September 16 in History: General Motors Is Born, Xerox Changes the Office & “Frasier” Debuts

Discover what happened on September 16 in history as major companies were born, technological innovations transformed everyday life, television favorites made their debuts, and historic events helped shape the world we know today.

What Happened on September 16 in History?

On this day, General Motors was founded in Flint, the Xerox 914 revolutionized photocopying, the International Bridge began taking shape at Sault Ste. Marie, and Frasier premiered on television.

SEPTEMBER 16 – TODAY IN HISTORY:

1620 – The Mayflower departed Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers bound for North America. The ship reached Cape Cod more than two months later.

1630 – The Massachusetts settlement known as Shawmut was officially renamed Boston.

1782 – The Great Seal of the United States was used for the first time on an official document, a commission authorizing negotiations for a prisoner exchange with Britain.

1908 – William C. “Billy” Durant founded General Motors in Flint, MI. Buick became GM’s first automotive holding, with Oldsmobile and numerous other companies soon joining Durant’s rapidly expanding corporation.

1919 – The American Legion received its federal charter from Congress.

1920 – A bomb hidden in a horse-drawn wagon exploded in New York City’s financial district near the J.P. Morgan building, killing 38 people and injuring hundreds. The Wall Street bombing was never conclusively solved.

1924 – Radio station WEBK began broadcasting in Grand Rapids, MI. The station was an early predecessor in the history of what became WOOD Radio.

1940 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act, establishing the first peacetime military draft in U.S. history.

1959 – The Xerox 914, the first successful commercial plain-paper photocopier, was publicly demonstrated in New York City.

1960 – Construction began on the International Bridge connecting Sault Ste. Marie, MI, with Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, across the St. Marys River.

1963 – The science-fiction anthology series The Outer Limits premiered on ABC.

1965 – The Dean Martin Show premiered on NBC, beginning a nine-season run.

1972 – The Bob Newhart Show, starring Bob Newhart as Chicago psychologist Bob Hartley, premiered on CBS.

1974 – President Gerald Ford announced a conditional clemency program for Vietnam-era draft evaders and military deserters.

1976 – The Episcopal Church voted to permit women to be ordained as priests and bishops

1984 – Miami Vice, starring Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas, premiered on NBC.

1993 – Frasier, starring Kelsey Grammer as psychiatrist Frasier Crane, premiered on NBC. The Cheers spinoff would run for 11 seasons and win 37 Primetime Emmy Awards.

1994 – A federal jury ordered Exxon to pay $5 billion in punitive damages related to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The award was later substantially reduced through appeals.

1994 – Space Shuttle Discovery astronauts Mark Lee and Carl Meade conducted the first untethered U.S. spacewalk in nearly a decade while testing NASA’s new SAFER emergency rescue backpack.

1996 – Judge Judy, starring Judge Judith Sheindlin, made its syndicated television debut. It ran for 25 seasons.

2004 – Hurricane Ivan made landfall near Gulf Shores, AL, as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing destructive winds, storm surge and tornadoes to the Gulf Coast and southeastern United States.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON SEPTEMBER 16:

George Chakiris – 94 years old (1932) – Actor

Billy Boy Arnold – 91 years old (1935) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Butch Buchholz – 86 years old (1940) – Tennis player

Joe Butler – 85 years old (1941) – Singer, autoharp player, and drummer

Richard Perle – 85 years old (1941) – Political scientist and politician

Susan L. Graham – 84 years old (1942) – Computer scientist and academic

Linda Kaye Henning – 82 years old (1944) – Actress

Betty Kelly – 82 years old (1944) – Soul/R&B singer

Sonny LeMaire – 80 years old (1946) – Country music singer-songwriter and bass player

Ron Blair – 78 years old (1948) – Bass player

Rosemary Casals – 78 years old (1948) – Tennis player and sportscaster

Susan Ruttan – 78 years old (1948) – Actress

Ed Begley Jr. – 77 years old (1949) – Actor and environmental activist

David Bellamy – 76 years old (1950) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Henry Louis Gates Jr. – 76 years old (1950) – Historian, scholar, and journalist

Loyd Grossman – 76 years old (1950) – American-English singer, guitarist, and television host

