Today in History graphic for July 16 featuring Apollo 11, Disneyland, the Trinity atomic test, Joe DiMaggio, and Amazon's first book sale.

July 16 in History: Apollo 11 Launches, Disneyland Opens, and the First Atomic Bomb Test

Scott Winters July 16, 2026 3 Comments

Discover what happened on July 16 in history as inventions, scientific breakthroughs, historic milestones, and unforgettable moments shaped the world we know today.

What Happened on July 16 in History?

Important events on this day include the launch of Apollo 11, the opening of Disneyland, the first successful atomic bomb test, Joe DiMaggio extending his legendary hitting streak, and Amazon selling its very first book.

JULY 16 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1790 – The District of Columbia (Washington, DC) was established as the permanent seat of the United States Government.

1909 – In Detroit, MI, the Tigers battled the Senators in the American League’s longest scoreless game. The two teams played 18 innings of baseball until it was too dark to play.

1912 – The airplane torpedo was patented by Bradley A. Fiske.

1926 – “National Geographic” magazine published the first underwater color photographs. The pictures had been taken near the Florida Keys.

1927 – Detroit Tiger baseball star Ty Cobb got his 4,000th hit

1935 – The first parking meters to be used in the United States were installed in Oklahoma City, OK.

1941 – Joe DiMaggio hit safely for the 56th consecutive game — a streak that still stands as a Major League Baseball record.

1945 – The United States detonated the first atomic bomb in a test at Alamogordo, NM.

1951 – J.D. Salinger’s novel, “The Catcher in the Rye”, was published.

1955 – Disneyland held its invitation-only preview opening (“Black Sunday”) in Anaheim, CA. The park officially opened to the public two days later, on July 18.

1956 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus closed its very last “Big Tent” show in Pittsburgh, PA. Due to changing economics, all subsequent circus shows would be held in arenas.

1957 – Marine Major John Glenn set a transcontinental speed record by flying a jet from California to New York. The flight took just 3 hours, 23 minutes and 8 seconds.

1964 – David Rude, an 18 year old college student, crossed Lake Michigan on a water ski kite. It took him 3-1/2 hours to go from Grand Haven, MI to Milwaukee, WI.

1964 – Little League Baseball Incorporated was granted a Federal Charter unanimously by the United States Senate and House of Representatives.

1968 – The James C. Veen Observatory opened in Lowell, MI.

1969 – The first crewed mission to the surface of the moon began when Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, FL.

1981 – After 23 years with the name Datsun, executives changed the name of their cars to Nissan.

1981 – Harry Chapin died in a car crash at the age of 38. He was on his way to a benefit concert.

1985 – The All-Star Game, televised on NBC-TV, was the first program broadcast in stereo by a TV network.

1986 – Dollywood opened in Pigeon Forge, TN.

1993 – The movie “Hocus Pocus”, starring Bette Midler, premiered in theaters.

1993 – The movie “Free Willy” premiered in theaters.

1995 – Amazon sold its first book, “Fluid Concepts & Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought”. The company was being run from a garage in Bellevue, WA.

1999 – Col. Eileen Collins became the first woman to head a Space Shuttle mission.

1999 – John F. Kennedy, Jr. died, along with his wife and sister-in-law, when his plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.

1999 – The movie “Lake Placid”, about a giant, 30-foot-long crocodile that terrorizes the fictional town of Black Lake, Maine, premiered in theaters. The film starred Bill Pullman, Bridget Fonda, Betty White, and Mariska Hargitay.

2004 – Millennium Park in Chicago, IL, is opened to the public by Mayor Richard M. Daley.

2004 – Martha Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison and fined $30,000 after being found guilty of four counts of obstruction of justice and lying to federal investigators.

2005 – J.K. Rowling’s book “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” was released. It was the sixth in the Harry Potter series. On the very first day, the book sold 6.9 million copies.

2009 – In Chicago, IL, the Sears Tower was renamed Willis Tower.

2018 – Twelve new moons were discovered orbiting Jupiter, bringing the planet’s moon total to 79.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JULY 16:

Bella Davidovich – 98 years old (1928) – Soviet-American pianist

Michael Bilirakis – 96 years old (1930) – Lawyer and politician

Julian A. Brodsky – 93 years old (1933) – Businessman

Lynn Wyatt – 91 years old (1935) – Socialite and philanthropist

Richard Bryan – 89 years old (1937) – Lawyer and politician, 25th Governor of Nevada

Cynthia Enloe – 88 years old (1938) – Author and academic

William Bell – 87 years old (1939) – Singer-songwriter

Jimmy Johnson – 83 years old (1943) – Football player and coach

Stewart Copeland – 74 years old (1952) – Drummer and songwriter

Douglas J. Feith – 73 years old (1953) – Lawyer and politician, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

