On This Day — August 16

🕰️ Notable Events on August 16

• 2017 — Minamata Convention on Mercury entered into force. Wikipedia ↗
• 2015 — More than 96 people are killed and hundreds injured following a series of air-raids by the Syrian Arab Air Force on the rebel-held market town of Douma. Wikipedia ↗
• 2013 — The ferry St. Thomas Aquinas collides with a cargo ship and sinks at Cebu, Philippines, killing 61 people with 59 others missing. Wikipedia ↗
• 2012 — South African police fatally shoot 34 miners and wound 78 more during an industrial dispute at Marikana near Rustenburg. Wikipedia ↗
• 2008 — The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago is topped off at 1,389 feet (423 m), at the time becoming the world's highest residence above ground-level. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — A solar flare from the Sun creates a geomagnetic storm that affects micro chips, leading to a halt of all trading on Toronto's stock market. Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Northwest Airlines Flight 255 a McDonnell Douglas MD-82 crashes after take off in Detroit, Michigan, killing 154 of the 155 on board, plus two people on the ground. Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — In an unsuccessful coup d'état attempt, the Royal Moroccan Air Force fires upon Hassan II of Morocco's plane while he is traveling back to Rabat. Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Vietnam War: The House Un-American Activities Committee begins investigations of Americans who have aided the Viet Cong. The committee intends to introduce legislation making these activities illegal. Anti-war demonstrators disrupt the meeting and 50 people are arrested. Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Vietnam War: A coup d'état replaces Dương Văn Minh with General Nguyễn Khánh as President of South Vietnam. A new constitution is established with aid from the U.S. Embassy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Eight years after the remaining French India territories were handed to India, the ratifications of the treaty are exchanged to make the transfer official. Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Pete Best is discharged from the Beatles, to be replaced two days later by Ringo Starr. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Cyprus gains its independence from the United Kingdom. Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Joseph Kittinger parachutes from a balloon over New Mexico at 102,800 feet (31,300 m), setting three records that held until 2012: High-altitude jump, free fall, and highest speed by a human without an aircraft. Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — The first issue of Sports Illustrated is published. Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Mass riots in Kolkata begin; more than 4,000 people would be killed in 72 hours. Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — The All Hyderabad Trade Union Congress is founded in Secunderabad. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — An assassination attempt is made on Japan's prime minister, Kantarō Suzuki. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — The National Representatives' Congress, the precursor of the current National Assembly of Vietnam, convenes in Sơn Dương. Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — First flight of the Junkers Ju 287. Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — World War II: The two-person crew of the U.S. naval blimp L-8 disappears without a trace on a routine anti-submarine patrol over the Pacific Ocean. The blimp drifts without her crew and crash-lands in Daly City, California. Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — The first color sound cartoon, called Fiddlesticks, is made by Ub Iwerks. Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — The first British Empire Games were opened in Hamilton, Ontario by the Governor General of Canada, the Viscount Willingdon. Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — The 1929 Palestine riots break out in Mandatory Palestine between Palestinian Arabs and Jews and continue until the end of the month. In total, 133 Jews and 116 Arabs are killed. Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — The Dole Air Race begins from Oakland, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, during which six out of the eight participating planes crash or disappear. Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — The United Kingdom gives the name "Ross Dependency" to part of its claimed Antarctic territory and makes the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand its administrator. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Ray Chapman of the Cleveland Indians is hit on the head by a fastball thrown by Carl Mays of the New York Yankees, and dies early the next day. Chapman was the second player to die from injuries sustained in a Major League Baseball game, the first being Doc Powers in 1909. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — The congress of the Communist Party of Bukhara opens. The congress would call for armed revolution. Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Polish-Soviet War: The Battle of Radzymin concludes; the Soviet Red Army is forced to turn away from Warsaw. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — The Battle of Lake Baikal was fought between the Czechoslovak Legion and the Red Army. Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — The Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States signed. Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Tōhoku Imperial University of Japan (modern day Tohoku University) becomes the first university in Japan to admit female students. Wikipedia ↗
• 1913 — Completion of the Royal Navy battlecruiser HMS Queen Mary. Wikipedia ↗
• 1906 — An estimated 8.2 MW earthquake hits Valparaíso, Chile, killing 3,886 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — The Battle of Elands River during the Second Boer War ends after a 13-day siege is lifted by the British. The battle had begun when a force of between 2,000 and 3,000 Boers had surrounded a force of 500 Australians, Rhodesians, Canadians and British soldiers at a supply dump at Brakfontein Drift. Wikipedia ↗
• 1896 — Skookum Jim Mason, George Carmack and Dawson Charlie discover gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada, setting off the Klondike Gold Rush. Wikipedia ↗
• 1891 — The Basilica of San Sebastian, Manila, the first all-steel church in Asia, is officially inaugurated and blessed. Wikipedia ↗
• 1870 — Franco-Prussian War: The Battle of Mars-la-Tour is fought, resulting in a Prussian victory. Wikipedia ↗
• 1869 — Battle of Acosta Ñu: A Paraguayan battalion made up of children is massacred by the Brazilian Army during the Paraguayan War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1863 — The Dominican Restoration War begins when Gregorio Luperón raises the Dominican flag in Santo Domingo after Spain had recolonized the country. Wikipedia ↗
• 1859 — The Tuscan National Assembly formally deposes the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. Wikipedia ↗
• 1858 — U.S. President James Buchanan inaugurates the new transatlantic telegraph cable by exchanging greetings with Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. However, a weak signal forces a shutdown of the service in a few weeks. Wikipedia ↗
• 1841 — U.S. President John Tyler vetoes a bill which called for the re-establishment of the Second Bank of the United States. Enraged Whig Party members riot outside the White House in the most violent demonstration on White House grounds in U.S. history. Wikipedia ↗
