Fact 1: Celebration of Beethoven’s Birthday
December 16th is recognized worldwide as the birthday of the legendary classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven. Although the precise date of his birth is unclear, it is widely accepted that Beethoven was born on December 16, 1770.
Fact 2: The Boston Tea Party Happened
On December 16, 1773, one of the most well-known protests in American history was conducted, known as the Boston Tea Party. Colonists in Boston, Massachusetts dumped 342 chests of tea into the harbor as a rebellion against the British Parliament's Tea Act of 1773.
Fact 3: The Day After the Wright Brothers' First Flight
December 16th is known as the day after Orville and Wilbur Wright made their historic first powered, sustained, and controlled airplane flight. They actually made their successful flight on December 17, 1903, making December 16th the last day of a world without powered human flight.
Fact 4: Death of Author Jane Austen
Author of beloved novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, Jane Austen passed away on December 16, 1817. Her influential works continue to be read and celebrated worldwide.
Fact 5: National Chocolate Covered Anything Day
Satisfy your sweet tooth, because December 16th is National Chocolate Covered Anything Day! This lesser-known but delightful national day encourages people to take anything they like and dip it into chocolate. Not limited to strawberries and marshmallows; burgers or broccoli are fair game too!
Fact 6: Kazakhstan Independence Day
This is a national holiday in Kazakhstan, celebrating their independence from the Soviet Union, which took place on December 16, 1991. It is one of the most important holidays in their calendar.
Fact 7: End of Operation Red Wings
December 16, 1814, marks the end of the naval engagement of the War-of-1812’s Operation Red Wings, which saw the British and American forces battle in the Louisiana waters and on New Orleans' land.
Fact 8: The Battle of Nashville Commenced
On December 16, 1864, the two-day Battle of Nashville began during the American Civil War. The Union forces won a significant victory over the Confederate States Army, marking the effective end of their control in the Western Theater.
Fact 9: The Debut of The Nutcracker Ballet
The illustrious ballet, The Nutcracker, made its first appearance on December 16, 1892, in St. Petersburg, Russia. It is now a holiday tradition in many countries and is especially famous for its enchanting music.
Fact 10: First Human Heart Transplant Patient’s Death
Louis Washkansky, the first person ever to receive a human heart transplant, sadly passed away on December 16, 1967, just 18 days after his revolutionary surgery.
Fact 11: Inception of The Bill of Rights
The United States Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the Constitution, was ratified on December 16, 1791. These amendments play a significant role in protecting the fundamental rights of American citizens.
Fact 12: The Launch of Gemini 6A
Gemini 6A, a NASA manned spaceflight, was launched on December 16, 1965. The spacecraft carried two astronauts and successfully rendezvoused with Gemini 7 in orbit.
Fact 13: The Great Storm of 1703 Hits Britain
The most severe storm or natural disaster ever to hit southern Britain occurred from December 14-16, 1703. It caused immense damage and death, still considered a significant event in the country's history.
Fact 14: The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve Established
On December 16, 1980, UNESCO designated the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a conservation area in Mexico, as a World Heritage Site. The reserve is known for the hundreds of millions of Monarch butterflies that overwinter there.
Fact 15: Introduction of Pullman Strike
On December 16, 1893, a general strike halted all railroad traffic west of Chicago. Known as the 'Pullman Strike,' it was a major turning point in US labor history.
Fact 16: Release of The Exorcist Film
Widely known as one of the scariest movies in film history, The Exorcist was released in the United States on December 16, 1973. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon and ranks among the highest-grossing films.
Fact 17: Birth of Arthur C. Clarke
Renowned British science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, author of '2001: A Space Odyssey,' was born on December 16, 1917. His works have significantly influenced the sci-fi genre.
Fact 18: Pope Francis's Birthday
The current leader of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Francis, was born on December 16, 1936. He serves as the 266th Pope and is the first from America and the Southern Hemisphere.
Fact 19: Foundation of The National Hockey League
The National Hockey League, popularly known as NHL, was formed on December 16, 1917. Montreal, Canada, hosted its first official meeting.
Fact 20: Start of The Battle of the Bulge
One of the most substantial and bloodiest single battles of World War II, the Battle of the Bulge, commenced on December 16, 1944. The battle lasted for a month in the densely forested Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France, and Luxembourg.