On This Day in History — July 16

Highlights of July 16

• 2013 — At least 23 students died and dozens more fell ill at a primary school in the Indian state of Bihar after consuming a Midday Meal that was contaminated with pesticide. Read more
• 2008 — A tainted milk powder scandal broke in China which ultimately involved an estimated 300,000 victims, the vast majority infants, with 54,000 hospitalized with kidney problems and six deaths. Read more
• 2007 — A magnitude-6.6 earthquake struck off the coast of Niigata Prefecture, Japan, causing a leak of radioactive gases from the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant. Read more
• 2004 — Millennium Park, a public park in Chicago, Illinois, and one of the world's largest rooftop gardens, opened to the public. Read more
• 2003 — A faction of the armed forces of São Tomé and Príncipe led by Major Fernando Pereira overthrew the government of Fradique de Menezes in a bloodless coup d'état. Read more
• 1994 — Fragments of Comet Shoemaker–Levy 9 began colliding with the planet Jupiter , with the first impact causing a fireball that reached a peak temperature of 24,000 kelvin. Read more
• 1990 — A 7.8 MS earthquake struck the densely populated Philippine island of Luzon, killing an estimated 1,621 people. Read more
• 1983 — A Sikorsky S-61 helicopter operated by British Airways crashed in thick fog in the Celtic Sea, killing 20 of the 26 people on board. Read more
• 1965 — South Vietnamese Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo (pictured)—an undetected communist spy—was reported dead due to injuries sustained during his capture, but it is generally assumed he was killed on the orders of military officials. Read more
• 1951 — The Catcher in the Rye (cover pictured), an American coming-of-age novel by J. D. Salinger, was published by Little, Brown. Read more
• 1950 — Korean War: A Korean People's Army unit massacred 31 prisoners of war of the U.S. Army on a mountain near the village of Tuman. Read more
• 1950 — Uruguay won the decisive match of the fourth FIFA World Cup, defeating Brazil 2–1 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Read more
• 1945 — The United States conducted the first detonation of a nuclear weapon during the Trinity test (pictured). Read more
• 1931 — Ethiopian emperor Haile Selassie promulgated the nation's first modern constitution. Read more
• 1916 — Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem was first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum. Read more
• 1790 — President George Washington signed the Residence Act, selecting a new permanent site along the Potomac River for the capital of the United States, which later became Washington, D.C. Read more
• 1782 — Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera Die Entführung aus dem Serail premiered in Vienna, after which Emperor Joseph II anecdotally remarked that it had "too many notes". Read more
• 1377 — The ten-year-old Richard II was crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey. Read more
• 1232 — Muhammad ibn Yusuf, who later established the Emirate of Granada, the last Muslim state in Spain, was elected the ruler of Arjona. Read more

