in Delaware, known as New Sweden.

The Battle of Rain occurred during the Thirty Years' War, where Swedish forces under Gustavus Adolphus defeated the Holy Roman Empire's army.

The final session of the Council of Trent commenced, an important part of the Counter-Reformation efforts by the Catholic Church, addressing issues raised by the Protestant Reformation.

The Bill of Attainder against Elizabeth Barton, known as the Nun of Kent, and her associates was passed by the English Parliament, leading to their execution for treason.

The Battle of Formigny took place during the Hundred Years' War, where French forces achieved a decisive victory over the English, marking a turning point in the war.

The Sicilian Vespers rebellion concludes with the expulsion of Charles of Anjou's forces from Sicily, leading to the establishment of the Kingdom of Sicily under Peter III of Aragon.

Armenia formally ceded to the Byzantines, marking a significant moment in Byzantine expansion and Armenian history.

The Lateran Council of 769, a significant ecclesiastical synod, concluded in Rome. It was convened by Pope Stephen III to address issues of church reform and the legitimacy of papal elections.

The Siege of Masada ends with the fall of the Jewish fortress to the Roman Empire, marking the end of the First Jewish-Roman War.