2015: The Year Ahead - Anniversaries and Events

ANNIVERSARIES IN 2015

800TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIGNING OF THE MAGNA CARTA

The Magna Carta (Latin for "the Great Charter") is considered one of history's most important legal documents.  It was issued by King John of England to a group of rebellious barons on the plain at Runnymede, near Windsor, on June 15, 1215.   Fearing that a rebellion by these disgruntled nobles would mushroom into a civil war, the unpopular monarch affixed his seal to the document.

The Magna Carta primarily secured the liberties of England's privileged classes.  It also effectively ended the era of absolute power for English sovereigns since they were no longer above the law.  It is Europe's first written constitution and has been used to form the fundamental principles of common law in constitutions world wide.  In fact, many of the provisions in the United States' Bill of Rights (the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution) find their basis in the Magna Carta.

200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO

This year marks the bicentennial of the Battle of Waterloo, which took place on June 18, 1815. The battle between a French army and an Anglo-allied army occurred in present-day Belgium (then known as the United Kingdom of the Netherlands).  The above painting by Robert Alexander Hillingford depicts the Duke of Wellington (ArthurWellesley) commanding the British and their allies at Waterloo.  Together with a Prussian army, under Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, they overcame the French forces led by Naoleon Bonaparte.

The battle marked the final defeat of Napoleon, hence the expression "he met his Waterloo.": After his loss, Napoleon was imprisoned and exiled to the island of St. Helena in the Atlantic Ocean.  He died there in 1821.

100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SINKING OF THE LUSITANIA

On May 7, 1915, the RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner was torpedoed by German U-boat U-20 off the southern coast of Ireland.  A second internal explosion caused he doomed vessel, with almost 2,000 aboard, to sink in just 18 minutes.  Over 1,190 people lost their lives in the tragedy.

The luxury passenger ship had left New York for Liverpool, England on May 1, 1915 at a time of increased submarine warfare.  Germany had proclaimed the seas around Great Britain to be a war-zone and the German embassy had placed advertisements in newspapers cautioning people about sailing on the Lusitania.  

In attacking a non-military ship with out warning, the Germans violated international law known as the Cruiser Rules, which govern the the taking of vessels on the high seas during war.  It is also true, however, that the Lusitania, launched by the Cunard line in 1906, was carrying munitions and that the British themselves had also been breaching the Cruiser Rules, according to several books including World War One by Spencer Tucker and Pricilla Mary Roberts, The Age of Cunard: A Transatlanic History; 1839-2003 by Daniel Allen Butler,and World War 1 by Rodney P. Carlisle

The sinking of the Lusitania stirred up anti-German sentiment in the United States, especially since 128 Americans had been killed in the incident.  It influenced public opinion to support the U.S. entry into World War I in 1917.

70TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ATOMIC BOMBINGS OF HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI

A mushroom cloud billowing above Hiroshima on August 6, 1945

On August 6, 1945, an American B-29 bomber, the "Enola Gay," dropped the first atomic bomb used in warfare on the city of Hiroshima, Japan.  According to the BBC, 60,000 to 80,000 people were killed immediately by the bomb, codenamed "Little Boy.  More died from the effects of radiation and the final death toll has been estimated at 135,000.

On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped another atomic bomb, this time on Nagasaki, an important Japanese port city,  According to the BBC, the second bomb, codenamed "Fat Man," was larger and it killed about 40,000 people instantly.  The final death toll was estimated to be at least 50,000.

70th ANNIVERSARY OF THE END OF WORLD WAR II

On August 14-15, 1945, Japan agreed in principle to an unconditional surrender.  Japan formerly surrendered on September 2, 1945, bringing World War II to an end.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL

Sir Winston Churchill, British leader during World War II and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940-1945 and from 1951-1955, died on January 25, 1965.  He was 90 years old.  112 nations were represented at Churchill's state funeral and millions watched it live on television.  His body lay in state at Westminster Hall and the funeral service took place at St. Paul's Cathedral.

