Discover what happened on August 16 in history as wartime turning points, publishing milestones, remarkable achievements, and unforgettable moments helped shape the world we know today.
What Happened on August 16 in History?
On this day, Detroit was surrendered to British forces during the War of 1812, the first issue of Sports Illustrated was published, and Elvis Presley died at his Graceland home at the age of 42.
AUGUST 16 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1812 – During the War of 1812, American General William Hull surrendered Detroit and the Michigan Territory to British forces without a fight.
1842 – In New York City, NY, the U.S. government took over operations of the City Despatch Post. It became the first congressionally authorized local postal delivery.
1858 – A telegraphed message from Britain’s Queen Victoria to U.S. President James Buchanan was transmitted over a recently laid trans-Atlantic cable. A weak signal forced a shutdown of the service in a few weeks.
1861 – President Abraham Lincoln prohibited the Union states from trading with the Confederate states.
1923 – The Carnegie Steel Corporation transitioned to and 8-hour workday in its plants .
1930 – Ub Iwerks released Fiddlesticks, the first sound cartoon photographed entirely in color.
1954 – The first issue of “Sports Illustrated” was published by Time, Inc.
1960 – U.S. Air Force Captain Joseph Kittinger parachuted from a balloon 102,800 feet above New Mexico. He free-fell for more than four minutes and reached speeds of more than 600 mph, setting several world records.
1962 – Pete Best was let go from the Beatles, to be replaced two days later by Ringo Starr.
1977 – Elvis Presley died at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, TN, at the age of 42.
1984 – The U.S. Jaycees voted to admit women to full membership in the organization.
1987 – Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 154 people aboard and two people on the ground. The sole survivor was a 4-year-old girl.
1999 – The game show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire”, with host Regis Philbin, debuted on TV.
2005 – Madonna starts out celebrating her 47th birthday riding a horse at her British estate. She was thrown from the horse and ended up in the hospital with three cracked ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken hand.
2008 – The Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, IL, was topped off at 1,389 feet, at the time becoming the world’s highest residence above ground level.
2013 – Google suffered a five-minute outage that took nearly all of its online services offline. During the outage, worldwide Internet traffic reportedly dropped by about 40%.
2020 – The August Complex Fire began in California. It eventually burned more than one million acres, becoming the largest wildfire in California’s recorded history at the time.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON AUGUST 16:
Julie Newmar – 93 years old (1933) – Actress
Ketty Lester – 92 years old (1934) – Singer and actress
Anita Gillette – 90 years old (1936) – Actress and singer
David Behrman – 89 years old (1937) – Composer and producer
Bob Balaban – 81 years old (1945) – Actor, director, and producer
Suzanne Farrell – 81 years old (1945) – Ballerina and educator
Lesley Ann Warren – 80 years old (1946) – Actress
Carol Moseley Braun – 79 years old (1947) – Lawyer and politician, United States Ambassador to New Zealand
Earl Blumenauer – 78 years old (1948) – Politician, U.S. Representative from Oregon
Mike Jorgensen – 78 years old (1948) – Baseball player and manager
Joey Spampinato – 78 years old (1948) – Singer-songwriter and bass player
Paul Pasqualoni – 77 years old (1949) – Football player and coach
Bill Spooner – 77 years old (1949) – Guitarist and songwriter
Marshall Manesh – 76 years old (1950) – Iranian-American actor
Reginald VelJohnson – 74 years old (1952) – Actor
Kathie Lee Gifford – 73 years old (1953) – Talk show host, singer, and actress
James "J.T." Taylor – 73 years old (1953) – R&B singer-songwriter
Jeff Perry – 71 years old (1955) – Actor
Laura Innes – 69 years old (1957) – Actress and director
Madonna – 68 years old (1958) – Singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and director
Angela Bassett – 68 years old (1958) – Actress
Timothy Hutton – 66 years old (1960) – Actor, producer and director
Franz Welser-Möst – 66 years old (1960) – Austrian-American conductor and director
Christian Okoye – 65 years old (1961) – Football player
Steve Carell – 64 years old (1962) – Actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
Jimmy Arias – 62 years old (1964) – Tennis player and sportscaster
