On this Day in History: March 15

A closer look at the key events on March 15 in history:

In 2019, students protest on climate change around the world

On March 15, more than 1.5 million students around 125 countries took part in the Global Climate Strike for Future. This mass initiative was part of Fridays for Future, a movement started by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg.

Fridays for Future, Città di Parma, March 15, 2019. Wikimedia Commons

In 1972, Francis Coppola’s The Godfather premiers

The movie features an epic drama about organized crime, starring Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. It received universal acclaim and went on to win multiple accolades including Academy Awards.

Don Corleone in the Godfather. Komers Real

In 1917, the last emperor of Russia abdicates

Nicholas II of Russia succeeded his father as tsar in 1894. Following World War I, he was forced to abdicate and became detained with his family during the the Russian Revolution of 1917. Plans to flee to England were overruled by the Bolsheviks and the family was sent to the city of Yekaterinburg, where they were executed in July 1918.

Nicholas II of Russia with the family (left to right): Anastasia, Alexei, Maria, Alexandra Fyodorovna, Nicholas II, Olga, and Tatiana. 1906. Wikimedia Commons

In 44 BCE, Julius Caesar is assassinated

Roman dictator Julius Caesar was in the midst of launching a series of political and social reforms when he was assassinated in the Senate House on the Ides of March by a group of nobles, led by Cassius and Brutus.