Vince Bell – 75 years old (1951) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Mickey Rourke – 74 years old (1952) – Boxer and actor

Kurt Fuller – 73 years old (1953) – Character actor

Nancy Huston – 73 years old (1953) – Canadian-American author and translator

Earl Klugh – 73 years old (1953) – Musician

Jerry Pate – 73 years old (1953) – Golfer and sportscaster

Christopher Rich – 73 years old (1953) – Actor

William McKeen – 72 years old (1954) – Author and academic

Ron Brewer – 71 years old (1955) – Basketball player

Robin Yount – 71 years old (1955) – Baseball player and coach

David Copperfield – 70 years old (1956) – Magician and actor

D. C. Drake – 69 years old (1957) – Wrestler

Orel Hershiser – 68 years old (1958) – Baseball player and coach

Jennifer Tilly – 68 years old (1958) – Actress and poker player

Tim Raines – 67 years old (1959) – Baseball player, coach, and manager

Victory Tischler-Blue – 67 years old (1959) – Bass player, director, and producer

Jayne Brook – 66 years old (1960) – Actress

Graham Haynes – 66 years old (1960) – Trumpet player and composer

Mike Mignola – 66 years old (1960) – Author and illustrator

Richard Marx – 63 years old (1963) – Singer-songwriter and producer

Dave Sabo – 62 years old (1964) – Guitarist and songwriter

Molly Shannon – 62 years old (1964) – Actress, comedian and producer

Katy Kurtzman – 61 years old (1965) – Actress and producer

Stephen Shareaux – 61 years old (1965) – Singer-songwriter

John Bel Edwards – 60 years old (1966) – Attorney and politician

Wil McCarthy – 60 years old (1966) – Author and playwright

Kevin Young – 60 years old (1966) – Hurdler

Marc Anthony – 58 years old (1968) – Singer-songwriter, actor, and producer

Walt Becker – 58 years old (1968) – Director, producer, and screenwriter

Mark Schultz – 56 years old (1970) – Singer-songwriter

Joel Heyman – 55 years old (1971) – Actor, producer, and screenwriter

Charlie Jacobs – 55 years old (1971) – Businessman

Amy Poehler – 55 years old (1971) – Actress, comedian, and producer

Richard Slinger – 55 years old (1971) – Wrestler

Shawntel Smith – 55 years old (1971) – Beauty pageant contestant

Mark Bruener – 54 years old (1972) – Football player

Mike Doyle – 54 years old (1972) – Actor and producer

Justin Haythe – 53 years old (1973) – Author and screenwriter

Joaquin Castro – 52 years old (1974) – Lawyer and politician

Julian Castro – 52 years old (1974) – Lawyer and politician, 16th United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

Greg Buckner – 50 years old (1976) – Basketball player and coach

Gregory Ball – 49 years old (1977) – Captain and politician

Musiq Soulchild – 49 years old (1977) – Singer-songwriter

Dan Dickau – 48 years old (1978) – Basketball player and coach

Brian Sims – 48 years old (1978) – Lawyer, politician, and LGBT activist

Bobby Korecky – 47 years old (1979) – Baseball player

Flo Rida – 47 years old (1979) – Rapper, singer, and songwriter

Alexis Bledel – 45 years old (1981) – Actress

Brandon Moss – 43 years old (1983) – Baseball player

Sabrina Bryan – 42 years old (1984) – Singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress

Matt Harrison – 41 years old (1985) – Baseball player

Madeline Zima – 41 years old (1985) – Actress

Gordon Beckham – 40 years old (1986) – Baseball player

Ian Harding – 40 years old (1986) – Actor

Kyla Pratt – 40 years old (1986) – Actress and singer

Anthony Padilla – 39 years old (1987) – Internet personality and filmmaker

Travis Wall – 39 years old (1987) – Dancer and choreographer

Teddy Geiger – 38 years old (1988) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actress

Robbie Grossman – 37 years old (1989) – Baseball player

Nick Jonas – 34 years old (1992) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist

