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
1849day.year
Antonio María Claret y Clará founds the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, popularly known as the Claretians in Vic, in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
On July 16, 1849, Antonio María Claret founded the Claretian missionary order in Vic, Catalonia, dedicated to preaching and social outreach.
Antonio María Claret y Clará, later declared a saint, established the Claretians as a missionary order dedicated to preaching and education. The congregation’s mission was to revitalize Catholic faith in Spain and abroad through sermons, retreats, and social outreach. Vic, a Catalan town, served as the group’s first headquarters, from which they organized missions throughout Europe and the Americas. The Claretians emphasized devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and engagement with emerging social issues. Within decades, they had founded schools, parishes, and charitable institutions, playing a key role in 19th-century Catholic revival. Claret himself served as Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, and authored numerous spiritual works. The order persists today, active in over 50 countries and involved in education, communications, and social welfare. Their founding on July 16 remains a milestone in modern missionary history.
1849
Antonio María Claret y Clará
Claretians
Vic
Barcelona
Catalonia
1858day.year
The last apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous in Lourdes, France.
The final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Bernadette Soubirous took place at Lourdes on July 16, 1858, inspiring millions of pilgrims.
Between February and July 1858, 14-year-old Bernadette Soubirous reported eighteen visions of the Virgin Mary in a grotto near Lourdes. The last recorded apparition on July 16 drew crowds seeking spiritual reassurance and miraculous healings. During this final encounter, the Lady entrusted Bernadette with a secret message to be revealed later. Investigations by both ecclesiastical and civil authorities examined Bernadette’s character and the nature of the visions. Despite initial skepticism, the Church eventually declared the visions authentic, leading to Lourdes becoming a major pilgrimage site. Millions of pilgrims travel annually to bathe in the spring waters reputed to have healing properties. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes encompasses basilicas, baths, and grotto, reflecting over 160 years of devotion. The July 16 apparition marks the culmination of a profound religious event that reshaped Catholic popular piety.
1858
apparition
Bernadette Soubirous
1915day.year
At Treasure Island on the Delaware River in the United States, the First Order of the Arrow ceremony takes place and the Order of the Arrow is founded to honor American Boy Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law.
The Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts’ national honor society, was founded at Treasure Island to recognize exceptional Scouts.
On July 16, 1915, Scout leaders E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson held the inaugural Order of the Arrow ceremony on Treasure Island, located in the Delaware River. This event established a national honor society within the Boy Scouts of America to acknowledge those who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law. The ceremony featured Native American–inspired rituals and songs, creating a unique tradition. Initially piloted in one council, the Order quickly expanded across the country, emphasizing service, leadership, and camping skills. Today, it remains a prestigious recognition program, fostering brotherhood and continued commitment to scouting ideals.
Delaware River
Order of the Arrow
2004day.year
Millennium Park, considered Chicago's first and most ambitious early 21st-century architectural project, is opened to the public by Mayor Richard M. Daley.
Chicago's Millennium Park opened on July 16, 2004, unveiling ambitious public art and architectural designs.
Millennium Park was inaugurated by Mayor Richard M. Daley as a transformative public space combining art, landscape, and architecture. Featuring iconic landmarks like Cloud Gate and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the park revitalized downtown Chicago's lakefront. Its stainless steel structures and interactive fountains drew millions of visitors in the first year. The project faced budget overruns and construction delays but ultimately delivered a world-class civic gathering spot. Millennium Park hosts concerts, festivals, and exhibitions, contributing to Chicago's cultural prestige. Its success inspired urban renewal initiatives in cities worldwide.
2004
Millennium Park
Mayor
Richard M. Daley
2015day.year
Four U.S. Marines and a United States Navy Sailor are killed in the a shooting spree targeting military installations in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A lone gunman opens fire at military recruitment centers in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing four Marines and a Navy Sailor.
On July 16, 2015, a gunman launched a deadly shooting spree targeting military facilities in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The attacker first opened fire at a recruiting center before proceeding to a naval reserve center, leaving four U.S. Marines and one Navy Sailor dead. The assailant was also killed in a shootout with local law enforcement. This unprecedented assault on domestic military targets shocked the nation and prompted immediate reviews of security protocols at armed forces recruitment sites. Investigators examined the perpetrator’s motives, including possible radicalization and mental health factors. The incident led to enhanced collaboration between local police and military security units to safeguard personnel. Widespread tributes honored the fallen service members, and discussions ensued about the balance between public access and protective measures at military establishments.
2015
U.S. Marines
United States Navy
a shooting spree
Chattanooga, Tennessee