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On this day in history - May 15

What Happened On This Day – May 15

  • 1948 Egypt, Syria, Transjordan and Iraq invade Israel

    The First Arab-Israeli War was initiated by Israel's proclamation of independence on the day before the invasion. It lasted nearly 10 months and caused thousands of casualties on both sides.

  • 1940 The first McDonald's fast food restaurant opens

    Maurice “Mac” and Richard “Dick” McDonald opened McDonald's Bar-B-Q in San Bernardino. Today, McDonald's is the world's largest fast food chain.

  • 1930 The first airline stewardess goes on duty

    Ellen Church and her team served snacks on a United Airlines flight from Oakland to Chicago. The flight attendants were also responsible for refueling the aircraft, handling luggage, and checking tickets.

  • 1928 The first Mickey Mouse film is screened

    The 6-minute film “Plane Crazy” directed by Walt Disney shows Mickey trying to fly an airplane in reference to Charles Lindbergh. Today, Mickey Mouse is one of the world's most recognized cartoon characters and the official mascot of the Walt Disney Company.

  • 1718 The world's first machine gun is patented

    British lawyer, James Puckle, invented the 25.4 mm caliber “Puckle Gun” for the use on ships. It was designed for two bullet types: round bullets for Christians and (more damaging) square bullets for Turks.

Illustration of stork, signifying birth

Births On This Day,
May 15

  • 1987 Andy Murray

    Scottish tennis player

  • 1981 Patrice Evra

    French footballer

  • 1948 Brian Eno

    English singer-songwriter, keyboard player, producer

  • 1856 L. Frank Baum

    American author

  • 1773 Klemens von Metternich

    German/Austrian politician, 1st State Chancellor of the Austrian Empire

Illustration of tombstone, signifying death

Deaths On This Day,
May 15

  • 2012 Carlos Fuentes

    Mexican author

  • 1978 Robert Menzies

    Australian politician, 12th Prime Minister of Australia

  • 1967 Edward Hopper

    American painter

  • 1956 Austin Osman Spare

    English painter, magician

  • 1886 Emily Dickinson

    American poet