• 1819 — Peterloo Massacre: Seventeen people die and over 600 are injured in cavalry charges at a public meeting at St. Peter's Field, Manchester, England. Wikipedia ↗
• 1812 — War of 1812: American General William Hull surrenders Fort Detroit without a fight to the British Army. Wikipedia ↗
• 1793 — French Revolution: A levée en masse is decreed by the National Convention. Wikipedia ↗
• 1792 — Maximilien de Robespierre presents the petition of the Commune of Paris to the Legislative Assembly, which demanded the formation of a revolutionary tribunal. Wikipedia ↗
• 1780 — American Revolutionary War: Battle of Camden: The British defeat the Americans near Camden, South Carolina. Wikipedia ↗
• 1777 — American Revolutionary War: The Americans led by General John Stark rout British and Brunswick troops under Friedrich Baum at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York. Wikipedia ↗
• 1652 — Battle of Plymouth: Inconclusive naval action between the fleets of Michiel de Ruyter and George Ayscue in the First Anglo-Dutch War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1513 — Battle of the Spurs (Battle of Guinegate): King Henry VIII of England and his Imperial allies defeat French Forces who are then forced to retreat. Wikipedia ↗
• 1328 — The House of Gonzaga seizes power in the Duchy of Mantua, and will rule until 1708. Wikipedia ↗
• 963 — Nikephoros II Phokas is crowned emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Wikipedia ↗
• Wang Mang consolidates his power and is declared marshal of state. Emperor Ai of Han, who had died the previous day, had no heirs. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on August 16

• 1999 — Karen Chen, American figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1997 — Greyson Chance, American singer-songwriter and pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1996 — Caeleb Dressel, American swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Jesika Malečková, Czech tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1992 — Diego Schwartzman, Argentinian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — José Eduardo de Araújo, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Evanna Lynch, Irish actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Young Thug, American rapper Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Godfrey Oboabona, Nigerian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Wang Hao, Chinese race walker Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Moussa Sissoko, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Carey Price, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Yu Darvish, Japanese baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Cristin Milioti, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Matteo Anesi, Italian speed skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Candice Dupree, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Konstantin Vassiljev, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Nikolaos Zisis, Greek basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Roque Santa Cruz, Paraguayan footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Emerson Ramos Borges, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Vanessa Carlton, American singer-songwriter and pianist Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Bob Hardy, English bass player (Franz Ferdinand) Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Piet Rooijakkers, Dutch cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Raniere Silva dos Santos, Brazilian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Paul Gallacher, Scottish footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Eduardo Maiorino, Brazilian mixed martial artist and kick-boxer (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Ian Moran, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Ben Galea, Australian rugby league player and referee Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Pavel Královec, Czech football referee Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Didier Agathe, French footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Jonatan Johansson, Finnish footballer, coach, and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Pantelis Konstantinidis, Greek footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — George Stults, American model and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Álvaro Tardáguila, Uruguayan cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Guyanese cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Krisztina Egerszegi, Hungarian swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Iván Hurtado, Ecuadorian footballer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Damian Jackson, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Frankie Boyle, Scottish comedian and television host Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Stan Lazaridis, Australian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Emily Robison, American singer-songwriter and banjo player Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Bonnie Bernstein, American journalist and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Saif Ali Khan, Indian actor and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Manisha Koirala, Indian actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Mateja Svet, Slovenian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Wolfgang Tillmans, German photographer Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Arvind Kejriwal, Indian civil servant and politician, 7th Chief Minister of Delhi Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Mark Coyne, Australian rugby league player Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Ulrika Jonsson, Swedish journalist, actress, and author Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Eddie Olczyk, American ice hockey player, coach, and commentator Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Jimmy Arias, American tennis player and sportscaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Nigel Redman, English rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Barry Venison, English footballer and journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Aloísio Pires Alves, Brazilian footballer and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Christine Cavanaugh, American voice artist (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Steve Carell, American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Christian Okoye, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Angela Smith, English academic and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Timothy Hutton, American actor, producer and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Franz Welser-Möst, Austrian-American conductor and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Paul van Ass, Dutch field hockey coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Marc Sergeant, Belgian cyclist and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — José Luis Clerc, Argentinian tennis player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Oscar Collodo, Swiss-Italian rugby player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Diane Dodds, Northern Irish educator and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Madonna, American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Angela Bassett, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Tim Farriss, Australian guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — Laura