What Happened on December 15?

December 15 is Bill of Rights Day — honoring the 1791 amendments that protect American freedoms — on the same date Gemini craft rendezvoused in 1965, Venera 7 landed on Venus in 1970, and Walt Disney died in 1966.

• 1791 — Virginia's ratification makes the Bill of Rights part of the Constitution

  On December 15, 1791, Virginia's approval gave the first ten amendments — the Bill of Rights — the votes needed to become law. Read the full story →

• 1939 — Gone with the Wind premieres in Atlanta

  On December 15, 1939, the film Gone with the Wind opened in Atlanta — becoming a box-office giant of Hollywood's golden age. Read the full story →

• 1965 — Gemini 6A and Gemini 7 complete the first crewed space rendezvous

  On December 15, 1965, Gemini 6A pulled alongside Gemini 7 in orbit — proving astronauts could meet in space. Read the full story →

• 1966 — Walt Disney dies in Los Angeles

  On December 15, 1966, entertainment pioneer Walt Disney died — leaving a studio, theme parks, and characters known worldwide. Read the full story →

• 1970 — Venera 7 becomes the first spacecraft to soft-land on another planet

  On December 15, 1970, the Soviet probe Venera 7 landed on Venus and sent data from the surface — a planetary first. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Gustave Eiffel (1832–1923) · Ludwik Zamenhof (1859–1917) · Tim Conway (1933–2019) · Don Johnson (1949)

Days & observances

Bill of Rights Day · National Cupcake Day · National Lemon Cupcake Day · Cat Herders Day