1858day.year
The Wernerian Natural History Society, a former Scottish learned society, is dissolved.
Scotland’s Wernerian Natural History Society, dedicated to advancing the study of natural history, formally dissolves after decades of scholarly activity.
Founded in 1808 in Edinburgh, the Wernerian Natural History Society brought together leading geologists, botanists, and zoologists to share research and foster scientific discourse. Named after geologist Abraham Gottlob Werner, the society published proceedings and hosted lectures on topics ranging from mineralogy to paleontology. By the mid-19th century, shifts in scientific institutions and funding challenged its relevance. On April 16, 1858, its members voted to dissolve the society, closing a chapter in Scotland’s rich tradition of learned academies. The society’s legacy endures in the scientific collections and publications it generated.
1858
Wernerian Natural History Society
learned society
1912day.year
Harriet Quimby becomes the first woman to fly an airplane across the English Channel.
Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel on April 16, 1912.
On April 16, 1912, American aviator Harriet Quimby made history as the first female pilot to fly solo across the English Channel, journeying from Dover to Hardelot in her Blériot XI monoplane. Quimby completed the flight in under two hours, demonstrating the possibilities of long-distance air travel. Her accomplishment challenged gender norms and inspired women around the world to pursue aviation. As a journalist and lecturer, she used her platform to advocate for women pilots and public excitement about flight. Tragically, Quimby’s career was cut short later that year by a fatal crash, but her channel crossing remains a landmark achievement in early aviation history.
1912
Harriet Quimby
airplane
English Channel
1943day.year
Albert Hofmann accidentally discovers the hallucinogenic effects of the research drug LSD. He intentionally takes the drug three days later on April 19.
On April 16, 1943, Swiss scientist Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the psychoactive effects of LSD during laboratory research.
Albert Hofmann was working at Sandoz Laboratories when he first synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide.
He inadvertently absorbed a small amount through his fingertips and experienced vivid perceptual distortions.
His accidental acid trip lasted several hours and provided the first documented instance of LSD’s hallucinogenic effects.
Three days later, he deliberately ingested LSD to study its influence under controlled conditions.
This deliberate self-experiment became known as the first intentional LSD trip.
Hofmann’s research opened the door to decades of scientific exploration of psychedelic compounds, influencing psychiatry, art, and counterculture movements.
1943
Albert Hofmann
LSD
April 19
1972day.year
Apollo program: The launch of Apollo 16 from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Apollo 16 lifted off from Cape Canaveral on April 16, 1972, marking NASA's fifth crewed lunar mission.
Apollo 16 was the tenth crewed mission of the Apollo program and the fifth to land on the Moon. Commanded by John Young with lunar module pilot Charles Duke and command module pilot Thomas Mattingly, the mission aimed to explore the lunar highlands of the Descartes region. The crew conducted three lunar EVAs, collected rock and soil samples, and deployed scientific instruments. Mattingly orbited the Moon aboard the command module Casper while Young and Duke descended in the lunar module Orion. The mission returned safely to Earth on April 27, 1972, bringing back valuable geological data. Apollo 16's scientific achievements helped refine our understanding of the Moon's composition and volcanic history.
1972
Apollo program
Apollo 16
Cape Canaveral, Florida