July 16

Events

622day.year

The Hijrah of Muhammad begins, marking the beginning of the Islamic calendar.

Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina marks the start of the Islamic calendar and a pivotal moment in Islamic history.
On July 16, 622 CE, the Prophet Muhammad and his followers undertook the Hijrah, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina. This journey marked a significant turning point, providing a safe haven for the early Muslim community after facing persecution in Mecca. The Hijrah established the first Islamic state in Medina and laid the foundation for the Muslim ummah and its social and political structures. It is recorded as the beginning of the Islamic calendar (1 AH), a timeline still used by Muslims today. The event symbolizes perseverance, faith, and community solidarity in the face of adversity.
622 Hijrah Muhammad Islamic calendar
997day.year

Battle of Spercheios: Bulgarian forces of Tsar Samuel are defeated by a Byzantine army under general Nikephoros Ouranos at the Spercheios River in Greece.

In 997, Byzantine forces under Nikephoros Ouranos decisively defeated Tsar Samuel's Bulgarian army at the Spercheios River.
On July 16, 997 CE, the Byzantine general Nikephoros Ouranos led a well-organized army against the forces of Tsar Samuel of Bulgaria near the Spercheios River in central Greece. Employing tactical surprise at dawn, Ouranos' troops crossed the swollen river and attacked the Bulgarian camp, causing heavy losses and the capture of many soldiers. The victory significantly weakened Samuel's military strength and shifted the balance of power in the Byzantine-Bulgarian wars. This triumph bolstered Byzantine Emperor Basil II’s efforts to reclaim lost territories and paved the way for future Byzantine expansion in the Balkans. The Battle of Spercheios remains a notable example of strategic leadership and the effective use of terrain in medieval warfare.
997 Battle of Spercheios Samuel Byzantine Nikephoros Ouranos Spercheios River
1054day.year

Three Roman legates break relations between Western and Eastern Christian churches through the act of placing a papal bull of excommunication on the altar of Hagia Sophia during Saturday afternoon divine liturgy. Historians frequently describe the event as the formal start of the East–West Schism.

In 1054, the formal split between the Western and Eastern Christian churches occurred when papal legates excommunicated each other in Hagia Sophia.
On July 16, 1054 CE, three papal legates entered Hagia Sophia in Constantinople during the Divine Liturgy and placed a bull of excommunication against Patriarch Michael I Cerularius on the altar. This dramatic act severed ecclesiastical communion between the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in the East. Decades of theological disputes over issues like the filioque clause, papal authority, and liturgical practices culminated in this irreversible rift. The East–West Schism reshaped the religious and cultural landscape of medieval Europe and the Byzantine Empire. Its legacy endures today, with Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism remaining distinct traditions.
1054 legates Western Eastern Christian churches papal bull excommunication Hagia Sophia East–West Schism
1212day.year

Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa: After Pope Innocent III calls European knights to a crusade, the forces of kings Alfonso VIII of Castile, Sancho VII of Navarre, Peter II of Aragon and Afonso II of Portugal defeat those of the Berber Muslim leader Almohad, thus marking a significant turning point in the Reconquista and in the medieval history of Spain.

In 1212, Christian knights from across Europe defeated the Almohad Caliphate at Las Navas de Tolosa, a turning point in the Reconquista.
On July 16, 1212 CE, an allied Christian army assembled after Pope Innocent III’s call for a crusade clashed with the Almohad forces led by Caliph Muhammad al-Nasir near Las Navas de Tolosa in southern Spain. Kings Alfonso VIII of Castile, Sancho VII of Navarre, Peter II of Aragon, and Afonso II of Portugal commanded the coalition, which achieved a decisive victory. The battle broke the military dominance of the Almohad Caliphate on the Iberian Peninsula and marked a major turning point in the centuries-long Reconquista. By opening the Andalusian heartland to Christian advances, it accelerated the gradual reclamation of territories previously under Muslim rule. Las Navas de Tolosa remains celebrated as one of medieval Spain’s most significant military triumphs.
1212 Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa Pope Innocent III crusade Alfonso VIII of Castile Sancho VII of Navarre Peter II of Aragon Afonso II of Portugal Berber Almohad Reconquista medieval history of Spain
1228day.year

Saint Francis of Assisi was canonized.

In 1228, Pope Gregory IX canonized Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan Order famed for his devotion to poverty and nature.
On July 16, 1228 CE, Pope Gregory IX formally canonized Francis of Assisi, recognizing his life of humility, poverty, and deep devotion to Christ. Francis had founded the Franciscan Order (Order of Friars Minor), emphasizing a radical embrace of poverty and direct engagement with the poor and marginalized. His love for nature and all creatures, exemplified in stories of the wolf of Gubbio and the sermon to the birds, endeared him to followers and secular observers alike. The swift canonization underscored his reputation for miracles, including receiving the stigmata on his body. Today, Francis of Assisi remains one of Christianity’s most beloved saints and the patron saint of animals and ecology.
1228 Saint Francis of Assisi canonized
1232day.year

The Spanish town of Arjona declares independence and names its native Muhammad ibn Yusuf as ruler. This marks the Muhammad's first rise to prominence; he later established the Nasrid Emirate of Granada, the last independent Muslim state in Spain.

In 1232, the town of Arjona in Spain declared independence, installing Muhammad ibn Yusuf as its ruler and foreshadowing the Nasrid Emirate of Granada.
On July 16, 1232 CE, the small town of Arjona in the Iberian Peninsula broke away from declining Almohad control and proclaimed the local noble Muhammad ibn Yusuf as its sovereign ruler. This bold declaration marked Muhammad’s first ascent to political prominence and set the stage for his later establishment of the Nasrid Emirate of Granada. Under his leadership, Granada became the last independent Muslim state in Spain and thrived culturally and economically for over two centuries. The emergence of the Nasrid dynasty represented both a final chapter in Muslim rule on the Iberian Peninsula and a remarkable testament to political resilience. Arjona’s break for autonomy thus holds a crucial place in the medieval history of al-Andalus.
1232 Arjona Muhammad ibn Yusuf Nasrid Emirate of Granada
1251day.year

Celebrated by the Carmelite Order–but doubted by modern historians–as the day when Saint Simon Stock had a vision of the Virgin Mary.

