What Happened on February 15?

February 15 is when Canada raised its famous Maple Leaf flag for the first time — and the birthday of stargazer Galileo and voting-rights hero Susan B. Anthony!

• 1898 — USS Maine explodes in Havana Harbor

  A massive explosion sank the American battleship Maine in Cuba's Havana harbor, killing over 260 sailors — and newspaper headlines pushed the United States toward war with Spain. Read the full story →

• 1965 — Canada raises its Maple Leaf flag

  After months of debate — and thousands of design suggestions including one with three joined maple leaves — Canada unfurled its bold red-and-white Maple Leaf flag above Parliament Hill. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) · Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)

Days & observances

National Gumdrop Day · Singles Awareness Day