Churchill's funeral train of Pullman coaches


Photo Attribution: Ben Brooksbank

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ASSASSINATION OF MALCOLM X

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little), an influential American black leader, was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City.  As he was preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity, a ruckus broke out and he was gunned down by three members of the Nation of Islam.  Malcolm X had recently repudiated the teachings of the controversial black supremacist organization, which called for the separation of blacks and whites. He was 39 years old at the time of his death.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST AMERICAN COMBAT TROOPS IN VIETNAM.

On March 8, 1965, about 3,500 United States Marines arrived in what was then known as South Vietnam.

U.S. Marines landing at Da Nang

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE RELEASE OF THE SOUND OF MUSIC

Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, the famous film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was initially released in the United States on March 2, 1965.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WATTS RIOTS IN LOS ANGELES 

On August 11, 1965, race riots broke out in the Los Angeles neighbourhood of Watts.  The rioting last until August 17th and there was about $40 million in property damage.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEATLES' SHEA STADIUM PERFORMANCE

On August 15, 1965, The Beatles performed the first stadium rock concert before over 55,000 at Shea Stadium in New York City.

50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT NORTHEAST BLACKOUT OF 1965

New York City, November 1965

On November 9, 1965, there was a great power outage in Ontario in Canada and in the U.S. states of New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 2015

ARGENTINA

Argentina is scheduled to hold general elections on October 25, 2015.  There will be a second round on November 24, if necessary.  Primary elections will held on August 9, 2015.

CANADA

CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAPLE LEAF FLAG

On February 15, 1965, the red and white maple design replaced the Red Ensign as the official flag of Canada.

The 42nd Canadian general election to elect members to the House of Commons is tentatively set for October 19, 2015.  However, Governor General David Johnston could call the election earlier on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

The Calgary Stampede will take place in Calgary, Alberta from July 3, 2015 to July 12, 2015.

The Canadian National Exhibition (also known as the CNE or The Ex) will be held from August 21, 2015 to September 7, 2015 at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario.

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the leading public film festival in the world, will take place in Toronto, Ontario from September 10, 2015 to September 20, 2015.

FRANCE

The 68th Cannes Film Festival {Festival de Cannes) will be held in Cannes, France from May 13, 2015 until May 24, 2015.

GREAT BRITAIN

On September 10, 2015, Queen Elizabeth II will become the longest-serving British monarch ever, surpassing Queen Victoria's reign of 63 years, 7 months and 3 days.  Victoria, who was Elizabeth's great-great-grandmother, died in 1901 at the age of 81.

A general election will be held in the United Kingdom in 2015.  The election will be held on May 7, 2015 unless the House of Commons votes to have it at an earlier date.

ISRAEL

Israeli's will go to the polls this year.  The election is set for March 17, 2015 and will determine the fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition government.

ITALY

Milan, Italy will host Expo 2015.  The universal exposition will take place between May 1 and October 31, 2015.  Its theme will be Feeding the Planet, energy for life.

LITHUANIA

On January 1, 2015, Lithuania will officially adopt the euro as its currency, It will become the 19th Eurozone country.

MEXICO

Legislative elections are scheduled to be held in Mexico in July of 2015.  Voters will elect 500 deputies to the Chamber of Deputies for the 63rd Congress.

UNITED STATES

June 30, 2015 mark the 50th anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing of the Social Security Acts of 1965 into law, establishing Medicare and Medicaid.

Pope Francis will visit the United States in September of 2015.  He is scheduled to attend the World Meeting of Families conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from September 25, 2015 to September 27, 2015.  The conference is held every three years in a different city, organized by the local Catholic diocese and the Pontifical Council of the Family, to focus on marriage and family life. The three-day visit is expected to include a public Sunday mass on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

There will be various elections in the United States and they will be mainly held on Tuesday, November 3, 2015.. There will be some state legislative and judicial elections and least three states, Kentucky, Louisiana and Mississippi, will hold gubernatorial elections.  There will also be mayoralty races in such major cities as Charlotte, North Carolina, Dallas, Texas, Chicago, Illinois, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Phoenix, Arizona, San Francisco, California and a number of others.

SPORTING EVENTS IN 2015

AUSTRALIA

TENNIS:  The Australian Open will be held from January 19th to February 1, 2015 at the Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia.

