May 16
Today In History

Historical Events in 1916

1916 The Battle of Gallipoli concluded in 1916 with an Ottoman Empire victory, marking a significant chapter in World War I and a turning point in the conflict's Eastern Theater.

1916 World War I saw Imperial Russia launching the Erzurum Offensive in 1916, leading to the Ottoman Empire's defeat.

1916 Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann receive the Pour le Mérite for achieving eight aerial victories each.

1916 The U.S. Supreme Court declares the federal income tax constitutional in the landmark case Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., impacting taxation policies.

1916 The Centre Block of the Parliament buildings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada burns down with the loss of seven lives.

1916 The Battle of Verdun began in France in 1916, a pivotal confrontation during World War I that would test the endurance of both sides.

1916 The Governor-General of Korea establishes a clinic called Jahyewon in Sorokdo to segregate Hansen's disease patients.

1916 World War I: In the Battle of Verdun, a German unit captures Fort Douaumont, keystone of the French defences, without a fight.

1916 Ocean liner SS Maloja strikes a mine near Dover and sinks with the loss of 155 lives.

1916 Tokelau is annexed by the United Kingdom.

1916 In South Carolina, the minimum working age for factory, mill, and mine workers is raised from 12 to 14 years old.

1916 The backdrop of World War I sets the stage for the Battle of Dujaila, where British forces make a valiant but unsuccessful attempt to relieve the siege of Kut, located in present-day Iraq.

1916 Pancho Villa, a central figure in the Mexican Revolution, led a daring raid on Columbus, New Mexico, a border town, leaving a significant mark on history.

1916 Under the command of John J. Pershing, the 7th and 10th US cavalry regiments embarked on a significant mission, crossing into Mexico in pursuit of Pancho Villa.

1916 Albert Einstein unveiled his groundbreaking general theory of relativity, a scientific masterpiece that would reshape our understanding of the cosmos.

1916 Yuan Shikai's abdication as Emperor of China paves the way for the Republic's restoration, symbolizing a shift in political power.

1916 High in the Dolomites during World War I's White War on the Italian front, Italian troops triumphed as they conquered the Col di Lana, previously held by the Austrian army, in a remarkable mine warfare operation at high altitude.

1916 Dublin becomes the epicenter of resistance as Irish rebels, led by the indomitable Patrick Pearse and James Connolly, rise against British rule, proclaiming the birth of the Irish Republic in the historic Easter Rising.

1916 In a daring rescue mission born of unwavering determination, Ernest Shackleton and a courageous team launch a lifeboat from desolate Elephant Island in the Southern Ocean to orchestrate the salvation of the stranded crew of the sunken Endurance.

1916 Anzac Day, a solemn occasion, was commemorated for the first time, marking the one-year anniversary of the ANZAC Cove landing and honoring those who served in World War I.

1916 The Battle of Mount Street Bridge unfolded during the Easter Rising of 1916, becoming a symbol of Irish resistance and a defining moment in the struggle for Irish independence.

1916 Amid World War I, the UK's 6th Indian Division reluctantly surrendered to Ottoman Forces at the Siege of Kut, marking a humbling moment in British military history.

1916 The Easter Rising, a fervent rebellion, concluded as Irish rebel leaders surrendered to British forces in Dublin, marking the end of a defining chapter in Irish history.

1916 Djemal Pasha's ruthless execution of twenty-one Lebanese nationalists in Beirut's Martyrs' Square cast a long shadow over the struggle for Lebanese independence.

1916 Vietnamese Emperor Duy Tân's capture while rallying his people against French colonial rule marked a tragic turning point in Vietnam's tumultuous history, leading to his exile on Réunion island.

1916 A perilous odyssey unfolds as Ernest Shackleton, aboard the lifeboat James Caird, completes an 800-nautical-mile journey from Elephant Island to South Georgia.

1916 The secret Sykes-Picot Agreement is signed, marking a pivotal moment in the partitioning of former Ottoman territories, shaping the destiny of the Middle East.

1916 Battle of Jutland, the grand naval showdown of World War I, left its mark as British and German fleets clashed in an epic but inconclusive battle.

