This Day In History, June 15th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on June 15th.
1215: monarch John of England signs the Magna Carta, which establishes that everyone, including the monarch, is subject to the law.
The Second Continental Congress appoints George Washington as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army in 1775.
Arkansas becomes the 25th state to join the Union in 1836.
Charles Goodyear wins a patent for his vulcanization method in 1844, which makes rubber stronger, more elastic, and less likely to break down at harsh temperatures.
The General Slocum steamer catches fire and sinks in New York City's East River, killing over 1,000 passengers, the majority of whom were German-American women and children on a church trip.
1215: King John of England signs the Magna Carta - a document that established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law.
The Magna Carta was a document signed on June 15, 1215 by King John of England. It was a watershed moment in democracy and human rights history, establishing the notion that even the king was subject to the law and could not act above it. The Magna Carta was written in response to the concerns of English lords who thought King John had overstepped his authority, and it established restrictions on the monarchy's power, laying the groundwork for constitutional governance. The Magna Carta had an impact not only on the establishment of human rights and the rule of law in England, but also in other countries across the world.
1775: George Washington is appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army by the Second Continental Congress.
The Second Continental Congress, gathering in Philadelphia on June 15, 1775, chose George Washington as commander-in-chief of the newly constituted Continental Army. The American colonies were in open revolt against the British at the time, and the Continental Army had been established to fight for independence. Washington was seen as the strongest choice to head the army since he had participated in the French and Indian War and had a reputation as a capable military leader. During the American Revolution, his command of the Continental Army was critical to the colonies' final triumph over the British.
1836: Arkansas becomes the 25th state to join the United States.
Arkansas became the 25th state to join the Union on June 15, 1836. Arkansas was once part of the Louisiana Purchase, a huge region purchased from France by the United States in 1803. The region was first ruled as part of the Missouri region before becoming the Arkansas Territory in 1819. As more people migrated into the area, there was a campaign for statehood, which was ultimately granted in 1836. Arkansas had an essential part in the Civil War since it was a Confederate state and witnessed a substantial amount of fighting.
1844: Charles Goodyear receives a patent for his process of vulcanizing rubber - a process that makes rubber stronger, more elastic, and less likely to break down in extreme temperatures.
Charles Goodyear received a patent for his vulcanizing technique on June 15, 1844. For many years, Goodyear has been working with rubber, seeking to discover a method to make it more durable and resistant to temperature fluctuations. He realized that by heating natural rubber with sulfur, he could generate a more stronger and more elastic substance than conventional rubber. This technique, known as vulcanization, transformed the rubber industry and made rubber considerably more usable for a variety of uses ranging from tires to shoe bottoms to industrial seals. Today, the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company is one of the world's largest tire producers, and Charles Goodyear is regarded as one of America's most influential innovators.
1904: The General Slocum steamship catches fire and sinks in the East River of New York City, killing over 1,000 people - mostly German-American women and children on a church outing.
The General Slocum steamer caught fire and sunk in New York City's East River on June 15, 1904. The ship was carrying nearly 1,300 people, the most of whom were German-American women and children on a religious trip. The fire broke out when the ship was on its route to a picnic on Long Island, and many of the passengers were unable to escape owing to a lack of lifeboats and life jackets. The precise number of victims is unknown, however it is believed that over 1,000 people perished in the tragedy, making it one of the greatest maritime disasters in American history. The incident shocked New York City's German-American community and resulted in substantial improvements in marine safety rules.