Susan Wheeler – 71 years old (1955) – Poet and academic

Tony Kushner – 70 years old (1956) – Playwright and screenwriter

Faye Grant – 69 years old (1957) – Actress

Mick Cornett – 68 years old (1958) – Politician

Michael Flatley – 68 years old (1958) – American-Irish dancer and choreographer

Phoebe Cates – 63 years old (1963) – Actress

Phil Hellmuth – 62 years old (1964) – Poker player

Billy Mitchell – 61 years old (1965) – Video game player

Will Ferrell – 59 years old (1967) – Actor, comedian, and producer

Barry Sanders – 58 years old (1968) – Football player

Larry Sanger – 58 years old (1968) – Philosopher and businessman, co-founded Wikipedia and Citizendium

Robert Sherman – 58 years old (1968) – Songwriter and businessman

Serena Chen – 56 years old (1970) – Social psychologist

Corey Feldman – 55 years old (1971) – Actor

Ed Kowalczyk – 55 years old (1971) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Tim Ryan – 53 years old (1973) – Politician

Bobby Lashley – 50 years old (1976) – Professional wrestler and mixed martial artist

Jayma Mays – 47 years old (1979) – Actress

Chris Mihm – 47 years old (1979) – Basketball player

Kim Rhode – 47 years old (1979) – Sport shooter

Zach Randolph – 45 years old (1981) – Basketball player

Carli Lloyd – 44 years old (1982) – Soccer player

AnnaLynne McCord – 39 years old (1987) – Actress and producer

Knowshon Moreno – 39 years old (1987) – Football player

James Maslow – 36 years old (1990) – Actor, singer and dancer

Nate Schmidt – 35 years old (1991) – Ice hockey player

Alexandra Shipp – 35 years old (1991) – Actress and singer

Safiya Nygaard – 34 years old (1992) – YouTuber

Kevin Abstract – 30 years old (1996) – Rapper and singer-songwriter

Cooper Koch – 30 years old (1996) – Actor

Jarred Kelenic – 27 years old (1999) – Baseball player

Island Boys – 25 years old (2001) – Social media personalities

Amiah Miller – 22 years old (2004) – Actress and model

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JULY 16:

World Snake Day: If you have a pet snake, show them a little extra love and pampering. Help end the stigma around snakes, and see what you can do to help endangered species.
National Cherry Day: Life is just a bowl of cherries! So, make way for National Cherry Day, the time when this juicy little fruit is the star of the show. How to Celebrate National Cherry Day Celebrating National Cherry Day is no problem at all with such a delectable fruit at the center...
Fresh Spinach Day: Grow your muscles like Popeye and boost your overall health by incorporating fresh spinach into your diet, from salads to smoothies to sandwiches.
Get to Know Your Customers Day: Imagine walking into your favorite local shop, where the owner greets you by name and knows exactly what you love. This personalized touch is at the heart of Get to Know Your Customers Day, a special occasion encouraging businesses to deepen their understanding of the people they serve. By engaging more...
National Atomic Veterans Day: Dedicated individuals who bravely served, witnessing historic events with lasting impact. Their sacrifice and contributions resonate, inspiring gratitude and remembrance.
National Corn Fritter Day: The ultimate savory-sweet comfort food, try making your own corn fritters at home, or head out to a restaurant to indulge in this Southern delicacy.
Guinea Pig Appreciation Day: Consider taking the plunge and getting a cute little guinea pig or two, which also make great first pets for teaching children responsibility.
National Personal Chef Day: Culinary wizards who whip up mouthwatering creations in the kitchen. Sit back, relax, and let the foodie magic unfold!
Rural Transit Day: In the vast expanses of rural America, the hum of a transit bus is more than just a sound—it's a lifeline. Connecting people to essential services, jobs, education, and community events, rural transit plays a vital role in maintaining the quality of life for those who call these areas home...
Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day: Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day celebrates the ways AI has changed life for the better. It highlights how smart systems now power tools we use every day—navigation apps, healthcare diagnostics, even smart assistants—all working to make tasks easier. The day also calls attention to the need for fair and ethical AI design...
National D.R.E.S.S. Syndrome Day: DRESS syndrome, or drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms, is a rare and serious reaction to certain medicines. It begins slowly, usually between two and six weeks after starting a drug. Fever and rash often emerge first. Swelling in the face and abnormal blood counts follow. Then, internal organs like...
Our Lady of Mount Carmel: Our Lady of Mount Carmel is a special title for Mary, the mother of Jesus, linked to the Carmelite Order. She’s seen as a caring guide and protector. The brown scapular she gave to Saint Simon Stock symbolizes that care and invites believers into a spiritual family under her watch...
National Wedding Invitation Day: Sending wedding invitations is often the first real step in bringing a celebration to life. It’s not just paper—it’s the couple’s way of saying, “We want you there.” Each envelope holds excitement, design, and a touch of love. Friends and family get a hint of what’s coming, whether it’s formal...
Fiesta de la Tirana: Fiesta de la Tirana is a vibrant celebration held in northern Chile. It transforms the small town of La Tirana into a bustling center of energy, color, and sound. Thousands of people come together, filling the streets with traditional costumes, lively dances, and rhythmic music. It's a festival where faith...