Innes, American actress and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1957 — R. R. Patil, Indian lawyer and politician, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Vahan Hovhannisyan, Armenian soldier and politician (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — James Reilly, Irish surgeon and politician, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — James Cameron, Canadian director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — George Galloway, Scottish-English politician and broadcaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Kathie Lee Gifford, American talk show host, singer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — James "J.T." Taylor, American R&B singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, Nigerian businessman and politician, 13th President of Nigeria (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Hasely Crawford, Trinidadian runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Stockwell Day, Canadian businessman and politician, 15th Canadian Minister of International Trade Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Jeff Thomson, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Scott Asheton, American drummer (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Paul Pasqualoni, American football player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Bill Spooner, American guitarist and songwriter (The Tubes) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Earl Blumenauer, American politician, U.S. Representative from Oregon Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Barry Hay, Indian-born Dutch rock musician (Golden Earring) Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Mike Jorgensen, American baseball player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Pierre Reid, Canadian educator and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Joey Spampinato, American singer-songwriter and bass player (NRBQ) Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Carol Moseley Braun, American lawyer and politician, United States Ambassador to New Zealand Wikipedia ↗
• 1947 — Katharine Hamnett, English fashion designer Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Masoud Barzani, Iranian-Kurdish politician, President of Iraqi Kurdistan Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Lesley Ann Warren, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Bob Balaban, American actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Russell Brookes, English race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Suzanne Farrell, American ballerina and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Gary Loizzo, American guitarist, singer, recording engineer, and record producer (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1944 — Kevin Ayers, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1943 — Woody Peoples, American football player (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Lesley Turner Bowrey, Australian tennis player Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Barbara George, American R&B singer-songwriter (d. 2006) Wikipedia ↗
• 1942 — Robert Squirrel Lester, American soul singer (The Chi-Lites) (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — Bruce Beresford, Australian director and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Seán Brady, Irish cardinal Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Trevor McDonald, Trinidadian-English journalist and academic Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Billy Joe Shaver, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — Eric Weissberg, American singer, banjo player, and multi-instrumentalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — David Anderson, Canadian journalist, lawyer, and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — David Behrman, American composer and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Ian Deans, Canadian politician (d. 2016) Wikipedia ↗
• 1937 — Boris Rõtov, Estonian chess player (d. 1987) Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Anita Gillette, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Alan Hodgkinson, English footballer and coach (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Cliff Fletcher, Canadian businessman Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Andreas Stamatiadis, Greek footballer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Donnie Dunagan, American actor and soldier Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Diana Wynne Jones, English author (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Ketty Lester, American singer and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Pierre Richard, French actor, director, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — John Standing, English actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Dave Thomas, English-Welsh golfer and architect (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1934 — Sam Trimble, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Reiner Kunze, German poet and translator Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Tom Maschler, English author and publisher Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Julie Newmar, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1933 — Stuart Roosa, American colonel, pilot, and astronaut (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Robert Culp, American actor, director, and screenwriter (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Frank Gifford, American football player, sportscaster, and actor (d. 2015) Wikipedia ↗
• 1930 — Leslie Manigat, Haitian educator and politician, 43rd President of Haiti (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Bill Evans, American pianist and composer (d. 1980) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Helmut Rahn, German footballer (d. 2003) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Fritz Von Erich, American wrestler and trainer (d. 1997) Wikipedia ↗
• 1929 — Wyatt Tee Walker, American pastor, theologian, and activist Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Ann Blyth, American actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Eydie Gormé, American singer (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Ara Güler, Turkish photographer and journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1928 — Eddie Kirkland, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1927 — Lois Nettleton, American actress (d. 2008) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Willie Jones, American baseball player (d. 1983) Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — Mal Waldron, American pianist and composer (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Fess Parker, American actor (d. 2010) Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — Inez Voyce, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1923 — Millôr Fernandes, Brazilian journalist and playwright (d. 2012) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — James Casey, English comedian, radio scriptwriter and producer (d. 2011) Wikipedia ↗
• 1922 — Ernie Freeman, American pianist and bandleader (d. 2001) Wikipedia ↗
• 1920 — Charles Bukowski, German-American poet, novelist, and short story writer (d. 1994) Wikipedia ↗
• 1919 — Karl-Heinz Euling, German captain (d. 2014) Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on August 16 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on August 16

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Urs of Shaykh Bahaʾuddin Shah Naqshband ق