✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 106th day of the year

April 16

A look at April 16 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Charlie Chaplin and Pope Benedict XVI, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2014

    South Korea

    The South Korean ferry MV Sewol capsizes and sinks near Jindo Island, killing 304 passengers and crew and leading to widespread criticism of the South Korean government, media, and shipping authorities.

    Country in East Asia
  2. 2007

    Virginia Tech shooting

    Virginia Tech shooting: Seung-Hui Cho murders 32 people and injures 17 before committing suicide.

    2007 mass shooting in
  3. 2001

    Bangladesh

    India and Bangladesh begin a five-day border conflict, but are unable to resolve the disputes about their border.

    Country in South Asia
  4. 1948

    OECD

    The Organization of European Economic Co-operation is formed.

    Intergovernmental economic organisation
  5. 1947

    Bernard Baruch

    Bernard Baruch first applies the term "Cold War" to describe the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union.

    American businessman (1870–1965)
  6. 1941

    World War II

    World War II: The Italian-German Tarigo convoy is attacked and destroyed by British ships.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  7. 1912

    Harriet Quimby

    Harriet Quimby becomes the first woman to fly an airplane across the English Channel.

    American aviation pioneer (1875–1912)
  8. 1799

    French Revolutionary Wars

    French Revolutionary Wars: The Battle of Mount Tabor: Napoleon drives Ottoman Turks across the River Jordan near Acre.

    1792–1802 wars
  9. 1520

    Revolt of the Comuneros

    The Revolt of the Comuneros begins in Spain against the rule of Charles V.

    1520 rebellion in Castile,
  10. 69

    AD 69

    Defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, Roman emperor Otho commits suicide.

    Calendar year
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Famous birthday twins

Born on April 16

Charlie Chaplin

b. 1889

English actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and composer

Pope Benedict XVI

b. 1927

Head of the Catholic Church from 2005 to 2013

John Franklin

b. 1786

English admiral and politician, fourth Lieutenant Governor of Van Diemen's Land

Jules Hardouin-Mansart

b. 1646

French architect (probable;

Freddie Ljungberg

b. 1977

Swedish footballer

Leo Tindemans

b. 1922

Belgian politician, 43rd Prime Minister of Belgium

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

b. 1955

Grand Duke of Luxembourg from 2000 to 2025

Selena

b. 1971

American singer-songwriter, actress, and fashion designer

Deaths

  • 1991David Lean, English director, producer, and screenwriter
  • 1972Yasunari Kawabata, Japanese novelist and short story writer, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1958Rosalind Franklin, English biophysicist and academic
  • 1828Francisco Goya, Spanish-French painter and illustrator
  • 1118Adelaide del Vasto, regent of Sicily, mother of Roger II of Sicily, queen of Baldwin I of Jerusalem
  • 69AD 69, Roman emperor (born AD 32)

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Benedict Joseph Labre
  • —Christian feast day: Bernadette Soubirous
  • —Christian feast day: Drogo
  • —Christian feast day: Engratia
  • —Christian feast day: Fructuosus of Braga
  • —Christian feast day: Isabella Gilmore (Church of England)
  • —Christian feast day: Martyrs of Zaragoza
  • —Christian feast day: Molly Brant (Konwatsijayenni) (Anglican Church of Canada, Episcopal Church)

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