Chase Stokes – 34 years old (1992) – Actor

Metro Boomin – 33 years old (1993) – Record producer and songwriter

Bryson DeChambeau – 33 years old (1993) – Golfer

Aaron Gordon – 31 years old (1995) – Basketball player

Clint Ratkovich – 29 years old (1997) – Football player

Anairis Quiñones – 29 years old (1997) – Voice actress

Jackie Young – 29 years old (1997) – Basketball player

Brady Tkachuk – 27 years old (1999) – Ice hockey player

Sam Howell – 26 years old (2000) – Football player

DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR SEPTEMBER 16:

• National Guacamole Day: Learn to make guacamole at home, and discover some of the many versatile uses for this tasty invention, from a simple dip to a sandwich spread and more.
• National Play-Doh Day: Just because we grow up doesn’t mean we have to stop having fun. Let your inner child out and play with play-doh! Get creative and have fun sculpting and mashing.
• International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer: Our planet's natural sunscreen is in need of some TLC! Let's rally together to protect the Earth's protective shield.
• Trail of Tears Commemoration Day: Trail of Tears Commemoration Day is a time to honor the memory of the Native Americans who suffered during the forced relocations known as the Trail of Tears. This tragic chapter in history saw thousands of Cherokee and other tribes removed from their ancestral lands and sent to what is...
• National Stepfamily Day: Even if they weren’t there at birth, stepfamilies can be as much your family as birth families. Let your stepfamily know you love them, and spend time together.
• National Fitness Day (UK): Whether it's lifting weights, running a 5k, or just going for a walk, taking care of your body is important for health and happiness.
• National Working Parents Day: For parents trying to balance work and raising kids, a day off is more than needed. Help out a working parent you know, or do some extra chores for your own.
• Mayflower Day: A voyage across the Atlantic, a new land to call home, and the beginning of a story that would shape a nation.
• Pet Promise Day: Supporting pet well-being involves sincere commitment, ensuring animals receive comprehensive care for a fulfilling, healthy life.
• Collect Rocks Day: Be a geologist for a day and see what interesting rocks you can find. Pick up a book on local rocks or hop on the internet to identify what you find.
• National Choose Your Chocolate Day: No matter what type of chocolate you love, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or bittersweet chocolate, National Choose Your Chocolate Day is great fun for everyone! History of National Choose Your Chocolate Day Chocolate has been around for thousands of years, starting as a drinking chocolate in the Olmec...
• National Jeans for Genes Day: National Jeans for Genes Day brings communities together for a common cause. People wear jeans to raise awareness about genetic disorders, and the day focuses on the struggles and stories of those affected. By simply wearing jeans, participants can show support and solidarity with the cause. This small gesture has...
• National School Backpack Awareness Day: National School Backpack Awareness Day is a reminder to students, parents, and teachers about the hidden risks of improperly carrying backpacks. Many students unknowingly strain their backs and shoulders by overloading or wearing backpacks incorrectly, which can lead to pain and even long-term issues. The day focuses on teaching kids...
• Stay Away From Seattle Day: Stay Away From Seattle Day is a quirky observance that asks people to steer clear of the Emerald City for just one day. It’s not about disliking visitors; rather, it’s a playful nudge for outsiders to give the city a brief pause. Locals, often juggling the buzz of tourists and new...
• World Barber Day: World Barber Day celebrates the craft, care, and creativity behind every cut. It’s a global nod to barbers who do much more than shape hair—they shape confidence. Walk into a barbershop and you’ll find more than scissors and clippers. You’ll see trust, style, and stories being shared. From classic trims to...
• International Day for Interventional Cardiology: Fixing a heart without open surgery sounds like science fiction—but it’s real, and it’s saving lives every day. That’s what interventional cardiology is all about. Instead of making large cuts, doctors slide tiny tools through blood vessels to clear blockages or open narrowed arteries. It’s precise, fast, and often means patients...
• Teenager Workout Day: Teenagers, it’s time to get in shape. Parents of teenagers, it’s time to help your kids learn about safe, daily exercise routines that can keep them healthy.
• Recycle Now Week: Recycle Now Week is a lively celebration focused on boosting recycling efforts across the UK. This special week brings together communities, businesses, and local authorities to emphasize the importance of recycling the right materials more often. Through engaging campaigns and fun activities, Recycle Now Week inspires everyone to participate and...