1916 The United States strengthens its defense capabilities with the signing of the National Defense Act, which significantly bolsters the size of the National Guard, adding 450,000 men to its ranks.

1916 The Brusilov Offensive of World War I commenced in 1916 as Russia unleashed a fierce artillery barrage on Austro-Hungarian lines in Galicia, marking a significant chapter in the Eastern Front of the war.

1916 Louis Brandeis made history by being sworn in as a Justice of the United States Supreme Court, becoming the first American Jew to hold this esteemed position. His legacy endures to this day.

1916 World War I saw the inception of the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire, a pivotal chapter in the broader conflict that reshaped the Middle East.

1916 The Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire was declared by Hussein bin Ali, Sharif of Mecca, marking a crucial moment in the Middle East's history.

1916 United States President Woodrow Wilson signs a historic bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America, forever shaping the landscape of youth organizations in the country.

1916 Mary Pickford, a trailblazing figure in cinema, shatters gender barriers by becoming the first female film star to sign a million-dollar contract, forever altering the course of Hollywood history.

1916 Roger Casement, once a British diplomat, now an Irish nationalist, faces a grim fate as he is sentenced to death for his role in the Easter Rising, a turning point in Ireland's quest for independence.

1916 In "the day Sussex died" in 1916, elements of the Royal Sussex Regiment suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of the Boar's Head at Richebourg-l'Avoué in France during World War I, a somber chapter in the regiment's history.

1916 The first day of the Battle of the Somme in 1916 resulted in a staggering toll, with 19,000 British Army soldiers killed and 40,000 wounded. This battle, a part of World War I, left an indelible mark on the collective memory of the conflict.

1916 The birth of the New Zealand Labour Party in Wellington heralds the rise of labor politics in the nation, impacting its future direction.

1916 The Battle of Delville Wood unfolded as a critical action within the larger Battle of the Somme, enduring until September 3, 1916, with far-reaching historical implications for all involved.

1916 In Seattle, Washington, William Boeing and George Conrad Westervelt lay the foundation for aviation history by incorporating Pacific Aero Products, later known as Boeing, a name synonymous with flight innovation.

1916 In 1916 AD, during World War I, the Battle of Fromelles witnessed British and Australian troops launching an assault on German trenches as part of the Battle of the Somme.

1916 During a parade on Market Street in San Francisco, a bomb explodes, resulting in ten fatalities and injuries to 40 people in the Preparedness Day Bombing.

1916 The Black Tom explosion's cataclysmic impact on New York Harbor, resulting in widespread destruction and losses.

1916 The sinking of the Italian battleship Leonardo da Vinci in Taranto, resulting from Austrian sabotage during World War I, marked a significant naval incident of that era.

1916 The Battle of Romani in World War I secures the Suez Canal, marking a significant victory for Allied forces.

1916 Canada and the United States sign the Migratory Bird Treaty, a pioneering effort in wildlife conservation that sets an important precedent for cross-border cooperation.

1916 In 1916, Romania signed a secretive treaty with the Entente Powers, committing to join World War I on the side of the Allies, a move that had far-reaching consequences for the conflict in Eastern Europe.

1916 The establishment of the United States National Park Service marks a historic commitment to preserving the nation's natural treasures.

1916 World War I: The Kingdom of Romania enters the war on the side of the Allies, declaring war on Austria-Hungary and reshaping the course of the conflict.

1916 In a significant turn of events during World War I, Germany declares war on Romania, further intensifying the global conflict.

1916 Italy enters World War I by declaring war on Germany, adding a new dimension to the complex web of alliances and hostilities in the conflict.

1916 The United States passes the Philippine Autonomy Act, a significant step towards self-governance for the Philippines.

1916 In a daring rescue operation, Ernest Shackleton successfully saves all of his stranded men on Elephant Island in Antarctica, showcasing the indomitable spirit of exploration.

1916 : In a historic moment, Leefe Robinson shot down the German airship Schütte-Lanz SL 11 over Cuffley, north of London. This event marked the first successful downing of a German airship on British soil.

1916 The enactment of the Federal Employers Liability Act in 1916 granted US federal employees the right to workers' compensation, a significant development in labor law.