Celebrated in 1251 by the Carmelite Order, Saint Simon Stock reportedly received a vision of the Virgin Mary, a tradition honored to this day.
On July 16, 1251 CE, tradition holds that Saint Simon Stock, then Prior General of the Carmelite Order, experienced a vision of the Virgin Mary granting him the Brown Scapular. This event is commemorated by Carmelites as a sign of Mary’s special protection over their community. Despite its rich devotional legacy, modern historians debate the historical accuracy due to scarce contemporary sources. Regardless of its veracity, the vision has inspired centuries of Marian devotion and the widespread use of the scapular as a symbol of faith and comfort. Each year, the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16 celebrates this enduring spiritual tradition.
1251 Carmelite Order Simon Stock Virgin Mary
1377day.year

King Richard II of England is crowned.

In 1377, Richard II officially ascended to the English throne in a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
On July 16, 1377 CE, the ten-year-old Richard II was crowned King of England in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey following the death of his grandfather, Edward III. As a child monarch, Richard initially reigned under the guidance of powerful regents and councilors during a turbulent period of political factionalism. His early coronation marked the beginning of a twelve-year minority and set the stage for his later challenges in asserting authority. Richard’s reign would later be defined by conflicts with the English nobility, culminating in his eventual deposition in 1399. The young king’s enthronement remains a poignant example of medieval succession and governance under minority rule.
1377 Richard II of England
1536day.year

Jacques Cartier, navigator and explorer, returns home to St. Malo after claiming Stadacona (Quebec), Hochelaga (Montreal) and the River of Canada (St. Lawrence River) region for France.

In 1536, Jacques Cartier returned to Saint-Malo after his second expedition, claiming parts of present-day Canada for France.
On July 16, 1536 CE, French navigator Jacques Cartier returned to his home port of Saint-Malo after his second North American voyage. During this expedition, Cartier ventured up the St. Lawrence River, charting territories he named Stadacona (Quebec) and Hochelaga (Montreal). He claimed these regions for King Francis I, laying the foundations for France’s colonial ambitions in the New World. Cartier’s detailed maps and accounts ignited further interest in transatlantic exploration and the lucrative trade opportunities of North America. His travels significantly expanded European knowledge of the continent’s geography and indigenous cultures.
1536 Jacques Cartier
1661day.year

The first banknotes in Europe are issued by the Swedish bank Stockholms Banco.

In 1661, Stockholms Banco in Sweden issued Europe’s first banknotes, pioneering a new era of paper currency.
On July 16, 1661 CE, Stockholms Banco, founded by Johan Palmstruch, issued the first banknotes in Europe, marking a revolutionary shift from metal coins to paper currency. These early notes addressed chronic shortages of silver and copper coinage by providing a portable and convenient medium of exchange. Although the experiment led to widespread adoption of paper money, the bank later collapsed due to over-issuance and lack of reserves. The lessons learned prompted the Swedish government to establish the Riksens Ständers Bank (now Sveriges Riksbank) in 1668, the world’s oldest surviving central bank. Stockholms Banco’s pioneering banknotes thus laid the groundwork for modern banking and monetary policy.
1661 banknotes Stockholms Banco
1683day.year

Manchu Qing dynasty naval forces under commander Shi Lang defeat the Kingdom of Tungning in the Battle of Penghu near the Pescadores Islands.

In 1683, Qing naval commander Shi Lang crushed the Kingdom of Tungning’s fleet at Penghu, securing Qing dominance over Taiwan.
In 1683, the Manchu Qing dynasty launched a decisive naval campaign to subdue the Kingdom of Tungning, based in Taiwan. Under the expert command of Shi Lang, Qing warships engaged Zheng Keshuang’s forces near the Pescadores Islands. The Battle of Penghu unfolded on July 16, with Qing ships utilizing superior firepower and tactics. After fierce close-quarters fighting, Shi Lang’s fleet overwhelmed Tungning defenders, sinking or capturing many vessels. The victory ended Zheng resistance and forced the surrender of Taiwan the following year. It paved the way for Taiwan’s formal incorporation into the Qing empire. Shi Lang’s triumph remains a landmark in Qing naval history and Sino-Taiwan relations.
1683 Qing dynasty Shi Lang Kingdom of Tungning Battle of Penghu Pescadores Islands
1769day.year

Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission, Mission San Diego de Alcalá. Over the following decades, it evolves into the city of San Diego, California.

On July 16, 1769, Father Junípero Serra established Mission San Diego de Alcalá, California’s first Spanish mission, laying the foundation for San Diego.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded by Franciscan friar Junípero Serra as the inaugural settlement in California’s chain of 21 missions. Located near present-day San Diego, the mission served as a religious, agricultural, and cultural center. Father Serra and his fellow missionaries sought to convert and assimilate the Kumeyaay people into Spanish colonial society. The mission introduced European livestock, crops, and farming techniques to the region. Over the next five decades, the site grew into a civilian pueblo that evolved into modern San Diego. The mission’s adobe church, reconstructed after multiple earthquakes, remains an architectural landmark. Today it stands as a historical museum and UNESCO tentative site, reflecting California’s colonial heritage. The founding of Mission San Diego marked the beginning of Spain’s enduring influence on the American West.
1769 Junípero Serra California Mission San Diego de Alcalá San Diego, California