Events

• 2019 — A 100-year-old building in Mumbai, India, collapses, killing at least 10 people and leaving many others trapped. Read more
• 2015 — Four U.S. Marines and a United States Navy Sailor are killed in the a shooting spree targeting military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Read more
• 2013 — As many as 27 children die and 25 others are hospitalized after eating lunch served at their school in eastern India. Read more
• 2013 — Syrian civil war: The Battle of Ras al-Ayn resumes between the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Islamist forces, beginning the Rojava–Islamist conflict. Read more
• 2009 — Teoh Beng Hock, an aide to a politician in Malaysia is found dead on the rooftop of a building adjacent to the offices of the Anti-Corruption Commission, sparking an inquest that gains nationwide attention. Read more
• 2007 — An earthquake of magnitude 6.8 and 6.6 aftershock occurs off the Niigata coast of Japan killing eight people, injuring at least 800 and damaging a nuclear power plant. Read more
• 2005 — An Antonov An-24 crashes near Baney in Bioko Norte, Equatorial Guinea, killing 60 people. Read more
• 1994 — The comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 is destroyed in a head-on collision with Jupiter. Read more
• 1990 — The Luzon earthquake strikes the Philippines with an intensity of 7.7, affecting Benguet, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, La Union, Aurora, Bataan, Zambales and Tarlac. Read more
• 1990 — The Parliament of the Ukrainian SSR declares state sovereignty over the territory of the Ukrainian SSR. Read more
• 1983 — Sikorsky S-61 disaster: A helicopter crashes off the Isles of Scilly, causing 20 fatalities. Read more
• 1979 — Iraqi President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr resigns and is replaced by Saddam Hussein. Read more
• 1969 — The Apollo 11 lunar landing mission is launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida, USA. Read more
• 1965 — The Mont Blanc Tunnel linking France and Italy opens. Read more
• 1965 — South Vietnamese Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a formerly undetected communist spy and double agent, is hunted down and killed by unknown individuals after being sentenced to death in absentia for a February 1965 coup attempt against Nguyễn Khánh. Read more
• 1957 — KLM Flight 844 crashes off the Schouten Islands in present day Indonesia (then Netherlands New Guinea), killing 58 people. Read more
• 1951 — King Leopold III of Belgium abdicates in favor of his son, Baudouin of Belgium. Read more
• 1951 — J. D. Salinger publishes his popular yet controversial novel, The Catcher in the Rye. Read more
• 1950 — Chaplain–Medic massacre: American POWs are massacred by North Korean Army. Read more
• 1950 — Uruguay beats hosts Brazil 2–1 to win the World Cup in a match dubbed as the Maracanazo. Read more
• 1948 — Following token resistance, the city of Nazareth, revered by Christians as the hometown of Jesus, capitulates to Israeli troops during Operation Dekel in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Read more
• 1948 — The storming of the cockpit of the Miss Macao passenger seaplane, operated by a subsidiary of the Cathay Pacific Airways, marks the first aircraft hijacking of a commercial plane. Read more
• 1945 — Manhattan Project: The Atomic Age begins when the United States successfully detonates a plutonium-based test nuclear weapon near Alamogordo, New Mexico. Read more
• 1942 — Holocaust: Vel' d'Hiv Roundup (Rafle du Vel' d'Hiv): The government of Vichy France orders the mass arrest of 13,152 Jews who are held at the Vélodrome d'Hiver in Paris before deportation to Auschwitz. Read more
• 1935 — The world's first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Read more
• 1931 — Emperor Haile Selassie signs the first constitution of Ethiopia. Read more
• 1927 — Augusto César Sandino leads a raid on U.S. Marines and Nicaraguan Guardia Nacional that had been sent to apprehend him in the village of Ocotal, but is repulsed by one of the first dive-bombing attacks in history. Read more
• 1916 — Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem is first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum. Read more
• 1915 — Henry James becomes a British citizen to highlight his commitment to Britain during the first World War. Read more
• 1915 — At Treasure Island on the Delaware River in the United States, the First Order of the Arrow ceremony takes place and the Order of the Arrow is founded to honor American Boy Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. Read more
• 1910 — John Robertson Duigan makes the first flight of the Duigan pusher biplane, the first aircraft built in Australia. Read more
• 1909 — Persian Constitutional Revolution: Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar is forced out as Shah of Persia and is replaced by his son Ahmad Shah Qajar. Read more
• 1877 — The Imperial Russian army under Grand Duke Nicholas defeats the Ottoman army and takes the city of Nikopol (modern Bulgaria). Read more
• 1862 — American Civil War: David Farragut is promoted to rear admiral, becoming the first officer in United States Navy to hold an admiral rank. Read more
• 1861 — American Civil War: At the order of President Abraham Lincoln, Union troops begin a 25-mile march into Virginia for what will become the First Battle of Bull Run, the first major land battle of the war. Read more
• 1858 — The last apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France. Read more
• 1849 — Antonio María Claret y Clará founds the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, popularly known as the Claretians in Vic, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Read more
• 1809 — The city of La Paz, in what is today Bolivia, declares its independence from the Spanish Crown during the La Paz revolution and forms the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Spanish America, led by Pedro Domingo Murillo. Read more
• 1790 — The District of Columbia is established as the capital of the United States after signature of the Residence Act. Read more
• 1779 — American Revolutionary War: Light infantry of the Continental Army seize a fortified British Army position in a midnight bayonet attack at the Battle of Stony Point. Read more
• 1769 — Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Over the following decades, it evolves into the city of San Diego, California. Read more
• 1683 — Manchu Qing dynasty naval forces under commander Shi Lang defeat the Kingdom of Tungning in the Battle of Penghu near the Pescadores Islands. Read more
• 1661 — The first banknotes in Europe are issued by the Swedish bank Stockholms Banco. Read more
• 1536 — Jacques Cartier, navigator and explorer, returns home to St. Malo after claiming Stadacona (Quebec), Hochelaga (Montreal) and the River of Canada (St. Lawrence River) region for France. Read more
• 1377 — King Richard II of England is crowned. Read more
• 1251 — Celebrated by the Carmelite Order–but doubted by modern historians–as the day when Saint Simon Stock had a vision of the Virgin Mary. Read more
• 1232 — The Spanish town of Arjona declares independence and names its native Muhammad ibn Yusuf as ruler. This marks the Muhammad's first rise to prominence; he later established the Nasrid Emirate of Granada, the last independent Muslim state in Spain. Read more
• 1212 — Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa: After Pope Innocent III calls European knights to a crusade, the forces of kings Alfonso VIII of Castile, Sancho VII of Navarre, Peter II of Aragon and Afonso II of Portugal defeat those of the Berber Muslim leader Almohad, thus marking a significant turning point in the Reconquista and in the medieval history of Spain. Read more
• 1054 — Three Roman legates place - acting illegally on their own authority - a bull of excommunication against Michael I Cerularius, the patriarch of Constantinople, and his followers on the altar of Hagia Sophia during Saturday afternoon divine liturgy. Historians frequently describe the event as the formal start of the East–West Schism. Read more
• 997 — Battle of Spercheios: Bulgarian forces of Tsar Samuel are defeated by a Byzantine army under general Nikephoros Ouranos at the Spercheios River in Greece. Read more
• 622 — The Hijrah of Muhammad begins, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar. Read more

