Today In History, 16 January: What Happened On This Day
Today in History, 16 January: We’re past the midway point of the first month of 2023. Today is 16 January. Days are flying by like leaves in a storm. But self-development and learning should never stop.
On that note, take a look at the historical significance of 16th January. It feels just like another ordinary day, but January 16th holds a key place in world history.
Many crucial events transpired on this day (Jan. 16) in sports, politics and art, along with famous birthdays and deaths in world history.
Related: Today in History, (14 January)
Historical Events On This Day
- In 27 BC, the Roman Senate proclaimed the title of Augustus to Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian, beginning the start of the Roman Empire.
- In 1547, Ivan the Terrible was crowned "Tsar and grand prince of all Russia."
- In 1761, the British East India Company captured the city of Pondicherry from the French.
- In 1757, the Maratha Empire forces defeated the invading army of the Durrani Empire in the Battle of Narela.
- In 1793, Louis XVI was sentenced to death by the National Convention during the French Revolution.
- In 1920, the League of Nations held its first meeting in Paris, France.
- In 1945, German Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler retreated to his underground bunker after his defeat in World War II.
- In 2003, the final flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia aboard the STS-107 commenced, carrying Kalpana Chawla and six other crew members.
- In 2006, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as president of Liberia and became the first elected leader of an African country.
- In 2021, India kicked off the COVID-19 vaccination program, with sanitation worker Manish Kumar receiving the first shot.
Sports Events Today
- In 2019, Golden State guard Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history to hit 8+ three-point FGs in 3 consecutive games; goes 9-of- 17 threes in the Warriors' 147-140 win over New Orleans.
- In 2022, World No. 1 ranked tennis player Novak Đoković was deported by the Australian government due to his unvaccinated status against the COVID-19 virus.
Art and Culture Events Today
- In 1605, the first edition of "El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha" (Book One of Don Quixote) by Miguel de Cervantes was published in Madrid, Spain.
- In 1973, the popular American western series Bonanza concluded on NBC after 14 seasons.
- In 1979, BBC’s iconic nature series "Life on Earth," presented by David Attenborough, was first shown on BBC One.
Notable Deaths On This Day
| Sr No |
Death Year |
Personality |
| 1 |
1901 |
Hiram R. Revels, American clergyman and politician who was the first African-American in congress |
| 2 |
1936 |
Albert Fish, American serial killer, rapist, and cannibal who killed and ate several children in the 20th Century USA |
| 3 |
1938 | Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Indian Bengali novelist and short story writer best known for writing Devdas |
| 4 |
1957 |
Arturo Toscanini, Italian music conductor |
| 5 |
1988 |
Lakshmikant Jha, Indian diplomat, eight Governor of the Reserve Bank of India and governor of Jammu and Kashmir from 1973 to 1981 |
| 6 |
2017 |
Eugene Cernan, American astronaut and the last person to walk on the Moon (1972) |
| 7 |
2020 |
Christopher Tolkien, author, editor and illustrator who was the son of J.R.R Tolkien, writer of the Lord of the Rings, and completed many of his father’s unfinished works |
| 8 |
2021 |
Phil Spector, American record producer and convicted murderer, known for his collaborations with famous rock bands like The Beatles, Tina Turner, John Lennon and Leonard Cohen |
Famous Birthdays On This Day
| Sr No |
Birth Year |
Personality |
| 1 |
1630 |
Guru Har Rai, seventh of the ten Sikh Gurus |
| 2 |
1853 |
Andre Michelin, French businessman and co-founder of the Michelin Tyre Company |
| 3 |
1931 |
Subhash Mukherjee, Indian scientist and physician known for creating the world’s second and India’s first child using in-vitro fertilisation, aka, test tube baby |
| 4 |
1932 |
Dian Fossey, American primatologist and conservationist known for efforts to study mountain gorilla groups in Rwanda |
| 5 |
1946 |
Kabir Bedi, Indian actor and a descendant of Guru Nanak Dev ji, best known for his roles in films Octopussy and Khoon Bhari Maang |
| 6 |
1948 |
John Carpenter, American filmmaker, actor and composer who made several iconic films in the late 20th century, like The Thing, Halloween, and Escape from New York |
| 7 |
1959 |
Sade, Nigerian-British singer who is one of the most successful female and British artists in history and headlined the band Sade |
| 8 |
1969 |
Roy Jones, Jr., American professional boxer and former world champion in four weight classes including heavyweight. Jones was known for his impeccable technique and speed. |
| 9 |
1974 |
Kate Moss, English model and fashion designer who popularised the size zero trend and is one of the richest and most recognized models of all time |
| 10 |
1979 |
Aaliyah, American singer, actress and model known for her R&B and pop music, especially her debut album “Age Ain't Nothing but a Number” |
| 11 |
1980 |
Lin-Manuel Miranda, American actor, filmmaker, composer, lyricist, singer and playwright who is best known for his groundbreaking Broadway musicals like Hamilton and In the Heights |
| 12 |
1985 |
Sidharth Malhotra, Indian actor known for films Shershaah and Student of the Year |
Related | Today in History (15 January)
Related | Today in History (14 January)
