A closer look at key historic events that took place on June 15:

In 1954, The Union of European Football Associations is founded

UEFA was founded on June 15 in Basel, Switzerland to oversee and promote football competitions among European nations. It organizes some of the most prestigious tournaments in football, including the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and the UEFA European Championship (Euro). It comprises 54 member countries in Europe and Asia.

UEFA Logo

In 1864, Arlington National Cemetery is established

Arlington National Cemetery was established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, which belonged to Confederate General Robert E. Lee. 200 acres from the estate were seized by the US government and established as a military cemetery primarily for Union soldiers who died during the Civil War. Over time, it has expanded to include the graves of military veterans, presidents, and notable public figures, becoming one of the most iconic and solemn national cemeteries in the United States.

A U.S. Army Old Guard soldier walks with flags to plant at headstones during the annual ‘Flags In’ event, whereby U.S. flags are placed at service members’ gravesites, in advance of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, U.S., May 23, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

In 1846, The US and Britain sign the Oregon Treaty

Also known as the Treaty of Washington, this treaty resolved a long-standing boundary dispute between the two nations over the Oregon Country, which encompassed the present-day states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming. The treaty established the 49th parallel as the border between British North America (Canada) and the United States westward from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, ensuring peaceful coexistence and delineating the territorial claims of both countries in the region.

Map of the states and territories of the United States as it was from June 1846 to December 1846. On June 18 1846, Oregon Country below the 49th parallel, excluding Vancouver Island, was incorporated in to the United States as unorganized territory. On December 28 1846, a portion of Iowa Territory was admitted as the state of Iowa; the remainder became unorganized. Wikimedia Commons

In 1775,  George Washington becomes commander in chief of the colonies
George Washington became the commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, where assumed leadership of the colonial forces fighting against British rule. His role as commander in chief was crucial in guiding the colonies through the war for independence, ultimately leading to the formation of the United States of America.
Wikimedia Commons
In 1667, the first human blood transfusion is administered

The transfusion was performed by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys, a French physician. Denys transfused blood from a sheep into a 15-year-old boy who was suffering from fever. This early attempt at blood transfusion, while pioneering, was not entirely successful, as the boy experienced adverse reactions and did not fully recover, but did survive, most likely to the small amount of blood used.

A early blood transfusion from lamb to man. Wikimedia Commons

In 1215, the Magna Carta is sealed by King John
The Magna Carta was a charter of liberties that King John of England was forced to sign on June 15 by his barons at Runnymede, England, under threat of civil war. It aimed to limit the power of the monarch and protect the rights of the nobility and freemen. It established the principle that even the king was subject to the law and guaranteed certain rights and liberties to the people, laying the groundwork for modern constitutional governance and the rule of law.

The Magna Carta. Wikimedia Commons

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