On This Day August 15th

 OTD 

August 15 is the 227th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 138 days remain until the end of the year.

Events

1057 – King Macbeth is killed at the Battle of Lumphanan by the forces of Máel Coluim mac Donnchada.

1483 – Pope Sixtus IV consecrates the Sistine Chapel.

1248 – The foundation stone of Cologne Cathedral, built to house the relics of the Three Wise Men, is laid. (Construction was eventually completed in 1880.)

1824 – The Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving French general of the American Revolutionary War, arrives in New York and tours 24 states.

1843 – The Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in Honolulu, Hawaii, is dedicated. Now the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu Cathedral is the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in continuous use in the United States.

1843 – Tivoli Gardens, one of the oldest still intact amusement parks in the world, opens in Copenhagen, Denmark.

1899 – Fratton Park football ground in Portsmouth, England, opened officially.

1915 – A story in New York World newspaper reveals that the Imperial German government had purchased excess phenol from Thomas Edison that could be used to make explosives for the war effort and diverted it to Bayer for aspirin production.

1939 – The Wizard of Oz premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California.

1947 – India gains independence from British rule after nearly 190 years of British company and crown rule and joins the Commonwealth of Nations.

1965 – The Beatles play to nearly 60,000 fans at Shea Stadium in New York City, an event later regarded as the birth of stadium rock.

1969 – The Woodstock Music & Art Fair opens in Bethel, New York, featuring some of the top rock musicians of the era.

1998 – Apple introduces the iMac computer.


Birthdays

1717 – Blind Jack, English engineer (d. 1810)

1769 – Napoleon Bonaparte, French general and emperor (d. 1821)

1859 – Charles Comiskey, American baseball player, and manager (d. 1931)

1912 – Julia Child, American chef, and author (d. 2004)

1925 – Rose Maddox, American singer-songwriter and fiddle player (d. 1998)

1938 – Stephen Breyer, American lawyer, and jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

1954 – Stieg Larsson, Swedish journalist, and author (d. 2004)

1972 – Ben Affleck, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter.


Holidays & Observance


Embracing Abundance: Ancient Egypt's Nile Flooding Celebration**

In the heart of ancient Egypt, an awe-inspiring phenomenon unfolded each year—the flooding of the Nile River. While not a traditional celebration, this annual event brought joy and prosperity to the civilization that thrived along its banks.

As the Ethiopian Highlands welcomed rainfall, the Nile swelled with life-giving waters. Overflowing its banks, the river transformed arid lands into fertile plains, ready to yield abundant crops. While not marked with modern festivities, the flooding was celebrated in the hearts of every ancient Egyptian.

 At the core of this celebration was the spiritual link the people felt with the Nile. Hapi, the river god, was seen as the bestower of life and fortune. The flooding was a sign of divine benevolence, inspiring gratitude and reverence.

The tale of the Nile's overflow was immortalized in intricate carvings and vivid paintings on temples and tombs. Brimming with vitality, the river flowed eternally on stone, a tribute to the people's respect for this life-sustaining force.

Beyond agriculture, the flood brought prosperity to the entire society. Abundant harvests led to thriving communities and markets, weaving a fabric of stability.

Though the Nile's flood is controlled today, Egypt's festivals pay homage to its agricultural heritage. These celebrations echo the joy and connection to nature felt by ancient Egyptians.

The flooding of the Nile, though not a conventional festivity, filled ancient Egypt with hope and unity. Guided by gods and nature's harmony, it painted their lives with shades of prosperity and gratitude. This celebration of abundance is a testament to ancient civilizations' resilience and reverence for the life-enriching forces shaping their world.


Others Include

Assumption of Mary (Spain)

Foundation of Old Panama City

Founding of Asuncion in Paraguay

Indian Independence Day

Liberation Day

Liechtenstein National Day

National Acadian Day

Malaita Province Day

St Mary's Day


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