Born on July 16

• 2004 — Amiah Miller, American actress and model Read more
• 2001 — Island Boys, American social media personalities Read more
• 1999 — Jarred Kelenic, American baseball player Read more
• 1996 — Kevin Abstract, American rapper and singer-songwriter Read more
• 1996 — Luke Hemmings, Australian singer and musician Read more
• 1996 — Cooper Koch, American actor Read more
• 1994 — Shericka Jackson, Jamaican sprinter Read more
• 1992 — Safiya Nygaard, American YouTuber Read more
• 1991 — Dylan Grimes, Australian Rules footballer Read more
• 1991 — Nate Schmidt, American ice hockey player Read more
• 1991 — Alexandra Shipp, American actress and singer Read more
• 1990 — James Maslow, American actor, singer and dancer Read more
• 1990 — Wizkid, Nigerian singer and songwriter Read more
• 1990 — Johann Zarco, French motorcycle racer Read more
• 1989 — Gareth Bale, Welsh footballer Read more
• 1988 — Sergio Busquets, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1987 — Mousa Dembélé, Belgian footballer Read more
• 1987 — AnnaLynne McCord, American actress and producer Read more
• 1987 — Knowshon Moreno, American football player Read more
• 1986 — Misako Uno, Japanese actress, singer, and fashion designer Read more
• 1985 — Mārtiņš Kravčenko, Latvian basketball player Read more
• 1984 — Hayanari Shimoda, Japanese racing driver Read more
• 1984 — Attila Szabó, Hungarian decathlete Read more
• 1983 — Katrina Kaif, British Indian actress and model Read more
• 1983 — Duncan Keith, Canadian ice hockey player Read more
• 1982 — André Greipel, German cyclist Read more
• 1982 — Carli Lloyd, American soccer player Read more
• 1982 — Michael Umaña, Costa Rican footballer Read more
• 1981 — Giuseppe Di Masi, Italian footballer Read more
• 1981 — Robert Kranjec, Slovenian ski jumper Read more
• 1981 — Zach Randolph, American basketball player Read more
• 1981 — Vicente Rodríguez, Spanish footballer Read more
• 1980 — Adam Scott, Australian golfer Read more
• 1979 — Jayma Mays, American actress Read more
• 1979 — Chris Mihm, American basketball player Read more
• 1979 — Kim Rhode, American sport shooter Read more
• 1979 — Konstantin Skrylnikov, Russian footballer Read more
• 1977 — Bryan Budd, Northern Ireland-born English soldier, Victoria Cross recipient (died 2006) Read more
• 1976 — Tomasz Kuchar, Polish racing driver Read more
• 1976 — Bobby Lashley, American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist Read more

