Europa
- 714 – Death of Pepin of Herstal (Belgium)
Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the Merovingian palace, died at Jupille (in modern Belgium). His death led to a power struggle in the Frankish Kingdom, with his widow Plectrude holding actual power while his infant grandson Theudoald was named successor. - 1431 – Henry VI Crowned King of France (France/England)
During the Hundred Years’ War, Henry VI of England was crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris. He remains the only English monarch to have worn both the English and French crowns. - 1485 – Birth of Catherine of Aragon (Spain/England)
Catherine of Aragon, Spanish princess and later queen consort of England as the first wife of Henry VIII, was born. Her marriage and subsequent divorce from Henry VIII played a key role in the English Reformation. - 1653 – Oliver Cromwell Becomes Lord Protector (Britain)
Oliver Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, making him the first non-royal head of state in Britain. His rule marked a significant period in British history following the execution of Charles I and the English Civil War. - 1689 – English Bill of Rights Passed (Britain)
The English Parliament passed the Bill of Rights, establishing principles such as free elections, regular parliaments, and freedom of speech within Parliament. This law is seen as a foundational step towards constitutional monarchy and democracy in England. - 1809 – Napoleon and Josephine Divorce (France)
Napoleon Bonaparte was divorced from Empress Josephine by an act of the French Senate, a significant event in French imperial history. - 1944 – Battle of the Bulge Begins (Belgium, WWII)
The Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive on the Western Front during World War II, began in the Ardennes region of Belgium. This battle was one of the largest and bloodiest fought by the United States in WWII and had a significant impact on the outcome of the war in Europe.
America
- Boston Tea Party (1773)
The most significant event in American history on December 16 is the Boston Tea Party. On the night of December 16, 1773, American colonists, led by the Sons of Liberty, protested against British taxation without representation by boarding three British ships (the Dartmouth, Eleanor, and Beaver) in Boston Harbor. Disguised as Mohawk Native Americans, they dumped 342 chests of tea belonging to the British East India Company into the harbor. This act was a direct response to the Tea Act, which imposed a tax on tea and granted the East India Company a monopoly on its sale in the colonies. - 1811: The first in a series of severe earthquakes struck near New Madrid, Missouri, marking the beginning of the New Madrid earthquakes, some of the most powerful in U.S. history.
- 1864: The Battle of Nashville ended as Union forces decisively defeated the Confederate Army, marking a significant Union victory in the American Civil War.
Asia
- 1971 – Victory Day in Bangladesh / End of the Bangladesh Liberation War
On December 16, 1971, the Bangladesh Liberation War ended with the surrender of the Pakistan Eastern Command to the joint forces of India and Bangladesh in Dhaka. Lieutenant General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi of Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Indian and Bangladeshi commanders, marking the birth of Bangladesh as an independent nation after a brutal nine-month conflict. This day is celebrated annually as Victory Day (Bijoy Dibosh) in Bangladesh and Vijay Diwas in India. - 1920 – Haiyuan Earthquake in China
On December 16, 1920, the Haiyuan earthquake struck Gansu province, China. With a magnitude of 8.5, it was one of the deadliest earthquakes in history, killing an estimated 200,000 people. - 755 – An Lushan Rebellion Begins in China
On this day in 755 AD, An Lushan, a general of Sogdian-Turkic descent, launched a major revolt against the Tang dynasty in China. The An Lushan Rebellion lasted until 763, causing immense destruction and loss of life, and significantly weakening the Tang dynasty. - 1991 – Kazakhstan Declares Independence
December 16, 1991, marks the day Kazakhstan declared its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the last Soviet republic to do so. This is celebrated as Kazakhstan’s Independence Day. - 2012 – Delhi Gang Rape Incident (India): On December 16, 2012, a brutal gang rape in Delhi shocked India and the world, leading to widespread protests and legal reforms.
- 1941 – Japanese Invasion of British Borneo (WWII): On this day, Japanese forces invaded British Borneo as part of their World War II campaign in the Pacific.
Africa
- 1838 – Battle of Blood River
On this day, the Voortrekkers (Afrikaner settlers of Dutch descent) defeated the Zulu army led by King Dingane at the Ncome River in what became known as the Battle of Blood River. Outnumbered, the Voortrekkers attributed their victory to a vow made to God, promising to commemorate the day if they prevailed. This became known as the Day of the Vow (or Day of the Covenant, later Dingane’s Day), and it was celebrated by Afrikaners as a symbol of their national identity and religious faith. - 1920s–1930s – Anti-Colonial and Anti-Apartheid Protests
From the early 20th century, December 16 was also chosen by black South Africans and political organizations as a day of protest against racial discrimination and white minority rule. Notably, the Communist Party of South Africa organized anti-pass demonstrations and other acts of resistance on this date, highlighting the day’s dual significance for both Afrikaner nationalism and African resistance. - 1961 – Formation of Umkhonto we Sizwe
On December 16, 1961, the African National Congress (ANC) launched its armed wing, Umkhonto we Sizwe (“Spear of the Nation”), marking the transition from passive resistance to armed struggle against apartheid. The date was chosen for its symbolic resonance with both Afrikaner and liberation struggle histories. - 1995 – First Day of Reconciliation
After the end of apartheid, South Africa’s new democratic government sought to unite the country by transforming December 16 into the Day of Reconciliation. First celebrated in 1995, the holiday now serves as a reminder of the need for healing and unity across racial and cultural divides, recognizing both the Afrikaner and liberation struggle traditions. - 1497 – Vasco da Gama Names Natal
On December 16, 1497, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama sailed along the east coast of Africa and named the region “Natal” (Portuguese for “Christmas”), which would later become the province of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
This day in history: 16 december