On January 16, significant historical events have shaped the course of history. From political milestones to cultural achievements, this date has witnessed a wide array of impactful moments. These events have left an indelible mark on the world, reminding us of the rich tapestry of history and the countless individuals and events that have shaped our past and continue to influence our present and future. Here is list of Major Historical Events on January 16.
Major Historical Events on January 16 – Today in History
1120: Council of Nablus – Crusader Laws
The Council of Nablus convened to establish the earliest written laws of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem, codifying governance and justice.
1492: First Spanish Grammar
The first grammar book for a modern language, Spanish, was presented to Queen Isabella, contributing to the development of the Spanish language.
1501: Pedro Cabral Returns
Portuguese navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral and his fleet embarked on their return voyage from India to Lisbon, marking an early chapter in global exploration.
1547: Ivan the Terrible Crowned
Ivan the Terrible, at 17 years old, crowned himself the first tsar of Moscow, beginning a tumultuous period of Russian history.
1605: First Don Quixote Edition
The first edition of Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote” was published in Madrid, becoming a literary classic and a foundational work of modern literature.
1832: Charles Darwin’s Landing
Charles Darwin landed at Porto Prayo in the Cape Verde islands during his HMS Beagle voyage, marking a significant stop on his groundbreaking scientific journey.
1871: Jefferson Long Sworn
Jefferson Long of Georgia was sworn in as the second black congressman, contributing to the representation of African Americans in the United States government.
1900: US Senate Accepts Treaty
The United States Senate accepted the Anglo-German treaty of 1899, leading to the United Kingdom renouncing its claims to the Samoan islands.
1909: Antarctic Expedition Milestone
Antarctic explorers Douglas Mawson, Edgeworth David, and Alistair Mackay reached the South Magnetic Pole as part of the Nimrod Expedition, advancing scientific knowledge of the region.
1917: Greek Government Reparations
The Greek Government accepted reparations for Allied losses in recent actions in Greece, addressing the aftermath of World War I.
1919: Prohibition Amendment Ratified
The 18th Amendment to the US Constitution, known as Prohibition, was ratified by a majority of US states, ushering in a period of alcohol ban in the country.
1931: Don Bradman’s Record
Australian cricket legend Don Bradman made history by scoring 223 runs against the West Indies in a single day during the 3rd Test in Brisbane, setting a record for the most runs by a player in a Test match in Australia.
1936: Photo Finish Camera
The first photo finish camera was installed at Hialeah Race track in Hialeah, Florida, introducing a technology that revolutionized horse racing by providing precise race results.
1938: First Carnegie Hall Jazz
Benny Goodman and his band performed the first-ever jazz concert at Carnegie Hall, a historic event that elevated jazz music’s status in the world of classical music.
1941: First Black Cadet Squadron
The War Department established the first Army Air Corps squadron for black cadets, a significant step toward integration and equality within the United States military.
1943: US Air Raid on Ambon
The first US air raid on Ambon took place during World War II, marking a pivotal moment in the Pacific theater of the conflict.
1942: William Knudsen as General
William Knudsen became the first civilian appointed as a general in the US Army, contributing his industrial expertise to the military during World War II.
1945: US Army Meeting
The US 1st and 3rd armies met at Houffalise during World War II, a crucial moment in the liberation of France from Nazi occupation.
1951: Largest Gas Pipeline
The world’s largest gas pipeline opened, connecting Brownsville, Texas, to 134th Street in New York City, facilitating the transportation of natural gas over vast distances.
1957: B-52 Non-stop Flights
Three US B-52 bombers embarked on the first non-stop around-the-world flights, showcasing the capabilities of these strategic bombers.
1962: “Dr No” Filming Begins
Filming for “Dr. No,” the first James Bond film, began, launching one of the most iconic film franchises in cinematic history.
1965: USSR Nuclear Test
The USSR conducted a nuclear test at Eastern Kazakh/Semipalitinsk, advancing its nuclear capabilities during the Cold War.
1966: Bobby Hull’s 4 Goals
Bobby Hull, the right wing for the Chicago Black Hawks, scored four goals in a single game, achieving his 17th career hat trick and becoming the first player in team history to score 300 goals.
1967: First Black Government
The Bahamas installed its first black government led by Lynden Pindling, marking a significant milestone in the country’s political history.
1966: Chicago Bulls Founded
Chicago was granted an NBA franchise named the Bulls, becoming the third NBA team in the city’s history.
1969: Soyuz Crew Transfer
Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 performed the first-ever crew transfer in space, demonstrating the capabilities of space rendezvous and docking.
1970: Buckminster Fuller Award
Buckminster Fuller received the Gold Medal award from the American Institute of Architects, recognizing his significant contributions to architectural and design innovations.
1971: Ard Schenk’s Record
Dutch speed skater Ard Schenk set a world record in the 1500m race, showcasing his remarkable skating abilities and athleticism.
1973: Lunakhod 2 Exploration
USSR’s Lunakhod 2 initiated radio-controlled lunar exploration, contributing to scientific knowledge about the Moon’s surface and geology.
1986: Internet Engineering Task Force
The first meeting of the Internet Engineering Task Force played a crucial role in the development and standardization of the internet.
1988: George Harrison’s Hit
George Harrison’s single “Got My Mind Set On You” reached the top of the Billboard charts, becoming a chart-topping hit.
1992: Eric Clapton’s MTV Unplugged
Eric Clapton’s iconic MTV “Unplugged” performance at Bray Film Studios earned six Grammy Awards and became the bestselling live album of all time.
2002: UN Arms Embargo
The UN Security Council unanimously imposed an arms embargo and froze assets belonging to Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaida, and Taliban members, in response to global security concerns.
2006: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Inaugurated
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was inaugurated as Liberia’s first female elected head of state, marking a historic milestone for African women in leadership.
2016: First Flower in Space
The first-ever flower was successfully grown in space aboard the International Space Station using NASA’s Veggie system, advancing knowledge of plant growth in microgravity.
2019: Record Australian Heat
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology reported record-breaking temperatures, with South Australia reaching 49°C and Port Augusta hitting 48.5°C.
2019: Stephen Curry’s NBA Record
Golden State guard Stephen Curry made NBA history by hitting 8+ three-point field goals in three consecutive games, with a record-breaking 43 three-pointers made in a single game.
2020: Trump’s Impeachment Trial
The impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump began in the Senate, marking a significant political event.
2021: First Winter Ascent
Ten Nepali climbers achieved the remarkable feat of being the first to reach the summit of K2 in winter, an arduous and historic expedition on the China-Pakistan border.
Also Read: Major Historical Events on January 15 – Today in History
