1632day.year
The Plymouth Company granted a land patent to Thomas Purchase, the first settler of Pejepscot, Maine, settling at the site of Fort Andross.
In 1632, the Plymouth Company granted Thomas Purchase a patent to settle at Pejepscot (now Brunswick, Maine), establishing colonization at the site of Fort Andross.
The Plymouth Company, chartered to promote New England colonization, awarded Thomas Purchase a land patent on June 16, 1632. Purchase became the first English settler in the Pejepscot region along the Androscoggin River. He established his homestead at the former French-built Fort Andross. This settlement marked the expansion of colonial presence in what is now Brunswick, Maine. Purchase engaged in trade with Native American tribes and developed agriculture and timber operations. His venture laid the foundations for a permanent community in the region. The grant highlighted early colonial efforts to secure territory and resources in New England. Pejepscot’s growth would influence the broader development of Maine’s coastal settlements.
1632
Plymouth Company
Thomas Purchase
settler
Pejepscot, Maine
Fort Andross
1824day.year
A meeting at Old Slaughter's coffee house in London leads to the formation of what is now the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).
In 1824, reformers met at Old Slaughter's coffee house in London to found the RSPCA, the world's first animal welfare charity.
Animal welfare campaigners gathered at Old Slaughter's coffee house in London in 1824.
Their meeting led to the formal establishment of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
This organization, later granted royal patronage, became the world's first animal welfare charity.
It lobbied for stronger protections and inspired early legislation against animal cruelty.
Today's RSPCA traces its origins to this pioneering assembly of reformers.
1824
Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
1884day.year
The first purpose-built roller coaster, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's "Switchback Railway", opens in New York's Coney Island amusement park.
Coney Island's Switchback Railway, the first purpose-built roller coaster, opened in 1884 and thrilled early amusement park visitors.
On June 16, 1884, LaMarcus Adna Thompson's Switchback Railway opened at Coney Island.
It was the first roller coaster designed and built for amusement rather than transport.
Passengers enjoyed a rickety wooden ride pulled to its peak before descending along gravity-powered tracks.
The invention sparked the emergence of roller coasters as a staple of thrill parks.
It laid the foundation for the global amusement industry's growth.
1884
LaMarcus Adna Thompson
Switchback Railway
Coney Island
1925day.year
Artek, the most famous Young Pioneer camp of the Soviet Union, is established.
The Young Pioneer camp Artek is established on the Crimean coast, becoming a flagship Soviet youth destination.
On June 16, 1925, the Soviet Union inaugurated Artek, a summer camp for Young Pioneers, on the shores of the Black Sea in Crimea. Designed to instill socialist ideals, Artek welcomed children from across the USSR and allied nations for educational, athletic, and cultural programs. The camp's scenic location and structured environment made it a coveted experience for Soviet youth. Artek's success inspired the creation of similar camps and symbolized the USSR's commitment to youth development. Alumni fondly recall lifelong friendships, collective performances, and outdoor adventures. The camp continued to evolve, reflecting broader social and political changes over decades.
1925
Artek
Young Pioneer
Soviet Union
1976day.year
Soweto uprising: A non-violent march by 15,000 students in Soweto, South Africa, turns into days of rioting when police open fire on the crowd.
Student march in Soweto against apartheid education sparks deadly police violence.
On June 16, 1976, approximately 15,000 black students in the Soweto township marched to protest the requirement to learn in Afrikaans, the language of the apartheid regime. What began as a peaceful demonstration turned tragic when police opened fire on the youth, killing and injuring hundreds. News of the violence spread rapidly, sparking widespread protests and uprisings across South Africa. The Soweto Uprising galvanized international condemnation of apartheid and intensified resistance within the country. June 16 is now commemorated as Youth Day in South Africa, honoring the bravery of the students. Iconic images, such as that of 12-year-old Hector Pieterson’s body being carried after he was shot, became symbols of the struggle for freedom.
1976
Soweto uprising
Soweto
2002day.year
Padre Pio is canonized by the Roman Catholic Church.
Padre Pio, an Italian friar renowned for his piety and stigmata, was canonized by the Roman Catholic Church in 2002.
On June 16, 2002, Padre Pio, born Francesco Forgione, was formally canonized as a saint by Pope John Paul II. Known for his reported stigmata wounds and miraculous healings, Padre Pio had attracted a large following during his lifetime. He served as a Capuchin friar spending most of his life at the San Giovanni Rotondo friary in Italy. Devotees believe his intercession has led to countless healings and spiritual conversions. His canonization ceremony drew thousands of pilgrims to Rome and reinforced his status as one of the most beloved modern saints. Today Padre Pio's legacy lives on through shrines prayer groups and annual pilgrimages.
2002
Padre Pio
2010day.year
Bhutan becomes the first country to institute a total ban on tobacco.
In 2010, Bhutan became the first country in the world to enforce a total ban on the sale of tobacco products.
On June 16, 2010, the Kingdom of Bhutan implemented a nationwide prohibition on the sale and production of tobacco becoming the first country to enact such a measure. While Bhutanese citizens are allowed to consume tobacco, individuals must pay steep import taxes on products they bring into the country. The law reflects Bhutan's commitment to public health and its unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness. Critics have pointed to black market growth but supporters praise the ban as a model for tobacco control. The policy sparked international debate on the balance between personal freedom and collective well-being. Bhutan's tobacco laws remain among the strictest in the world and continue to attract global attention for their bold public health stance.
2010
Bhutan
total ban on tobacco
2016day.year
Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney Park in Mainland China, opens to the public.
Shanghai Disneyland Park, the first Disney theme park in mainland China, opened on June 16, 2016, blending Chinese cultural elements with classic Disney magic.
On June 16, 2016, Shanghai Disneyland welcomed thousands of guests to its newly constructed grounds after years of development and collaboration between Disney and Chinese authorities. The park features the world’s largest Disney castle, the Enchanted Storybook Castle, alongside custom attractions like TRON Lightcycle Power Run and the Shanghai version of Pirates of the Caribbean. Conceived as a $5.5 billion investment, the park was designed to cater to local tastes through Mandarin-language shows, Chinese cuisine offerings, and regionally themed events. Its opening marked Disney’s bold entry into one of the fastest-growing entertainment markets, creating over 10,000 jobs and boosting tourism in Shanghai. The park’s popularity spurred further expansion plans and underscored the importance of cultural adaptation in global theme park development.
2016
Shanghai Disneyland Park
2019day.year
Upwards of 2,000,000 people participate in the 2019–20 Hong Kong protests, the largest in Hong Kong's history.
On June 16, 2019, more than two million Hong Kong residents joined peaceful marches against a proposed extradition bill, marking the territory’s largest protest ever.
Organized by pro-democracy groups, the mass demonstration on June 16, 2019, saw nearly a quarter of Hong Kong’s population rally through the streets to oppose legislation that would allow extradition to mainland China. Participants demanded the withdrawal of the bill, an independent inquiry into police conduct, and broader democratic reforms under the “one country, two systems” framework. The sheer scale of the turnout drew global attention and heightened tensions between protesters and authorities. While the march remained largely peaceful, subsequent days saw clashes and arrests, intensifying calls for political autonomy. The protest highlighted deep public anxiety over civil liberties and the future of Hong Kong’s self-governance, becoming a defining moment in the city’s modern political history.
2019
2019–20 Hong Kong protests