December 15American forces at the Battle of Arawe1796 War of the First Coalition: The French navy launched an expedition to Ireland to assist the Society of United Irishmen in a rebellion against the British.1871 Sixteen-year-old Ella Stewart sent the first telegraphed message from Arizona Territory.1943 World WarII: Australian and American forces (pictured) began the Battle of Arawe against Japanese forces on New Britain as a diversion before a larger landing at Cape Gloucester.1970 The Soviet spacecraft Venera7 touched down on the surface of Venus, making the first successful landing of a spacecraft on another planet.2013 The South Sudanese Civil War began when three opposition leaders voted to boycott the meeting of the National Liberation Council in Juba.Izaak Walton (d.1683)Arthur Dehon Little (b.1863)John Meurig Thomas (b.1932)Len Febres Cordero (d.2008)More anniversaries: December 14December 15December 16ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout