On This Day — March 16

🕰️ Notable Events on March 16

• 2016 — A bomb detonates in a bus carrying government employees in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing 15 and injuring at least 54. Wikipedia ↗
• 2016 — Two suicide bombers detonate their explosives at a mosque during morning prayer on the outskirts of Maiduguri, Nigeria, killing 22 and injuring 18. Wikipedia ↗
• 2014 — Crimea votes in a controversial referendum to secede from Ukraine to join Russia. Wikipedia ↗
• 2005 — Israel officially hands over Jericho to Palestinian control. Wikipedia ↗
• 1995 — Mississippi formally ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment, becoming the last state to approve the abolition of slavery. The Thirteenth Amendment was officially ratified in 1865. Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — The airplane carrying eight members of Reba McEntire's touring band crashed on the side of Otay Mountain. Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — In Egypt, a 4,400-year-old mummy is found near the Pyramid of Cheops. Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Iran-Contra affair: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and Vice Admiral John Poindexter are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Halabja chemical attack: The Kurdish town of Halabja in Iraq is attacked with a mix of poison gas and nerve agents on the orders of Saddam Hussein, killing 5000 people and injuring about 10000 people. Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — The Troubles: Ulster loyalist militant Michael Stone attacks a Provisional IRA funeral in Belfast with pistols and grenades. A PIRA volunteer and two civilians are killed, and more than 60 others are wounded. Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Associated Press newsman Terry Anderson is taken hostage in Beirut. He is released on December 4, 1991. Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — William Buckley, the CIA station chief in Beirut, Lebanon, is kidnapped by Islamic fundamentalists. (He later dies in captivity.) Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Demolition of the Ismaning radio transmitter, the last wooden radio tower in Germany. Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Sino-Vietnamese War: The People's Liberation Army crosses the border back into China, ends the war. Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Former Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro is kidnapped. (He is later murdered by his captors.) Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Supertanker Amoco Cadiz splits in two after running aground on the Portsall Rocks, three miles off the coast of Brittany, resulting in the largest oil spill in history at that time. Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Assassination of Kamal Jumblatt, the main leader of the anti-government forces in the Lebanese Civil War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — British Prime Minister Harold Wilson resigns, citing personal reasons. Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — A Viasa McDonnell Douglas DC-9 crashes in Maracaibo, Venezuela, killing 155. Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Vietnam War: My Lai Massacre occurs; between 347 and 500 Vietnamese villagers (men, women, and children) are killed by American troops. Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — General Motors produces its 100 millionth automobile, the Oldsmobile Toronado. Wikipedia ↗
• 1966 — Launch of Gemini 8, the 12th manned American space flight and first space docking with the Agena target vehicle. Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — A Flying Tiger Line Super Constellation disappears in the western Pacific Ocean, with all 107 aboard missing and presumed dead. Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — The Ford Motor Company produces its 50 millionth automobile, the Thunderbird, averaging almost a million cars a year since the company's founding. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — World War II: The Battle of Iwo Jima ended, but small pockets of Japanese resistance persisted. Wikipedia ↗