• National Tattoo Story Day: Some tattoos are wild and colorful. Others are small and simple. But almost every tattoo hides a story. National Tattoo Story Day invites people to talk about those stories. A tattoo might honor someone special, mark a turning point, or carry a quiet reminder of something meaningful. Every design has...
• National Sit With a Stranger Day: National Sit With a Stranger Day invites people to break their usual routine and start a conversation with someone unfamiliar. Instead of scrolling through phones or keeping to ourselves, this day encourages sitting beside someone new and sharing a moment. It’s about turning everyday spaces—parks, buses, cafés—into places where fresh connections...
• National GED Day: National GED Day lifts up people who chose a different road. Some left school early. Others faced tough times that got in the way. This day celebrates the moment they stepped back in, worked hard, and finished strong. It’s more than a test—it’s about guts, goals, and second chances. The energy...
• National Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day: It’s got cinnamon. It’s got raisins. It’s got sweet, bready goodness. That’s right, try out your own cinnamon raisin bread recipe and impress your friends and family.
• Housekeepers Week: Housekeeping is tough and often thankless work, so make sure to give a big thank-you and even a small gift to the housekeepers who keep hotels and the like clean.
• National Parent Teacher Home Visits Week: Building bridges through educator and family interactions, strengthening support networks to nurture student growth and achievement.
• Professional Care Workers’ Week: Dedicated to aiding, professional care workers uplift lives through compassion, ensuring well-being in every interaction.
• National Uniform Day: Honoring the service and dedication of the tens of millions of people across the world who wear uniforms as part of their daily work, National Uniform Day celebrates and recognizes the unwavering commitment of these important workers! Why Celebrate National Uniform Day? More than just an outfit to wear to work, a...
• World Mitochondrial Disease Week: Mitochondrial diseases are a group of rare genetic disorders that impact the way the mitochondria in a person’s cells produce energy. While there is currently no cure for this range of conditions, the hope is that raising awareness and improving support will help provide care for those who need it...
• Anne Bradstreet Day: Did you know there's a special day dedicated to celebrating the legacy of America's first female poet, Anne Bradstreet? It's called Anne Bradstreet Day, and it happens every year on September 16th. This day marks the anniversary of her death and is a time to remember her pioneering contributions to...
• Mexican Independence Day: An important moment in Mexico's history, a celebration of freedom and resilience that unites people in colorful festivities and pride.
• Hari Malaysia: Malaysia Day, also known as Hari Malaysia, is a celebration of the country's unity and diversity. On this day, Malaysians from all walks of life reflect on the strength that comes from being a united yet diverse community. People in Sabah, Sarawak, and the Peninsula gather to honor their shared...
• National Neonatal Nurses Week : Providing compassionate care to newborns and support for families, these healthcare heroes play a crucial role in healthcare.
• Rtveli: Rtveli is a vibrant grape harvest festival celebrated across Georgia. It is a joyful blend of hard work and celebration. It's a time when people unite to collect the fruits of their labor and honor the cultural heritage of winemaking that has been cherished for generations. The festival extends beyond...
• Fiesta de San Pacho: Fiesta de San Pacho is a vibrant celebration that fills the streets of Quibdó with music, dance, and color. The festival honors Saint Francis of Assisi, blending Catholic traditions with Afro-Colombian culture uniquely and joyfully. As the day unfolds, the city becomes a stage where people showcase their rich heritage...
• Hispanic Heritage Month: Join an event, forum, or exhibition for Hispanic Heritage Month, and appreciate the art, history, and cultural offerings of this rich and expansive heritage.
• National Assisted Living Week : When older folks who need a little help move into an assisted living facility, it can sometimes feel isolating. National Assisted Living Week is here to bring attention to the ways that communities can live in a more multi-generational manner, and honor those in all phases of life while promoting...
• Biscuits and Gravy Week: National Biscuits and Gravy Week offers a perfect opportunity for lovers of this delicious dish to pay it some well-deserved respect, or for some of the more inexperienced to learn more and discover some new flavors! History of National Day A decidedly American dish, biscuits and gravy are believed to have...
• Healthcare Environmental Services Week: Healthcare Environmental Services Week honors the crucial role of EVS professionals in keeping healthcare spaces clean and safe. These skilled workers use careful cleaning and disinfection to stop harmful pathogens. Their efforts help prevent infections that could harm patients, families, and staff. This week highlights their daily dedication, commitment, and...

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