2001
Wikipedia begins. The free online encyclopedia Wikipedia went live, with the idea that anyone could write and improve it.
Wikipedia: WikipediaPhoto: Version 1 by Nohat (concept by Paullusmagnus ); Wikimedia. / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
On this day
15 January in history.
5 moments from 1885 to 2001: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.
5 moments
More from 15 January
1885
The first photo of a snowflake
Farmer Wilson Bentley fixed a camera to a microscope and took the first known photograph of a single snowflake. He went on to photograph thousands more.
Wikipedia: Wilson BentleyWikipedia: Snowflake
Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1892
The rules of basketball
James Naismith published the 13 rules of basketball, the game he had invented a few weeks earlier for his students.
Wikipedia: James NaismithWikipedia: Rules of basketball
Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
1936
A building made of glass
In Toledo, Ohio, a building covered entirely in glass was completed for the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, the first of its kind.
Wikipedia: O-I GlassWikipedia: Toledo, Ohio
Photo: Jason Zhang / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
1962
Europe's oldest book is found
The Derveni papyrus was discovered in northern Greece. Dating from around 340 BC, it is the oldest surviving manuscript in Europe.
Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.