Eddie Olczyk – 60 years old (1966) – Ice hockey player, coach, and commentator
Andy Milder – 58 years old (1968) – Actor
Bonnie Bernstein – 56 years old (1970) – Journalist and sportscaster
Seth Peterson – 56 years old (1970) – Actor
Emily Strayer – 54 years old (1972) – Singer and musician
Ryan Longwell – 52 years old (1974) – Football player
George Stults – 51 years old (1975) – Actor
Vanessa Carlton – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter
Cam Gigandet – 44 years old (1982) – Actor
Candice Dupree – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player
Cristin Milioti – 41 years old (1985) – Actress
Shawn Pyfrom – 40 years old (1986) – Actor
Ryan Kerrigan – 38 years old (1988) – Football player
Rumer Willis – 38 years old (1988) – Actress
Cedric Alexander – 37 years old (1989) – Wrestler
Young Thug – 35 years old (1991) – Rapper, singer and songwriter
Cameron Monaghan – 33 years old (1993) – Actor and model
Sophie Cunningham – 30 years old (1996) – Basketball player
Caeleb Dressel – 30 years old (1996) – Swimmer
Greyson Chance – 29 years old (1997) – Musician
Karen Chen – 27 years old (1999) – Figure skater
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR AUGUST 16:
- National Rum Day: Yo ho ho! Channel your inner pirate and let loose with a bottle of rum and a Pirates of the Caribbean marathon…or just the rum. That’s the important part.
- National Roller Coaster Day: See if any of the amusement parks or fairgrounds near you offer a special deal on Rollercoaster Day, and get your adrenaline pumping on that stomach-dropping dive.
- World Bratwurst Day: Hit up your local grocery store or meat market and bring home some delicious bratwurst, a high-quality type of German sausage made of pork, beef, or veal.
- National Tell A Joke Day: Bringing smiles with witty punchlines and hilarious anecdotes, telling a good joke is a delightful art that turns ordinary moments into bursts of laughter and camaraderie.
- National Airborne Day: On the anniversary of the first official US Army parachute jump in 1940, take a minute of silence to honor all the brave airborne men and women paratroopers.
- Afternoon Tea Week: Host a British-inspired Afternoon Tea and plug that gap between lunch and dinner with tea, biscuits (cookies), scones, clotted cream, whatever you like.
- Surveillance Day: Surveillance cameras are all around us, especially in cities. See this first-hand by spending the day looking for them, and giving a wave to any you see.
- National Authenticity Day: In a world that abounds with fakes, filters, and forced smiles, National Authenticity Day brings something refreshing—honesty. It’s a celebration of people who stay true to themselves, no matter what. Whether loud or quiet, bold or soft-spoken, everyone has something real to offer. This day gives space to drop the act...
- Bennington Battle Day: Bennington Battle Day is Vermont’s way of marking a hard-won victory during the Revolutionary War. The day stands out as a festive, heartfelt tribute carried on by townsfolk for nearly 250 years. Local leaders and fire crews plan lively parades and events that bring the community together around their shared...
- National Backflow Prevention Day: Clean water seems like a given—turn the tap, and it flows. But keeping it safe takes more than good plumbing. That’s where backflow preventers come in. These small devices stop dirty water from sneaking into our drinking supply. When pressure drops or pipes shift, water can reverse direction. Without a barrier...
- National Independent Worker Day: Freelancers, consultants, gig workers, and small business owners take the spotlight on this special day. It honors those who choose freedom and self-direction over office routines. People gather to cheer each other on. Work becomes personal and flexible. Everyone brings their own zest and vision. Local talent brings fresh energy to...
- Crayfish Party: Crayfish Party is a lively and festive occasion celebrated with friends and family. This event marks the end of summer, bringing people together for a joyful feast. Tables are often set with bright decorations, and the air is filled with laughter. The menu features cooked and seasoned crayfish. The atmosphere...
- Navasard: Navasard is the ancient Armenian New Year, a celebration that once united communities in festivities and tribute to their gods. Marking the start of a new cycle, it was a time when people believed divine forces came down to the Earth. With music, dance, and communal feasts, it reflected a...
- National Bargain Hunting Week: Exploring discounts and deals, seekers unearth treasures while navigating the maze of savings, discovering hidden gems.
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