July 16

Events - Politics & Government

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
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
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
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
1790day.year

The District of Columbia is established as the capital of the United States after signature of the Residence Act.

The Residence Act signed on July 16, 1790, designated the District of Columbia along the Potomac River as the new U.S. capital.
Congress passed the Residence Act to select a permanent seat for the federal government along the Potomac River. President George Washington chose the precise location, which combined land donated by Maryland and Virginia. The Act authorized up to $10 million for the construction of public buildings in the new federal district. It also mandated naming the city in honor of Washington and the broader district as Columbia. The establishment of the District of Columbia symbolized the compromise between northern and southern states during the early republic. Surveyor Andrew Ellicott and architect Pierre Charles L’Enfant laid out the city’s grand avenues and public squares. Construction began soon after, with the Capitol and presidential residence among the first projects. Today, Washington D.C. serves as the political heart of the United States, hosting the president, Congress, and Supreme Court.
1790 District of Columbia Residence Act
1809day.year

The city of La Paz, in what is today Bolivia, declares its independence from the Spanish Crown during the La Paz revolution and forms the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Spanish America, led by Pedro Domingo Murillo.

On July 16, 1809, La Paz declared independence from Spain and established the Junta Tuitiva, the first independent government in Spanish America.
La Paz’s uprising against Spanish colonial rule marked a significant turning point in Latin American independence movements. On that day, local creoles and indigenous allies seized control of city gates and arrested royalist officials. They established the Junta Tuitiva, led by the charismatic lawyer and revolutionary Pedro Domingo Murillo. The junta issued a proclamation affirming the city’s independence and calling for the end of Spanish domination. Although the insurrection was quickly suppressed by royalist forces, Murillo’s impassioned cry “¡Quiero libertad!” became a rallying cry across the continent. His execution a month later turned him into a martyr for the cause of independence. The 1809 La Paz revolution inspired subsequent uprisings in Chuquisaca and Alto Peru, eventually leading to Bolivia’s formal independence in 1825. Today, July 16 is celebrated in La Paz as Revolution Day, commemorating the city’s pioneering role in the fight for freedom.
1809 La Paz Bolivia Spanish Crown La Paz revolution Pedro Domingo Murillo
1909day.year

Persian Constitutional Revolution: Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar is forced out as Shah of Persia and is replaced by his son Ahmad Shah Qajar.

The Persian Constitutional Revolution on July 16, 1909, deposed Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar and installed his son Ahmad Shah under a restored constitution.
Discontent with autocratic rule and foreign influence in Persia sparked the Constitutional Revolution of 1905–1911. By 1909, reformist forces had captured Tehran and surrounded the royal palace. Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar, who had bombarded the parliament in 1908, faced arrest and exile. Revolutionary leaders convened a grand assembly that deposed the shah and installed 11-year-old Ahmad Shah Qajar in his place. The move restored the 1906 constitution, limiting royal power and establishing a nascent parliamentary system. Although Ahmad Shah’s reign was largely symbolic, the events of July 16 marked a victory for constitutionalism and modern governance. The 1909 upheaval paved the way for later national movements and set a precedent for popular demands for reform. Despite subsequent political turmoil, the Constitutional Revolution remains a foundational moment in Iranian history.
1909 Persian Constitutional Revolution Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar Ahmad Shah Qajar
1915day.year

Henry James becomes a British citizen to highlight his commitment to Britain during the first World War.

Renowned novelist Henry James became a British citizen during World War I to express his allegiance to Britain.
On July 16, 1915, acclaimed author Henry James formally adopted British citizenship amid the First World War. Born in the United States in 1843, James had long resided in England and felt a deep cultural affinity with British society. His naturalization was intended to underscore his solidarity with Britain during a time of global conflict. The move attracted attention in literary and social circles, highlighting questions of national identity for expatriate writers. James’s decision remains a notable episode in his personal life and underscores the impact of wartime sentiment on individual loyalties.
1915 Henry James
1931day.year

Emperor Haile Selassie signs the first constitution of Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s Emperor Haile Selassie enacted the nation’s first constitution, ushering in modern governance reforms.
On July 16, 1931, Emperor Haile Selassie signed Ethiopia’s inaugural constitution, marking a major shift toward centralized and codified governance. The document introduced a bicameral parliament, established a Council of Ministers, and outlined basic civil rights. While preserving ultimate authority for the emperor, it also provided a framework for legal and administrative modernization. Influenced by European constitutional models, the reform aimed to strengthen Ethiopia’s sovereignty and international standing. The constitution laid the groundwork for future political development and remains a landmark in the nation’s quest for modernization.
1931 Emperor Haile Selassie first constitution of Ethiopia
1951day.year

King Leopold III of Belgium abdicates in favor of his son, Baudouin of Belgium.

Amid controversy over his wartime decisions, King Leopold III of Belgium abdicated in favor of his son, Baudouin, on July 16, 1951.
King Leopold III had ruled Belgium since 1934 but faced intense criticism for his surrender to Nazi forces in 1940. After World War II, a national referendum revealed a deeply divided public opinion on his leadership and wartime conduct. Unable to reconcile these tensions, Leopold announced his abdication on July 16, 1951, transferring power to his son, Prince Baudouin, who served as regent. Twenty-one-year-old Baudouin was officially crowned king later that year, symbolizing a fresh start for the Belgian monarchy. Leopold's departure helped ease political strife and restore stability to the nation. Under King Baudouin, Belgium embarked on economic modernization and reinforced its role in postwar Europe. Historians view the abdication as a pivotal moment that shaped the country's constitutional monarchy into the modern era.
1951 Leopold III of Belgium Baudouin of Belgium
1965day.year

South Vietnamese Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a formerly undetected communist spy and double agent, is hunted down and killed by unknown individuals after being sentenced to death in absentia for a February 1965 coup attempt against Nguyễn Khánh.

South Vietnamese Colonel Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a covert communist agent, was assassinated on July 16, 1965, after a failed coup against the government.
Phạm Ngọc Thảo, a high-ranking officer in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, secretly served North Vietnamese intelligence while outwardly supporting the Saigon regime. He played a central role in orchestrating a coup attempt against General Nguyễn Khánh in February 1965, aiming to shift power dynamics in South Vietnam. After evading capture for months, Thảo was tried and sentenced to death in absentia. On July 16, 1965, unknown operatives tracked him down in Saigon and executed him, removing a key double agent. His assassination highlighted the depths of espionage and the intense factional infighting within the South Vietnamese government. The incident underscored the challenges faced by U.S. allies in countering communist infiltration during the Vietnam War. Historians regard Thảo's career and demise as emblematic of the era's clandestine struggles for influence and control.
South Vietnamese Phạm Ngọc Thảo communist spy and double agent February 1965 coup attempt Nguyễn Khánh
1979day.year

Iraqi President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr resigns and is replaced by Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr stepped down and was succeeded by Saddam Hussein on July 16, 1979.
After nearly five years in power, Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr resigned amid internal party tensions and health concerns. His departure paved the way for Vice President Saddam Hussein to assume leadership of the Iraqi Republic. Saddam consolidated power by taking control of the Ba'ath Party and security apparatus, marking the start of an authoritarian regime. This transition reshaped Iraq's domestic and foreign policies for decades to come. Hussein's rule would later lead the country into wars and internal repression. The 1979 succession remains a defining moment in Middle Eastern political history.
1979 Iraqi President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr Saddam Hussein