UPDATE: Today, November 15, 2025, marks the anniversary of a pivotal moment in U.S. history: the 1969 anti-Vietnam War protest in Washington, D.C., where 250,000 demonstrators peacefully rallied against the ongoing conflict. This significant event highlights the enduring impact of public dissent on government policy.
HAPPENING NOW: The protest, which took place on this day over five decades ago, was one of the largest anti-war demonstrations in U.S. history. It showcased the growing discontent among Americans regarding the Vietnam War, emphasizing the power of collective voices in shaping national discourse.
In addition to the protest, historical events on this day include the approval of the Articles of Confederation by the Second Continental Congress in 1777. This foundational document served as the first constitution for the United States, underscoring the importance of governance during a period of upheaval.
Other notable events include:
– In 1806, explorer Zebulon Pike sighted what is now known as Pikes Peak in Colorado.
– On November 15, 1864, Major General William Tecumseh Sherman commenced his infamous “March to the Sea,” a strategic campaign during the U.S. Civil War that significantly impacted the Confederacy.
– President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid the cornerstone for the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., in 1939, a tribute to the third U.S. president.
– In 1959, the tragic murders of the Clutter family in Kansas became sensational news, later chronicled in Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.”
– The final mission of NASA’s Gemini program, featuring astronauts James A. Lovell and Buzz Aldrin, successfully concluded on this date in 1966 after four days in orbit.
– In 2012, BP agreed to plead guilty to charges related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, facing a record penalty of $4.5 billion.
– Most recently, in 2019, Roger Stone, a close ally of former President Donald Trump, was convicted on multiple counts, including lying to Congress. His sentence was commuted shortly before he was set to report to prison.
Today also marks a significant milestone in global demographics, as the world population reached 8 billion in 2022, based on United Nations projections.
BIRTHDAY SPOTLIGHT: Celebrating their birthdays today are notable figures such as singer Petula Clark (93), actor Sam Waterston (85), and pop icon Anni-Frid “Frida” Lyngstad of ABBA (80).
As we reflect on these historical moments, the legacy of public protests and the voices of the people remain more relevant than ever. Stay tuned for ongoing discussions about the implications of these historical events in today’s socio-political climate.
