On This Day in History – November 16

November 16 has witnessed milestones in science, politics, and culture across centuries. From early colonial settlements to space exploration, this date captures the enduring human drive for discovery, governance, and creativity.

Major Events

1. 1532 – Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro captures Inca Emperor Atahualpa at Cajamarca, signaling the beginning of Spain’s conquest of the Inca Empire.
2. 1776 – British forces capture Fort Washington during the American Revolutionary War, giving them control of Manhattan.
3. 1821 – Missouri trader William Becknell reaches Santa Fe, opening what would become the famous Santa Fe Trail linking the United States and Mexico.
4. 1849 – Fyodor Dostoevsky receives a death sentence for anti-government activities but is reprieved at the last minute, later writing some of the most enduring works in literature.
5. 1907 – Oklahoma becomes the 46th state admitted to the United States, blending Native American and settler cultures into its foundation.
6. 1945 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is founded, promoting peace and cooperation through education and culture.
7. 1957 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules in Roth v. United States that obscene material is not protected under the First Amendment, reshaping censorship laws.
8. 1965 – Venera 3 is launched by the Soviet Union; it would later become the first spacecraft to impact another planet, Venus.
9. 1973 – President Richard Nixon authorizes the construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, designed to transport crude oil from the Arctic to the Pacific coast.
10. 1988 – Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party wins parliamentary elections, making her the first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation.
11. 2000 – Bill Clinton becomes the first U.S. President to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War, symbolizing a new era of diplomacy.
12. 2018 – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration proposes a historic plan to ban menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars to reduce youth smoking rates.

Famous Birthdays

1. Tiberius (42 BC–37 AD) — Roman emperor and stepson of Augustus, remembered for his complex and controversial reign.
2. José Saramago (1922–2010) — Portuguese novelist and Nobel Prize laureate, known for Blindness and The Gospel According to Jesus Christ.
3. Clark Clifford (1906–1998) — American political adviser and lawyer who served under several U.S. presidents.
4. Burgess Meredith (1907–1997) — American actor known for roles in Rocky and Of Mice and Men.
5. Chinua Achebe (1930–2013) — Nigerian novelist and author of Things Fall Apart, considered the father of modern African literature.
6. Dwight Gooden (1964– ) — American Major League Baseball pitcher, four-time All-Star, and World Series champion.
7. Maggie Gyllenhaal (1977– ) — American actress and director known for The Dark Knight and The Lost Daughter.
8. Lisa Bonet (1967– ) — American actress best known for The Cosby Show and A Different World.
9. Pete Davidson (1993– ) — American comedian and actor, former Saturday Night Live cast member.
10. Amar’e Stoudemire (1982– ) — American-Israeli professional basketball player and Olympic medalist.

Notable Deaths

1. Henry the Navigator (1394–1460) — Portuguese prince and pioneer of early maritime exploration.
2. John Napier (1550–1617) — Scottish mathematician who invented logarithms and contributed to the development of modern mathematics.
3. Thomas Pelham-Holles, Duke of Newcastle (1693–1768) — British Prime Minister during the 18th century.
4. Thomas Pelham-Clinton (1752–1795) — British politician and soldier who served during the American Revolution.
5. Clark Gable (1901–1960) — American actor known as the “King of Hollywood,” star of Gone with the Wind.
6. Milton Friedman (1912–2006) — American economist and Nobel Prize winner who shaped modern free-market thought.
7. Edward Asner (1929–2021) — American actor and activist known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Up.
8. Jean Tinguely (1925–1991) — Swiss sculptor famous for his kinetic art machines.
9. Charles Alston (1907–1977) — American painter and sculptor of the Harlem Renaissance.

Holidays

• International Day for Tolerance (United Nations) — Promotes understanding, diversity, and respect among different cultures and peoples.
• Icelandic Language Day (Iceland) — Celebrates Iceland’s linguistic heritage and literary achievements.
• Statia Day (Sint Eustatius) — Marks the day in 1776 when the island became the first to recognize the independence of the United States.
• National Button Day (U.S.) — Honors button collectors and crafters across the country.

Fun Facts

• On this day in 1532, Atahualpa’s capture marked one of the most significant moments in the Spanish conquest of South America.
• The founding of UNESCO in 1945 set a precedent for cultural cooperation after World War II.
• Dostoevsky’s near-execution on this date profoundly influenced his later works, including Crime and Punishment.
• Oklahoma’s admission in 1907 united two territories—Indian Territory and Oklahoma Territory—into a single state.
• Iceland’s Language Day coincides with the birthday of Jónas Hallgrímsson, a national poet who helped standardize modern Icelandic.