On This Day in History – January 16

Major Events

• 27 BCE – Octavian is granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.
• 1547 – Ivan IV, later known as Ivan the Terrible, is crowned the first Tsar of Russia.
• 1707 – The Scottish Parliament ratifies the Act of Union, paving the way for the creation of Great Britain.
• 1919 – Prohibition begins in the United States following ratification of the 18th Amendment.
• 1920 – The League of Nations holds its first meeting in Paris.
• 1945 – Adolf Hitler retreats to an underground bunker in Berlin as Allied forces close in.
• 1969 – Czechoslovak student Jan Palach sets himself on fire in protest of Soviet occupation.
• 1991 – The Gulf War begins as coalition forces launch Operation Desert Storm.
• 2003 – The Space Shuttle Columbia launches on its final mission.
• 2016 – International sanctions against Iran are lifted following compliance with nuclear agreements.

Famous Birthdays

• 1749 – Vittorio Alfieri, Italian poet and dramatist (d. 1803)
• 1828 – Franz Brentano, German philosopher and psychologist (d. 1917)
• 1908 – Ethel Merman, American actress and singer (d. 1984)
• 1934 – Dian Fossey, American primatologist (d. 1985)
• 1957 – Vladimir Krutov, Russian ice hockey player (d. 2012)
• 1968 – Ravindra Jadeja, Indian cricketer
• 1970 – Michelle Forbes, American actress
• 1986 – Sidharth Malhotra, Indian actor
• 1995 – Jennie Kim, South Korean singer

Notable Deaths

• 395 – Theodosius I, Roman Emperor (b. 347)
• 1935 – John Gilbert, American actor (b. 1897)
• 1943 – Arthur Eddington, English astronomer (b. 1882)
• 1957 – Arturo Toscanini, Italian conductor (b. 1867)
• 1986 – Howard Aiken, American computer pioneer (b. 1900)
• 1991 – John Davis Lodge, American actor and politician (b. 1903)
• 2009 – John Mortimer, English writer and barrister (b. 1923)
• 2013 – Nagisa Oshima, Japanese film director (b. 1932)
• 2022 – Betty White, American actress (b. 1922)

Holidays

• Religious Freedom Day – United States
• Teachers’ Day – Thailand
• National Nothing Day – United States

Fun Facts

• The title “Augustus” means “revered one” and marked Rome’s shift from republic to empire.
• Prohibition began quietly but led to major social and political upheaval.
• National Nothing Day was created to encourage people to take a break from obligations.
• Dian Fossey’s work was instrumental in protecting mountain gorillas.
• Operation Desert Storm was one of the most heavily televised wars in history.
• January 16 has marked the rise and fall of empires across centuries.