Last Updated: July 15, 2026
Today in History – July 15 holds special significance in history. It marks the end of India’s telegraph era, which had symbolized communication and information exchange for over a century and a half. The day is also associated with the birth anniversaries of several distinguished personalities who influenced social, political, judicial, and technological fields. In addition, World Youth Skills Day is observed globally on this date.
This article covers:
- Major historical events on July 15
- Famous personalities born on July 15
- National and international observances
- Important current affairs and competitive exam facts
Table of Contents
🌟 Top Highlights of July 15
- End of the Telegraph Era: India’s telegraph system, which served as a symbol of communication for 163 years, was officially shut down on July 15, 2013.
- Birth of Mother of Social Work in South India: July 15 is the birth anniversary of Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh, an iconic freedom fighter, social reformer, and founder of Andhra Mahila Sabha.
- Giants of Judiciary and Engineering: The day commemorates the birth anniversaries of eminent engineer Dr. K. L. Rao (Kanuri Lakshmana Rao) and Justice Koka Subba Rao, the 9th Chief Justice of India and the first Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
- Global Focus on Youth Employment: Celebration of World Youth Skills Day, highlighting the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment.
🗓️ Important Historical Events on July 15
1893 – Opening of the Rajahmundry–Vizianagaram Section of the East Coast State Railway
A significant milestone in the railway history of Andhra Pradesh, the Rajahmundry–Vizianagaram section of the East Coast State Railway was officially opened for public traffic on 15 July 1893. The first train reached Waltair (present-day Visakhapatnam) on the same day, marking the beginning of railway services in North Andhra.
2013 – Closure of the Telegraph System in India
Yielding to the fast-paced internet and mobile revolution, India’s 163-year-old state-run telegraph service, affectionately known as ‘Taar’ was permanently closed down by BSNL on July 15, 2013. Originally introduced in the 1850s, this iconic system was once the backbone of India’s communication network.
🎂 Famous Birthdays on July 15
| Year | Personality | Domain / Notable Achievement |
| 1820 | Akshay Kumar Dutta | One of the primary pioneers of the 19th-century Bengal Cultural Renaissance and noted writer. |
| 1899 | Kolachala Seetharamaiah | Internationally recognized research specialist and pioneer in Oil Technology, father of Chemmotology (the science of fuels, lubricants, and special fluids) |
| 1901 | Chelikani Venkata Rama Rao | Valiant freedom fighter and distinguished Member of the 1st Lok Sabha of independent India. |
| 1902 | Kanuri Lakshmana Rao (K.L. Rao) | Acclaimed engineer, father of India’s water management, and mastermind behind the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. |
| 1902 | Koka Subbarao | The historic first Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the 9th Chief Justice of India. |
| 1909 | Durgabai Deshmukh | Freedom fighter, social reformer, founder of Andhra Mahila Sabha, member of the Constituent Assembly and Planning Commission |
| 1920 | Kandala Subrahmanya Tilak | Freedom fighter, socialist leader, and Member of the historic 1st Lok Sabha. |
| 1922 | Leon Lederman | American experimental physicist who received the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research on neutrinos. |
| 1928 | Veeramachaneni Vimala Devi | Notable Communist Party of India leader and Member of the 3rd Lok Sabha from Eluru constituency. |
| 1933 | M.T. Vasudevan Nair | Legendary Malayalam novelist, screenplay writer, and recipient of the Jnanpith and Padma Bhushan awards. |
| 1941 | Ravela Sambasiva Rao | Academician, former Registrar of Acharya Nagarjuna University, and writer of ‘Kaviraju Vijayam’. |
| 1942 | Nedurumalli Rajyalakshmi | Two-time MLA from Venkatagiri constituency who served as the Minister for Women and Child Welfare in AP. |
📌 Other Notable Personalities: Veteran Indian freedom fighter and former Chief Minister of Kerala P. A. Thanu Pillai (1885), an inspiring freedom fighter and social worker from Andhra Pradesh Chebiyyam Sodemma (1895), Freedom fighter and political leader known for his relentless work towards Dalit upliftment Vemula Kurmaiah (1901), renowned Telugu playwright, screenwriter and film director D. V. Narasaraju (1920), and Telugu film director and writer V. N. Aditya (1972), known for films such as Manasantha Nuvve(2001) and Nenunnanu(2004), was also born on this day.
🕯️ Notable Death Anniversaries on July 15
- 2022 – Prathap Pothen: A versatile actor, director, and film producer who made remarkable contributions to Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema.
- 2023 – K. Jayaraman: Former veteran first-class Indian cricketer from Kerala and later served as a national selector.
📢 National & International Days Observed on July 15
- World Youth Skills Day: Designated by the United Nations to raise awareness about the critical need for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to tackle youth unemployment.
- Social Media Giving Day: A modern digital day that encourages users to leverage online social platforms to raise funds, drive charity, and support global philanthropic initiatives.
- World Plastic Surgery Day: World Plastic Surgery Day originated in India as National Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Day, launched by the Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) in 2011. The day promotes awareness about reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgery while celebrating the pioneering contributions of Sushruta, widely regarded as the Father of Plastic Surgery.
- Education Development Day (Tamil Nadu): Observed on the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna K. Kamaraj, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The day honors his revolutionary contributions to free education, the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and improving literacy in the state.
💡Did You Know?
- The Final Telegram in India: The last telegram sent in India before the entire service folded forever on July 15, 2013, was booked at the Central Telegraph Office in New Delhi and was addressed to corporate/political figure Rahul Gandhi.
- The Master of Water Resources: Dr. K.L. Rao, born on July 15, is revered as the “Father of Modern Indian Irrigation.” His engineering brilliance made him so indispensable that he served as Union Minister of Irrigation and Power, for over a decade under three different Prime Ministers (Nehru, Shastri, and Indira Gandhi), anchoring massive projects like the Nagarjuna Sagar, Prakasam Barrage and Bhakra Nangal dams.
❓Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What UN international day is celebrated annually on July 15?
Ans: World Youth Skills Day is celebrated globally every year on July 15 to focus on vocational skills for youth.
Q2: When was the telegraph service officially discontinued in India?
Ans: The Indian telegraph system was officially shut down on July 15, 2013
Q3: Who founded Andhra Mahila Sabha and when was she born?
Ans: Dr. Durgabai Deshmukh is the founder of Andhra Mahila Sabha, and her birth anniversary is observed on July 15 (born in 1909).
Q4: In which field did Leon Lederman receive the Nobel Prize?
Ans: He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Q5: When was the Rajahmundry–Vizianagaram section of the East Coast State Railway opened?
Ans: The Rajahmundry–Vizianagaram section of the East Coast State Railway was officially opened for public traffic on July 15, 1893. On the same day, the first train reached Waltair (present-day Visakhapatnam).
Q6: Who was the first Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court who later became the 9th Chief Justice of India?
Ans: Justice Koka Subbarao, born on July 15, 1902, served as the first Chief Justice of AP High Court and later as the 9th Chief Justice of India.
Q7: When is National Plastic Surgery Day celebrated in India?
Ans: National Plastic Surgery Day is celebrated every year on July 15 across the country.
Q8: Who is known as the Father of Plastic Surgery?
Ans: Sushruta, the ancient Indian surgeon, is widely regarded as the Father of Plastic Surgery.
Q9: When is World Plastic Surgery Day observed?
Ans: World Plastic Surgery Day is observed annually on July 15.
