Construction of Fort Crevecoeur, the first French fort built in present day Illinois, began on January 15, 1680. After suffering numerous challenges and desertions, the French would name the fort Crève-coeur or “heartbreak” a few months later.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On January 15, 1865, Union forces captured the Confederate stronghold of Fort Fisher near Wilmington, North Carolina. Image: Capture of Fort Fisher (Second Battle of Fort Fisher). Troops led by Union Army Major General Alfred H. Terry fighting Confederates on January 15, 1865 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

“We’ve got to rediscover these precious values that we’ve left behind.”– Martin Luther King Jr.Martin Luther King Jr. was born on today’s date January 15, 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia.Image: Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Don McLean’s “American Pie” became the #1 song in the U.S. on January 15, 1972. Image of Don from the early 70s via Alamy

“Happy Days” premieres

On today’s date January 15, 1974: the first episode of “Happy Days” aired on Network TV.Image from the Happy Days episode “Guess Who’s Coming to Visit” that aired in early February 1974 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The French ship “Alice” which was carrying tons of cement and was wrecked one mile north of Ocean Park, WA, on January 15, 1909.Over time the cement hardened which allowed the vessel’s mast to remain upright for a number of years, until 1930. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On January 15, 1913, American actor Lloyd Bridges was born in San Leandro, California.Grace Kelly and Lloyd Bridges in a publicity photo for High Noon c. 1952 via Alamy

Gene Krupa, one of the most notable drummers in the history of American music, was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 15, 1909. Early in his career, in the late 1920s, Gene was hired to become a member of Thelma Terry and Her Playboys which is credited as the first notable American jazz band to be led by a female instrumentalist. Image of Gene in the 1940s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On January 15, 1919, a tank with a capacity of about 2 million gallons ruptured in Boston’s North End neighborhood, spewing forth a 25-foot wave of molasses. 21 people were killed, 150 injured, nearby buildings were destroyed, and tracks of the Boston Elevated Railway were damaged.Image via Wikipedia Commons, public domain in the US.

“The Ideal Brain Tonic – Delightful Summer and Winter Beverage – Specific for Headache, Relieves Mental & Physical Exhaustion” Coca-Cola advertisement from the late 1800sOn January 15, 1889, the Pemberton Medicine Company was incorporated. It became known as The Coca-Cola Company. Image from Angelo Mariani via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY SA 4.0

Happy Birthday to Margaret O’Brien, born January 15, 1937. O’Brien has acted on radio, television, stage and screen but it was her role in “Meet Me in St. Louis” that earned her a Juvenile Academy Award in 1944. The special Oscar was stolen in 1954 but was recovered and returned to her 40 years later.Image of 11 year-old actress Margaret O’Brien seated on suitcase holding a doll at Los Angeles Union Station, 1948 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US.

The first Modern Olympic gold medalist in the 100 and 400 meter sprints was American Thomas Edmund Burke. He was born on January 15, 1875 in Boston, Massachusetts. In his early 40s Burke served during WWI and became the oldest person in the U.S. Military to receive his aviator’s wings.Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On January 15, 1943 construction of The Pentagon was completed.Image from 2003 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain