On This Day May 15th

 OTD

May 15th is the one-hundred-thirty-fith day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 230 days remain until the end of the year.

 

Events

221 – Liu Bei, the Chinese warlord, proclaims himself emperor of Shu Han, the successor of the Han dynasty.

1525 – Insurgent peasants led by Anabaptist pastor Thomas Müntzer were defeated at the Battle of Frankenhausen, ending the German Peasants' War in the Holy Roman Empire.

1536 – Anne Boleyn, Queen of England, stands trial in London on charges of treason, adultery, and incest; she is condemned to death by a specially selected jury.

1618 – Johannes Kepler confirms his previously rejected discovery of the third law of planetary motion.

1836 – Francis Baily observes "Baily's beads" during an annular eclipse.

1905 –Las Vegas was founded in Nevada, United States.

1911 – In Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States, the United States Supreme Court declares Standard Oil as an "unreasonable" monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and orders the company to be broken up.

1940 – Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant.

1963 – Project Mercury: The launch of the final Mercury mission, Mercury-Atlas 9, with astronaut Gordon Cooper on board. He becomes the first American to spend more than a day in space and the last to go into space alone.

1970 – President Richard Nixon appointed Anna Mae Hays and Elizabeth P. Hoisington as the first female United States Army generals.

2010 – Jessica Watson becomes the youngest person to sail, non-stop and unassisted worldwide solo.

 

Birthdays

1565 – Hendrick de Keyser, Dutch sculptor, and architect (d. 1621)

1808 – Michael William Balfe, Irish composer and conductor (d. 1870)

1856 – L. Frank Baum, American novelist (d. 1919)

1900 – Ida Rhodes, American mathematician and pioneer in computer programming (d. 1986)

1944 – Ulrich Beck, German sociologist and academic (d. 2015)

1948 – Brian Eno, English singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer

 

Holiday Highlight

Asphalt Day

In 2023, the Asphalt Institute, recognizing the pivotal role of asphalt in the paving and roofing industry, decided to sponsor Asphalt Day annually. This global celebration, held on May 15, marks the founding of the Asphalt Institute in 1919 and serves as a significant event for the industry.

Asphalt, a key component in road and roofing construction, is crucial in our daily lives. Studies reveal that 94 percent of all U.S. roads and 80 percent of U.S. residential roofs are made of asphalt. Asphalt Day serves to raise awareness about these products, showcasing their resiliency and growing sustainability.

Asphalt’s resiliency shows through its responsiveness to climatic conditions and natural disasters. Asphalt repairs roadways quickly after natural disasters and damage from weather-related events. Pavement designers use asphalt to better construct roads that can withstand higher temperatures, snow, ice, and extreme weather. Asphalt shingles provide the most protection for homes and the people inside when it comes to extreme weather conditions. Advancing technology is helping to make asphalt roofs even more impenetrable.

The asphalt industry is at the forefront of sustainability efforts. Asphalt road materials are recycled more than aluminum cans and newspapers in the U.S., contributing to a more circular economy. The industry has set a goal to produce and construct net zero carbon emission asphalt pavements in 25 years. Similarly, the asphalt roofing industry is working towards reducing and eventually eliminating landfill disposal of asphalt-based roofing materials. Recycled shingles are being used in road construction, road repair, roofing products, and more, showcasing the industry's commitment to sustainability.


Holidays And Observance

Bring Flowers to Someone Day

Buddha Day

Dinosaur Day

Emergency Medical Services Day - May 15, 2024 (Third Wednesday in May)

Hyperemesis Gravidarum Awareness Day

International Conscientious Objector Day

International Day of Families

International Kangaroo Care Awareness Day

International MPS Awareness Day

National Chocolate Chip Day

National Employee Health and Fitness Day

National Juice Slush Day

National Nylon Stockings Day

National Safety Dose Day

National Senior Fraud Awareness Day

National Stockings Day

National Tuberous Sclerosis Day

Peace Officers Memorial Day

Relive Your Past by Listening to the First Music You Ever Bought No Matter What It Was no Excuses Day

Straw Hat Day

TSC Global Awareness Day (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex)

Turn Beauty Inside Out Day

VBF Day of Awareness

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