Today in History: March 15

The Ides of March, Idus Martii or Idus Martiae in Latin, …

Gaius Julius Caesar, /ˈɡaː.i.ʊs ˈjuː.li.ʊs ˈkae̯.sar/ in Classical Latin, was Roman general and Dictator of the Roman Republic.

Julius Caesar’s full name was Imperator Gaius Iulius Gaii filius Gaii nepos Caesar Patris Patriae (“Imperator Gaius Julius Caesar, son of Gaius, grandson of Gaius, Father of his Country”), pronounced /ɪm.pɛˈraː.tɔr ˈgaː.i.ʊs ˈjuː.li.ʊs ˈgaː.i.iː ˈfiː.li.ʊs ˈgaː.i.iː ˈnɛ.poːs ˈkae̯.sar ˈpa.trɪs ˈpa.tri.ae̯/. His official name after deification in 42 BCE was Divus Iulius (“The Divine Julius”).

Saint Nicholas, known as Ἅγιος Νικόλαος (Hagios Nikólaos) in Greek and Sanctus Nicolaus in Latin), is also called Nikolaos of Myra. He was an historic 4th-century Greek Bishop of Myra, in Asia Minor (modern-day Demre, Turkey). As the Bishop of Myra, he attended the First Council of Nicaea and became a signer of the Nicene Creed. Because of the many miracles attributed to his intercession, he is also known as Nikolaos the Wonderworker (Νικόλαος ὁ Θαυματουργός, Nikolaos ho Thaumaturgos).

Remembered for his role in bringing about apparent miracles and for his frequent, secret bestowal of gifts, Saint Nicholas inspired the modern Santa Claus character traditionally associated with the Christmas holiday.

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of

Saint Nicholas is commemorated and revered among Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox Christians. In addition, some Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed churches have been named in honor of Saint Nicholas.

1,900 British troops under General Charles Cornwallis defeated an American force of 4,400 near present-day Greensboro, North Carolina.

Carpatho-Ukraine, Карпа́тська Украї́на (Karpats’ka Ukrayina) in Ukrainian, pronounced /kɐrˈpɑtsʲkɐ ukrɐˈjinɐ/, was an autonomous region within Czechoslovakia from late 1938 to March 15, 1939. It declared itself an independent republic on March 15, 1939, but was annexed by Hungary on March 16, 1939. The region remained under Hungarian control until the end of World War II, when it was ceded to the Soviet Union. The territory is now administered as Zakarpattia Oblast in Ukraine.

Kobayashi is a Japanese competitive eater, holding several records, including four Guinness Records, for eating hot dogs, meatballs, Twinkies, hamburgers, and pasta. He holds the world record for eating cow brains with 17.7 pounds of cow brains in 15 minutes.