15 December in history
8 events that happened on 15 December, from 37 to 2001.
533 CE 1,493 years ago
Belisarius defeats the Vandal king Gelimer at Tricamarum
West of Carthage, the Byzantine army of Belisarius defeated the Vandal king Gelimer, whose brother Tzazon was killed. Gelimer fled to the mountains and surrendered in 534, ending the Vandal Kingdom and restoring North Africa to the Roman Empire.
1025 CE 1,001 years ago
Constantine VIII becomes sole emperor after 63 years as co-emperor
Co-emperor in name since 962, alongside his father Romanos II, Nikephoros II Phokas, John I Tzimiskes and his brother Basil II, Constantine VIII became sole emperor on Basil's death. He ruled alone until 1028.
1161 CE 865 years ago
Jin emperor Wanyan Liang is assassinated by his own officers
After the Jin defeat by the Southern Song at the Battle of Caishi, officers of the Jurchen emperor Wanyan Liang rebelled and killed him in his camp. His successor posthumously demoted him to the rank of prince.
1791 CE 235 years ago
The Bill of Rights is ratified
Virginia's approval gave the first ten amendments to the US Constitution the required three-quarters of states. They guarantee freedoms of speech, religion, press and assembly, and rights to due process.
1890 CE 136 years ago
Sitting Bull is killed at Standing Rock
Lakota leader Sitting Bull, a leader at the victory over Custer at the Little Bighorn, was shot dead by Indian police trying to arrest him. Two weeks later came the massacre at Wounded Knee.
✦ Anniversary of the day
Born on 15 December 3
Died on 15 December 5
Dates as the sources give them: in the Julian calendar before 1582, and in some countries for longer (Britain until 1752, Russia until 1918). Only people whose day of birth or death the records agree on are listed.