Died on July 16

• 2025 — Connie Francis, American singer and actress (born 1937) Read more
• 2024 — Joe Bryant, American basketball player (born 1954) Read more
• 2024 — Norm Hewitt, New Zealand rugby union player (born 1968) Read more
• 2024 — David Morrow, Australian radio host and sportscaster (born 1953) Read more
• 2023 — Kevin Mitnick, American hacker (born 1963) Read more
• 2023 — Jane Birkin, British model, actress, singer, and songwriter (born 1944) Read more
• 2021 — Biz Markie, American rapper (born 1964) Read more
• 2020 — Tony Taylor, Cuban baseball player (born 1935) Read more
• 2019 — John Paul Stevens, American lawyer and jurist, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (born 1920) Read more
• 2017 — George A. Romero, American filmmaker (born 1940) Read more
• 2015 — Denis Avey, English soldier, engineer, and author (born 1919) Read more
• 2015 — Evelyn Ebsworth, English chemist and academic (born 1933) Read more
• 2015 — Alcides Ghiggia, Uruguayan footballer and manager (born 1926) Read more
• 2015 — Jack Goody, English anthropologist, author, and academic (born 1919) Read more
• 2014 — Karl Albrecht, German businessman, co-founded Aldi (born 1920) Read more
• 2014 — Mary Ellen Otremba, American educator and politician (born 1950) Read more
• 2014 — Johnny Winter, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (born 1944) Read more
• 2014 — Heinz Zemanek, Austrian computer scientist and academic (born 1920) Read more
• 2013 — Talia Castellano, American internet celebrity (born 1999) Read more
• 2013 — Alex Colville, Canadian painter and academic (born 1920) Read more
• 2013 — Marv Rotblatt, American baseball player (born 1927) Read more
• 2012 — William Asher, American director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1921) Read more
• 2012 — Stephen Covey, American businessman and author (born 1932) Read more
• 2012 — Gilbert Esau, American businessman and politician (born 1919) Read more
• 2012 — Ed Lincoln, Brazilian bassist, pianist, and composer (born 1932) Read more
• 2012 — Masaharu Matsushita, Japanese businessman (born 1913) Read more
• 2012 — Kitty Wells, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1919) Read more
• 2011 — Forrest Blue, American football player (born 1944) Read more
• 2008 — Jo Stafford, American singer (born 1917) Read more
• 2008 — Lindsay Thompson, Australian politician, 40th Premier of Victoria (born 1923) Read more
• 2007 — Caterina Bueno, Italian singer and historian (born 1943) Read more
• 2006 — Winthrop Paul Rockefeller, American businessman and politician, 13th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas (born 1948) Read more
• 2005 — Pietro Consagra, Italian sculptor (born 1920) Read more
• 2005 — Camillo Felgen, Luxembourgian singer-songwriter and radio host (born 1920) Read more
• 2004 — George Busbee, American lawyer and politician, 77th Governor of Georgia (born 1927) Read more
• 2004 — Charles Sweeney, American general and pilot (born 1919) Read more
• 2003 — Celia Cruz, Cuban-American singer and actress (born 1925) Read more
• 2003 — Carol Shields, American-Canadian novelist and short story writer (born 1935) Read more
• 2002 — John Cocke, American computer scientist and engineer (born 1925) Read more
• 2001 — Terry Gordy, American professional wrestler (born 1961) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: André de Soveral; Christian feast day: Gondulphus of Tongeren; Christian feast day: Helier; Christian feast day: Blessed Irmgard of Chiemsee; Christian feast day: Marie-Madeleine Postel; Christian feast day: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Fiesta de La Tirana (Tarapacá Region, Chile); Christian feast day: Reineldis; Christian feast day: Sisenandus of Beja; Christian feast day: July 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Engineer's Day (Honduras); Holocaust Memorial Day (France)

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