In History, Today on September 15

The Prussian Confederation was formed by a group of Prussian cities and gentry to oppose the rule of the Teutonic Knights.

Thomas Wolsey is appointed Archbishop of York.

The first non-aristocratic, free public school in Europe, the Gymnasium Illustre, was founded in Amsterdam.

British forces occupied New York City during the American Revolutionary War.

Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica declared independence from Spain.

The Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world's first inter-city railway, opened.

The HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, reached the Galápagos Islands, which would later play a crucial role in the development of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection.

The first use of tanks in warfare occurred during the Battle of the Somme in World War I, marking a significant development in military technology.

The Nuremberg Laws were enacted in Nazi Germany, institutionalizing racial discrimination against Jews and laying the groundwork for the Holocaust.

The Battle of Britain reached its climax as the Royal Air Force (RAF) successfully repelled a large-scale attack by the German Luftwaffe, marking a turning point in World War II.

The United States Marines landed on Peleliu, beginning a brutal battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II, which lasted over two months.

The U.S. Air Force was established as a separate branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

UN forces, led by General Douglas MacArthur, launched the successful Inchon Landing during the Korean War, which turned the tide in favor of the United Nations Command.

Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, marking a significant moment in Cold War diplomacy.

The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing occurred in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four African American girls and marking a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement.

Muhammad Ali won the world heavyweight boxing title for the third time by defeating Leon Spinks in New Orleans.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Sandra Day O'Connor's nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, making her the first woman to serve on the Court.

The first issue of USA Today is published.

Google.com was registered as a domain name, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most influential technology companies in the world.

Lehman Brothers, a global financial services firm, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, marking the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history and a pivotal moment in the global financial crisis.

Occupy Wall Street, a protest movement against economic inequality and the influence of corporate money in politics, began in Zuccotti Park in New York City.

The United States launched its first airstrikes against ISIS targets in Iraq, marking the beginning of a broader military campaign against the Islamic State group.

Hungary closed its border with Serbia to stop the influx of migrants, leading to clashes between police and migrants and sparking international criticism.

The Cassini spacecraft, a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Italian Space Agency, ended its mission by plunging into Saturn's atmosphere after 13 years of exploration.