In History, Today on June 15

The U.S. Federal Reserve announced a substantial interest rate hike of 0.75%, marking its largest increase since 1994 to combat rising inflation.

The European Union agreed to open borders to fully vaccinated travelers, signaling a significant step in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees against discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Massive protests took place in Hong Kong against a proposed extradition bill that would allow extraditions to mainland China, marking the beginning of a series of large-scale demonstrations advocating for democratic reforms.

A fire in a high-rise apartment building in London, known as the Grenfell Tower fire, results in 72 deaths and prompts widespread scrutiny of building regulations and fire safety.

A mass shooting occurred in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, in which a gunman killed nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church during a Bible study session.

Nik Wallenda becomes the first person to successfully walk a tightrope directly over Niagara Falls.

J. K. Rowling is awarded the Légion d'honneur by French President Nicolas Sarkozy, recognizing her contributions to literature through the Harry Potter series.

The first Shenzhou spacecraft, Shenzhou 6, is displayed to the public in Beijing, China.

The United Nations General Assembly establishes the Human Rights Council, replacing the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, to address human rights violations.

An asteroid, designated 2002 MN, missed Earth by 121,000 km.

The People's Republic of China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan form the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) to promote political, economic, and security cooperation.

Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines erupted in one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century, causing widespread destruction and affecting global temperatures.

Rembrandt's painting "Danaë" is damaged in an attack with sulfuric acid by a vandal at the Hermitage Museum in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Russia.

King Hussein of Jordan married American Lisa Halaby, who became Queen Noor of Jordan.

Spain held its first democratic elections after the death of dictator Francisco Franco, marking a significant step in the country's transition to democracy.

The first Church of Scientology is established in Los Angeles, California, by L. Ron Hubbard.

The Battle of Saipan began during World War II, as American forces landed on the island, marking a significant step in the Pacific campaign.

The Soviet Union occupied Lithuania. This marked the beginning of Soviet occupation and annexation, during which Lithuania was incorporated into the USSR until its independence in 1990.

Duluth lynchings: Three African-American circus workers were lynched by a mob in Duluth, Minnesota, after being falsely accused of rape.

John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight. Their aircraft, a modified First World War Vickers Vimy bomber, took off from St. John's, Newfoundland, and landed in Clifden, Ireland.

The steamship General Slocum caught fire and sank in the East River of New York City, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 people, mostly German-American immigrants.

The first performance of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera 'H.M.S. Pinafore' took place in London.

Arlington National Cemetery was established when 200 acres of the grounds of Arlington House were officially set aside as a military cemetery.

The Oregon Treaty was signed between the United States and Britain, establishing the 49th parallel as the boundary between U.S. and British territories in the Pacific Northwest.

Charles Goodyear is granted US patent number 3633 for his process to vulcanize rubber, which significantly advances the rubber industry.

Joseph Bonaparte, elder brother of Napoleon Bonaparte, enters Madrid and is proclaimed King of Spain by Napoleon.

Benjamin Franklin conducted his famous kite experiment to prove that lightning is electricity.

The first human blood transfusion was administered by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys, the physician to King Louis XIV of France.

Pope Leo X issued the papal bull Exsurge Domine, threatening Martin Luther with excommunication unless he recanted his 95 Theses.

During the Peasants' Revolt in England, Wat Tyler, the leader of the revolt, was killed at Smithfield by officers loyal to King Richard II.

King John of England put his seal on the Magna Carta, a document that limited the powers of the monarchy and laid the foundation for modern democracy.

The Republic of Novgorod was defeated by the Livonian Brothers of the Sword in the Battle of Ümera.

The Battle of Soissons took place, where King Robert I of France was killed, and Charles the Simple was captured, marking a significant power shift in the West Frankish Kingdom.

The Byzantine Empire, under Emperor Constantine V, achieves a significant victory over the Abbasid Caliphate at the Battle of Anchialus.