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On This Day · The 289th day of the year

October 16

A look at October 16 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Günter Grass and Inna, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♎ZodiacLibra ◈BirthstoneOpal ❀Birth flowerMarigold
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2013

    Lao Airlines Flight 301

    Lao Airlines Flight 301 crashes on approach to Pakse International Airport in Laos, killing 49 people.

    2013 aviation accident
  2. 1998

    Augusto Pinochet

    Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London on a murder extradition warrant.

    Dictator of Chile from
  3. 1964

    Project 596

    China detonates its first nuclear weapon.

    First Chinese nuclear test,
  4. 1953

    Cuba

    Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro delivers his "History Will Absolve Me" speech, and is sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment by the Fulgencio Batista government for leading an attack on the Moncada Barracks.

    Country in the Caribbean
  5. 1939

    World War II

    World War II: No. 603 Squadron RAF intercepts the first Luftwaffe raid on Britain.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1923

    Walt Disney

    Walt Disney and his brother, Roy, found the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio, today known as The Walt Disney Company.

    American animator, producer and
  7. 1916

    Margaret Sanger

    Margaret Sanger opens the first family planning clinic in the United States.

    American birth control activist
  8. 1875

    Brigham Young University

    Brigham Young University is founded in Provo, Utah.

    Private university in Provo,
  9. 1384

    Jadwiga of Poland

    Jadwiga is crowned King of Poland, although she is a woman.

    King of Poland from
  10. 690

    Wu Zetian

    Empress Wu Zetian ascends to the throne of the Tang dynasty and proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire.

    Empress regnant of China
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Famous birthday twins

Born on October 16

Günter Grass

b. 1927

German novelist, poet, playwright, Nobel Prize laureate

Inna

b. 1986

Romanian singer

Oscar Wilde

b. 1854

Irish playwright, novelist, and poet

Hema Malini

b. 1948

Indian actress, director, producer, and politician

David Ben-Gurion

b. 1886

Polish-Israeli soldier and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Israel

Andrei Chikatilo

b. 1936

Ukrainian-Russian serial killer

Nico

b. 1938

German singer-songwriter, model, and actress

Enver Hoxha

b. 1908

Albanian general and politician, Prime Minister of Albania

Deaths

  • 2023Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and Nobel Prize laureate
  • 2017Daphne Caruana Galizia, Maltese journalist and blogger
  • 2013Ed Lauter, American actor
  • 1946Alfred Jodl, German general and war criminal
  • 1793Marie Antoinette, Austrian-born queen consort of Louis XVI of France
  • 1523Luca Signorelli, Italian painter (born c.1450)

Holidays & observances

  • —Air Force Day (Bulgaria)
  • —Boss's Day (United States)
  • —Christian feast day: Balderic (Baudry) of Monfaucon
  • —Christian feast day: Bercharius
  • —Christian feast day: Bertrand of Comminges
  • —Christian feast day: Colmán of Kilroot (Colman mac Cathbaid)
  • —Christian feast day: Eliphius
  • —Christian feast day: Fortunatus of Casei

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