• 1945 — Ninety percent of Würzburg, Germany is destroyed in only 20 minutes by British bombers, resulting in around 5,000 deaths. Wikipedia ↗
• 1940 — First person killed (James Isbister) in a German bombing raid on the UK in World War II during a raid on Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands. Wikipedia ↗
• 1939 — From Prague Castle, Hitler proclaims Bohemia and Moravia a German protectorate. Wikipedia ↗
• 1936 — Warmer-than-normal temperatures rapidly melt snow and ice on the upper Allegheny and Monongahela rivers, leading to a major flood in Pittsburgh. Wikipedia ↗
• 1935 — Adolf Hitler orders Germany to rearm herself in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Conscription is reintroduced to form the Wehrmacht. Wikipedia ↗
• 1926 — History of Rocketry: Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket, at Auburn, Massachusetts. Wikipedia ↗
• 1925 — An earthquake occurs in Yunnan, China. Wikipedia ↗
• 1924 — In accordance with the Treaty of Rome, Fiume becomes annexed as part of Italy. Wikipedia ↗
• 1918 — Finnish Civil War: Battle of Länkipohja is infamous for its bloody aftermath as the Whites executed 70-100 capitulated Reds. Wikipedia ↗
• 1917 — World War I: A German auxiliary cruiser is sunk in the Action of 16 March 1917. Wikipedia ↗
• 1916 — The 7th and 10th US cavalry regiments under John J. Pershing cross the US-Mexico border to join the hunt for Pancho Villa. Wikipedia ↗
• 1900 — Sir Arthur Evans purchased the land around the ruins of Knossos, the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. Wikipedia ↗
• 1894 — Jules Massenet's opera Thaïs is first performed. Wikipedia ↗
• 1872 — The Wanderers F.C. won the first FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, beating Royal Engineers A.F.C. 1-0 at The Oval in Kennington, London. Wikipedia ↗
• 1870 — The first version of the overture fantasy Romeo and Juliet by Tchaikovsky receives its première performance. Wikipedia ↗
• 1865 — American Civil War: The Battle of Averasborough began as Confederate forces suffer irreplaceable casualties in the final months of the war. Wikipedia ↗
• 1864 — American Civil War: During the Red River Campaign, Union troops reach Alexandria, Louisiana. Wikipedia ↗
• 1818 — In the Second Battle of Cancha Rayada, Spanish forces defeated Chileans under José de San Martín. Wikipedia ↗
• 1815 — Prince Willem proclaims himself King of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands, the first constitutional monarch in the Netherlands. Wikipedia ↗
• 1812 — The Siege of Badajoz begins: British and Portuguese forces besiege and defeat the French garrison during the Peninsular War. Wikipedia ↗
• 1802 — The Army Corps of Engineers is established to found and operate the United States Military Academy at West Point. Wikipedia ↗
• 1797 — French Revolutionary Wars: An Austrian column is defeated by the French in the Battle of Valvasone. Wikipedia ↗
• 1792 — King Gustav III of Sweden is shot; he dies on March 29. Wikipedia ↗
• 1782 — American Revolutionary War: Spanish troops capture the British-held island of Roatán. Wikipedia ↗
• 1782 — Anglo-Spanish War (1779): Action of 16 March 1782 Wikipedia ↗
• 1689 — The 23rd Regiment of Foot, or Royal Welch Fusiliers, is founded. Wikipedia ↗
• 1660 — The Long Parliament of England is dissolved so as to prepare for the new Convention Parliament. Wikipedia ↗
• 1621 — Samoset, a Mohegan, visited the settlers of Plymouth Colony and greets them, "Welcome, Englishmen! My name is Samoset." Wikipedia ↗
• 1521 — Ferdinand Magellan reaches the island of Homonhon in the Philippines. Wikipedia ↗
• 1322 — The Battle of Boroughbridge take place in the Despenser Wars. Wikipedia ↗
• 1244 — Over 200 Cathars are burned after the Fall of Montségur. Wikipedia ↗
• 1190 — Massacre of Jews at Clifford's Tower, York. Wikipedia ↗
• 934 — Meng Zhixiang declares himself emperor and establishes Later Shu as a new state independent of Later Tang. Wikipedia ↗
• 455 — Emperor Valentinian III is assassinated by two Hunnic retainers while training with the bow on the Campus Martius (Rome). Wikipedia ↗
• Babylonians capture Jerusalem, and replace Jeconiah with Zedekiah as king. Wikipedia ↗