CANADA

THE 2015 PAN AMERICAN GAMES - The Pan Am Games will be held in Toronto, Ontario and surrounding area from July 10 to July 26, 2015.

HORSE RACING:  The 156th running of the Queen's Plate, the first jewel of Canada's Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Horse Racing, will take place on Sunday, July 5, 2015 at Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto, Ontario.  The Queen's Plate is the longest continuously run stakes race in North America.

GOLF:  The Canadian Open will be played at the Glen Abbey Golf  Club in Oakville, Ontario.  The tournament will be take place from July 20 to July 26, 2015.

CANADIAN FOOTBALL:  The 103rd Grey Cup will be held on Sunday, November 29, 2015 at Investors Group Field in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

FRANCE

TENNIS:  The French Open (also known as Roland Garros) will take place at Stade Roland Garros in Paris, France from May 24, 2015 until June 7, 2015.

GREAT BRITAIN

TENNIS:  The prestigious Wimbledon tournament will run from Monday, June 29, 2015 to Sunday, July 12, 2015.  It will take place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, England.

GOLF:  The 144th British Open will be held at Old Course at St. Andrew's, Scotland from July 16 to July 19, 2015.

UNITED STATES

NFL FOOTBALL;  Super Bowl XL1X (the 49th edition of the Super Bowl will take place on Sunday, February 1, 2015 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

GOLF:  The 79th edition of the Masters Tournament will be held from April 9, 2015 to April 12, 2015 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia.

HORSE RACING:  The 141st running of the Kentucky Derby, known as the "Run for the Roses," will be held on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

AUTO RACING:  The 99th Indianapolis 500 will take place on Sunday, May 24, 3015 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana.

GOLF:  The 115th United States Open Championship (U.S. Open) will be played from June 18, 2015 to June 21, 2015 at Chambers Bay in University Place, Washington (southwest of Tacoma).

BASEBALL:  The 86th edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be hosted by the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio.  The game between the stars of the American League and the National League will take place on Tuesday, July 14, 2015.

TENNIS:  The U.S. Open will be held from Monday, August 31, 2015 through Sunday, September 13, 2015 at the USTA Billie Jean King Center in New York, New York.

      

ENTERTAINMENT AWARDS IN 2015

The 57th annual Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, United States on February 8, 2015.

The 87th Academy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2015 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles , California.

On March 15, 2015, the city of Hamilton, Ontario will host the 44th annual Juno Awards to honour the best in Canadian music.

t
The 69th Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, better known as the Tony Awards, will be held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on June 7, 2015.

WHO TURNS 50 IN 2015?

Shania Twain, Canadian country-pop singer,, born August 28, 1965 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Charlie Sheen, American actor, born September 3, 1965 in New York City, United States

Lennox Lewis, retired boxer, holds British and Canadian citizenship, born September 2, 1965 in London, England, United Kingdom

Kyra Sedgwik, American actress, born August 19, 1965 in New York City, United Stated

Peter MacKay, Canadian politician, born September 27, 1965 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada

Patrick Roy, Canadian former hockey goaltending star, current NHL coach, born October 5, 1965 in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

Christy Clark, Canadian politician and current Premier of British Columbia, born October 29, 1965 in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada

Ben Stiller, American actor, born November 3, 1965 in New York City, United States

Katarina Witt, retired German figure skater, born December 3, 1965 in Berlin, Germany

Elizabeth Hurley, British actress and model, born on June 10, 1965 in Basingstoke, England, United Kingdom

Kevin James, American actor, born April 26, 1965 in Mineola, New York, United States

Linda Evangelista, Canadian model, born May 10, 1965 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

Todd Bridges, American actor,born May 27, 1965 in San Francisco, California, United States

Steve Yzerman, retired Canadian hockey player and current NHL general manager, born May 9, 1965 in Cranbrook, British Columbia, Canada

Julia Ormond, English actress, born January 4, 1965 in Epsom and Ewell in Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Robert Downey Jr., American actor, born April 4, 1965 in New York City, United States

Michael Bay, American film director and producer, born February 17, 1965 in Los Angeles, California, United States

Sarah Jessica Parker, American actress, born March 25, 1965 in Nelsonville, Ohio, United States



- Joanne