WHAT HAPPENED ON 15. AUGUST
Want to find out what all happened on 15. August

A story in New York World reveals that the Weimar 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. (15. August 1915)

Battle of Warsaw so called Miracle at the Vistula. (15. August 1920)

Will Rogers and Wiley Post are killed after their aircraft develops engine problems during takeoff in Barrow, Alaska. (15. August 1935)

13 Stukas dive into the ground during a disastrous air-practice at Neuhammer. There are no survivors. (15. August 1939)

The Wizard of Oz premieres at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Los Angeles, California. (15. August 1939)

An Italian submarine torpedoes and sinks the Greek cruiser Elli at Tinos harbor during peacetime, marking the most serious Italian provocation prior to the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War in October. (15. August 1940)

Corporal Josef Jakobs is executed by firing squad at the Tower of London at 07:12, making him the last person to be executed at the Tower for espionage. (15. August 1941)

World War II: Operation Pedestal — The SS Ohio reaches the island of Malta barely afloat carrying vital fuel supplies for the island's defenses. (15. August 1942)

World War II: Operation Dragoon – Allied forces land in southern France. (15. August 1944)

World War II: Japan surrenders to end the war. (15. August 1945)

India gains Independence from the British Indian Empire after near 90 years of Crown rule and joins the Commonwealth of Nations. (15. August 1947)

Founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah is sworn in as first Governor-General of Pakistan in Karachi. (15. August 1947)

The Republic of Korea is established south of the 38th parallel north. (15. August 1948)

A flash flood drenches the town of Lynmouth, England, United Kingdom, killing 34 people. (15. August 1952)

Alfredo Stroessner begins his dictatorship in Paraguay. (15. August 1954)

Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) becomes independent from France. (15. August 1960)

Border guard Conrad Schumann flees from East Germany while on duty guarding the construction of the Berlin Wall. (15. August 1961)

James Joseph Dresnok defects to North Korea after running across the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Dresnok still resides in the capital, Pyongyang. (15. August 1962)

Execution of Henry John Burnett, the last man to be hanged in Scotland, UK. (15. August 1963)

President Fulbert Youlou is overthrown in the Republic of the Congo, after a three-day uprising in the capital. (15. August 1963)