Washington, United States. Several notable events have taken place on June 15 across different years, spanning transport disasters, diplomatic developments, aviation milestones, cultural landmarks and prominent deaths.
1904: General Slocum disaster in New York harbour
The steamship General Slocum caught fire and sank in New York harbour. Around 1,000 people died, many of them women and children on a church outing.
1919: First non-stop transatlantic flight completed
The Englishmen John Alcock and Arthur Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight.
1967: First rock music festival draws large crowd
More than 50,000 fans attended the first rock music festival, held in Monterey, California.
1994: Israel and the Vatican establish full diplomatic ties
Israel and the Vatican established full diplomatic ties, sealing a historic accord on mutual recognition and reconciliation after centuries of bitterness between Roman Catholics and Jews.
1996: Death of Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald, known as the “First Lady of Jazz”, died at the age of 79.
2001: Shanghai Five becomes the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
The Shanghai Five — China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan — welcomed new member Uzbekistan and renamed themselves the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a regional organisation to combat Islamic militancy.
2001: Hybrid minivan goes on sale
The world’s first mass-produced hybrid minivan went on sale.
2003: Hume Cronyn dies at 91
Hume Cronyn, whose career on Broadway and in Hollywood spanned more than six decades, died at 91. He made his film debut in Alfred Hitchcock’s “Shadow of a Doubt” in 1943 and later appeared in films including “The Postman Always Rings Twice”, “12 Angry Men” and “Cocoon”.
2006: Cheryl Tweedy and Victoria Beckham attend World Cup match
Pop stars Cheryl Tweedy and Victoria Beckham watched their partners play for England at the World Cup in Germany.