🎂 Notable Births on March 16

• 1997 — Florian Neuhaus, German football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1995 — Inga Janulevičiūtė, Lithuanian figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1994 — Joel Embiid, Cameroonian basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — George Ford, English rugby union player Wikipedia ↗
• 1993 — Marine Lorphelin, Miss France Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Reggie Bullock, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1991 — Wolfgang Van Halen, American bassist Wikipedia ↗
• 1990 — Andre Young, basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Blake Griffin, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Jung So-min, Korean actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Magalie Pottier, French racing cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1989 — Theo Walcott, English footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Jessica Gregg, Canadian speed skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1988 — Patrick Herrmann, German footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1987 — Fabien Lemoine, French football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Alexandra Daddario, American actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Toney Douglas, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Kenny Dykstra, American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — T. J. Jordan, American basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Boaz Solossa, Indonesian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1986 — Daisuke Takahashi, Japanese figure skater Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Teddy Atine-Venel, French athlete Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Eddy Lover, Panamanian singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1985 — Aleksei Sokirskiy, Russian hammer thrower Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Levi Brown, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Aisling Bea, Irish comedienne and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Sharon Cherop, Kenyan long-distance runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Michael Ennis, Australian rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Hosea Gear, New Zealand rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1984 — Brandon Prust, Canadian ice hockey player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Stephen Drew, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Brandon League, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Nicolas Rousseau, French road bicycle racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1983 — Tramon Williams, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Miguel Comminges, Guadeloupean footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Riley Cote, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Tommy Hansen, Czech actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Jesús Del Nero, Spanish road bicycle racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1982 — Brian Wilson, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Andrew Bree, Irish swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Curtis Granderson, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Julien Mazet, French road bicycle racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1981 — Fabiana Murer, Brazilian pole vaulter Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Todd Heap, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1980 — Felipe Reyes, Spanish basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Christina Liebherr, Swiss equestrian Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Rashad Moore, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Sébastien Ostertag, French handball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Leena Peisa, Finnish keyboard player and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1979 — Andrei Stepanov, Estonian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Brooke Burns, American fashion model and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1978 — Annett Renneberg, German actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Mónica Cruz, Spanish actress and dancer Wikipedia ↗
• 1977 — Thomas Rupprath, German swimmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Blu Cantrell, American singer-songwriter and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Leila Lejeune, French handballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Susanne Ljungskog, Swedish cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Abraham Núñez, Dominican baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1976 — Zhu Chen, Qatari chess Grandmaster Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Luciano Castro, Argentine actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Sienna Guillory, English model and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1975 — Lionel Torres, French archer Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Georgios Anatolakis, Greek footballer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Anne Charrier, French actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1974 — Heath Streak, Zimbabwean cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Andrey Mizurov, Kazakhstani road bicycle racer Wikipedia ↗
• 1973 — Vonda Ward, American boxer Wikipedia ↗
• 1972 — Ismaïl Sghyr, French-Moroccan long-distance runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Franck Comba, French rugby player Wikipedia ↗
• 1971 — Alan Tudyk, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1970 — Joakim Berg, Swedish singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Judah Friedlander, American comedian and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Ottis Gibson, Barbadian cricketer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Alina Ivanova, Russian athlete Wikipedia ↗
• 1969 — Evangelos Koronios, Greek basketball player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1968 — Trevor Wilson, American basketball player and police officer Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Tracy Bonham, American singer and violinist Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — John Darnielle, American musician and novelist Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Lauren Graham, American actress and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Ronnie McCoury, American bluegrass mandolin player, singer and songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1967 — Heidi Zurbriggen, Swiss alpine skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Steve Armstrong, American wrestler Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Cindy Brown, basketball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Mark Carney, Canadian-English economist and banker Wikipedia ↗
• 1965 — Cristiana Reali, Italian-Brazilian actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Patty Griffin, American singer-songwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Pascal Richard, Swiss racing cyclist Wikipedia ↗
• 1964 — Gore Verbinski, American director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Jerome Flynn, English actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1963 — Kevin Smith, New Zealand actor and singer (d. 2002) Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Franck Fréon, French race car driver Wikipedia ↗
• 1962 — Liliane Gaschet, French athlete Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Brett Kenny, Australian rugby player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1961 — Todd McFarlane, Canadian author, illustrator, and businessman, founded McFarlane Toys Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — John Hemming, English businessman and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Duane Sutter, Canadian ice hockey player and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1960 — Jenny Eclair, English comedian, actress and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Michael J. Bloomfield, American astronaut Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Sebastian Currier, American composer and educator Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Greg Dyer, Australian cricketer Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Flavor Flav, American rapper and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Charles Hudson, American baseball player Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Steve Marker, American musician Wikipedia ↗
• 1959 — Jens Stoltenberg, Norwegian economist and politician, 27th Prime Minister of Norway Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Phillip Wilcher, Australian pianist and composer Wikipedia ↗
• 1958 — Kate Worley, American author (d. 2004) Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Ozzie Newsome, American football player and manager Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Clifton Powell, American actor, director, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Yoriko Shono, Japanese writer Wikipedia ↗
• 1956 — Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, Swiss lawyer and politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Svetlana Alexeeva, Russian ice dancer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Rimantas Astrauskas, Lithuanian physicist Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Bruno Barreto, Brazilian director, producer, and screenwriter Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Linda Lepomme, Belgian actress and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Andy Scott, Canadian politician (d. 2013) Wikipedia ↗
• 1955 — Jiro Watanabe, Japanese boxer Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — David Heath, English politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Jimmy Nail, English singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Tim O'Brien, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Dav Whatmore, Sri Lankan-Australian cricketer and coach Wikipedia ↗
• 1954 — Nancy Wilson, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Claus Peter Flor, German conductor Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Isabelle Huppert, French actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Rainer Knaak, German chess player Wikipedia ↗
• 1953 — Richard Stallman, American computer scientist and programmer Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Abdelmajid Bourebbou, Algerian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Oddvar Brå, Norwegian skier Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Joe DeLamielleure, American football player Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Alexandre Gonzalez, French long-distance runner Wikipedia ↗
• 1951 — Ray Benson, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Peter Forster, English bishop Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Kate Nelligan, Canadian actress Wikipedia ↗
• 1950 — Edhem Šljivo, Bosnian footballer Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Erik Estrada, American actor Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Victor Garber, Canadian actor and singer Wikipedia ↗
• 1949 — Elliott Murphy, American-French singer-songwriter and journalist Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Michael Owen Bruce, American singer-songwriter and guitarist Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Richard Desjardins, Canadian singer-songwriter and director Wikipedia ↗
• 1948 — Catherine Quéré, French politician Wikipedia ↗
• 1946 — Sigmund Groven, Norwegian harmonica player and composer Wikipedia ↗

📅 National Days on March 16 (Calendar.cx)

Also observed on March 16

🏛️ Public Holidays

Also in: Benito Juárez's birthday (MX) · Natalicio de Benito Juárez (MX)

✡️ Religious Observances

• Islamic: Lailat-ul-Qadr