Day In History
This Day in History
Today: January 15, 2026
69
Otho seizes power in Rome, proclaiming himself Emperor of Rome,[1] beginning a reign of only three months.
1541
King Francis I of France gives Jean-François Roberval a commission to settle the province of New France (Canada) and provide for the spread of the "Holy Catholic faith".[2]
1559
Elizabeth I is crowned Queen of England and Ireland in Westminster Abbey, London.[3]
1582
Truce of Yam-Zapolsky: Russia cedes Livonia to the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.[4]
1759
The British Museum opens to the public.[5]
1777
American Revolutionary War: New Connecticut (present-day Vermont) declares its independence.[6]
1782
Superintendent of Finance Robert Morris addresses the U.S. Congress to recommend establishment of a national mint and decimal coinage.[7]
1815
War of 1812: American frigate USS President, commanded by Commodore Stephen Decatur, is captured by a squadron of four British frigates.[8]
1818
A paper by David Brewster is read to the Royal Society, belatedly announcing his discovery of what we now call the biaxial class of doubly-refracting crystals.[9] On the same day, Augustin-Jean Fresnel signs a "supplement" (submitted fo...
1822
Greek War of Independence: Demetrios Ypsilantis is elected president of the legislative assembly.
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