1916 Augusta and Adeline Van Buren's audacious cross-country motorcycle journey challenged societal norms, proving that women were more than capable of serving as military dispatch riders.

1916 The Quebec Bridge experiences its second disaster as the central span collapses, resulting in the tragic loss of 11 lives.

1916 Tanks made their battlefield debut at the Battle of the Somme during World War I, revolutionizing modern warfare.

1916 On this day in 1916, Manfred von Richthofen, known as "The Red Baron," achieved his first aerial combat victory near Cambrai, France. He would go on to become one of the most famous flying aces of World War I.

1916 Belgian Congo's colonial forces capture Tabora during the East African Campaign in World War I.

1916 In a palace coup on September 27, 1916, Iyasu V was deposed as ruler of Ethiopia in favor of his aunt Zewditu. This political maneuver marked a significant change in Ethiopian leadership and the country's historical trajectory.

1916 Georgia Tech's remarkable victory over Cumberland University in football, with a score of 222, becomes a legendary sports achievement.

1916 In 1916, Margaret Sanger's opening of the first family planning clinic in the United States marked a significant step toward reproductive health awareness.

1916 Empress Zewditu I solidifies her rule as Negus Mikael's march on the Ethiopian capital ends in defeat by Fitawrari abte Giyorgis.

1916 Russian politician Pavel Milyukov delivered his famous "stupidity or treason" speech in the State Duma, sparking events that led to the downfall of Boris Stürmer's government.

1916 The Act of 5th November, issued by the emperors of Germany and Austria-Hungary, heralded the proclamation of the Kingdom of Poland. This had far-reaching implications for Eastern Europe.

1916 Everett, Washington, bore witness to a tense showdown as political differences ignited a shootout between the Industrial Workers of the World organizers and local police, known as the Everett massacre.

1916 Jeannette Rankin made history on November 7, 1916, by becoming the first woman elected to the United States Congress.

1916 Woodrow Wilson secured his reelection as President of the United States on November 7, 1916.

1916 On November 7, 1916, tragedy struck when Boston Elevated Railway Company's streetcar No. 393 crashed through the warning gates of the open Summer Street drawbridge in Boston, Massachusetts, plunging into the frigid waters of Fort Point Channel, claiming 46 lives.

1916 Prime Minister Billy Hughes' expulsion from the Labor Party during World War I signaled the divisive nature of conscription in Australia during a crucial period of the conflict.

1916 British Expeditionary Force commander Douglas Haig's decision to halt the First Battle of the Somme in France signifies a turning point in WWI.

1916 In 1916, Samuel Goldwyn and Edgar Selwyn co-founded Goldwyn Pictures, contributing to the growth of the film industry and leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood history.

1916 The sinking of HMHS Britannic by mines from SM U-73 in the First World War marked the loss of the largest ship during the conflict.

1916 Costa Rica joins the international community of creators by signing the Buenos Aires Convention, a landmark copyright treaty aimed at protecting intellectual property rights.

1916 In the throes of World War I, the Central Powers seize Bucharest, marking a significant moment in the turbulent course of the war.

1916 The harrowing Battle of Verdun finally concludes in World War I, as the French forces push the Germans back, marking a turning point in the relentless trench warfare on the Western Front.

1916 The Battle of Magdhaba witnesses an Allied victory over Turkish forces in the Sinai Peninsula, highlighting the strategic importance of the region during World War I.

1916 The year 1916 concluded with a mysterious and dramatic event as Russian mystic Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin was murdered by a loyalist group led by Prince Felix Yusupov, with his partially-trussed body found in a Petrograd river.

1916 Hungary's history took a historic turn in 1916 as it witnessed the last coronation, with King Charles IV and Queen Zita receiving their regal titles, marking the end of a centuries-old tradition in the country.

1916 World War I takes a significant turn as the British government passes the Military Service Act, introducing conscription in the United Kingdom.

1916 Manitoba becomes a trailblazer, granting women voting rights in provincial elections, a milestone in Canadian history.

1916 The PGA's establishment in New York City elevates professional golf, setting the stage for the sport's future growth.

1916 Louis Brandeis achieves a historic milestone as he becomes the first Jewish individual appointed to the United States Supreme Court, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's judicial history.

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