681day.year
Pope Honorius I is posthumously excommunicated by the Sixth Ecumenical Council.
In 681, the Sixth Ecumenical Council posthumously excommunicated Pope Honorius I for his perceived endorsement of Monothelitism.
In 681, church leaders convened in Constantinople for the Sixth Ecumenical Council to address the heresy of Monothelitism. Pope Honorius I, who had served from 625 to 638, was accused of tolerating this doctrine in his letters. The council retroactively condemned his writings and formally declared him excommunicated. This rare posthumous sanction marked him as the only pope to suffer such a fate. The decision highlighted the early church’s efforts to maintain theological unity. Honorius’s excommunication underscored the council’s authority and had lasting repercussions on the papacy’s doctrinal oversight.
681
Pope Honorius I
excommunicated
Sixth Ecumenical Council
1400day.year
Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers.
In 1400, Welsh rebels proclaimed Owain Glyndŵr as the Prince of Wales, igniting a national uprising against English rule.
On September 16, 1400, amid mounting resentment toward English dominance, Owain Glyndŵr’s supporters gathered at Glyndyfrdwy in northeast Wales to a bold declaration. They enthroned Glyndŵr as Prince of Wales, rallying thousands for a rebellion that would last over a decade. His charismatic leadership combined chivalric ideals with appeals to Welsh identity and rights. The revolt challenged King Henry IV’s authority and achieved several early military successes. Although ultimately quelled, Glyndŵr remains a symbol of Welsh nationalism and resilience. His proclamation on this day signaled a turning point in the long struggle for Welsh self-determination.
1400
Owain Glyndŵr
Prince of Wales
1701day.year
James Francis Edward Stuart, sometimes called the "Old Pretender", becomes the Jacobite claimant to the thrones of England and Scotland.
In 1701, James Francis Edward Stuart, known as the 'Old Pretender,' claimed the thrones of England and Scotland as the Jacobite heir.
James Francis Edward Stuart, son of the deposed King James II of England and VII of Scotland, asserted his claim on September 16, 1701. With the support of Jacobite sympathizers, he styled himself as the rightful monarch despite living in exile in France. His pretensions sparked decades of conflict known as the Jacobite risings, which sought to restore the Stuart line. Although unsuccessful, these uprisings shaped British politics and inspired fierce loyalty among Highland clans. James’s claim symbolized the enduring struggle between parliamentary authority and hereditary right. His legacy influenced royalist literature and the romantic image of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
1701
James Francis Edward Stuart
Jacobite claimant
1955day.year
The military coup to unseat President Juan Perón of Argentina is launched at midnight.
At midnight, Argentine military forces launch their coup to depose President Juan Perón, beginning his first fall from power.
In the early hours of September 16, 1955, factions of the Argentine military initiated a coup d’état aimed at overthrowing President Juan Domingo Perón. Known as the Revolución Libertadora, the uprising was fueled by growing discontent over Perón’s authoritarian policies and economic challenges. Air Force and Navy pilots conducted bombing raids on government buildings in Buenos Aires as part of the insurrection. The revolt led to street fighting between loyalist forces and rebels, causing civilian casualties and widespread unrest. By late morning, Perón’s supporters were defeated, forcing him into exile in Paraguay. The coup ushered in a military government that dismantled many aspects of Perón's social and labor reforms, reshaping Argentina’s political landscape.
1955
Juan Perón
1961day.year
Pakistan establishes its Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission with Abdus Salam as its head.
Pakistan establishes its Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission under Abdus Salam, laying the groundwork for the nation's space program.
On September 16, 1961, Pakistan formally founded the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) with Nobel laureate Abdus Salam as its first chairman. The commission was tasked with advancing national capabilities in rocketry, space research, and satellite technology. Under Salam's leadership, early projects focused on meteorological studies and sounding rocket launches. SUPARCO's establishment marked Pakistan's entry into the global space race and its ambition to develop indigenous space science expertise. Over the ensuing decades, the agency expanded its mandate to include satellite development, remote sensing, and international collaboration. The formation of SUPARCO reflects the broader postcolonial drive for scientific autonomy and technological progress.
Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission
Abdus Salam
1963day.year
Malaysia is formed from the Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak. However, Singapore is soon expelled from this new country.
The Federation of Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo, and Sarawak unite to form Malaysia, only for Singapore to be expelled months later.
Malaysia was established on September 16, 1963, when the Federation of Malaya merged with Singapore, North Borneo (Sabah), and Sarawak to create a new nation. The union aimed to accelerate economic development, provide security against communist insurgencies, and achieve greater regional stability. However, political and ethnic tensions between the federal government and Singapore's leadership escalated rapidly. On August 9, 1965, Singapore was expelled from the federation, becoming an independent city-state. The initial formation and subsequent separation of Singapore had lasting impacts on Southeast Asian geopolitics. Malaysia's creation remains a milestone in the postcolonial restructuring of the region.
1963
Malaysia
Federation of Malaya
Singapore
North Borneo
Sabah
Sarawak
1975day.year
Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia.
Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia, emerging as a sovereign nation.
On September 16, 1975, Papua New Guinea officially became independent from Australia after decades of colonial administration. The transition followed a period of self-government and extensive preparations for full sovereignty. Michael Somare, a leading advocate for independence, became the country's first Prime Minister. Independence brought challenges in uniting over 800 indigenous languages and diverse tribal regions under a single national identity. The new government focused on developing infrastructure, education, and resource management. Papua New Guinea's emergence as an independent state marked a significant moment in the Pacific decolonization movement.
1975
Papua New Guinea
1975day.year
Cape Verde, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe join the United Nations.
Three newly independent African nations—Cape Verde, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe—are admitted to the United Nations, marking a milestone in Africa's decolonization.
On September 16, 1975, Cape Verde, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe were admitted as full members of the United Nations. These three African nations had recently gained independence from Portuguese colonial rule earlier that year. Their entry into the UN marked a significant expansion of the organization's membership and a powerful symbol of decolonization. The new members joined during the 30th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. Their participation allowed them to voice their concerns on the world stage, from development challenges to global peace. This milestone helped to shape international diplomacy and highlighted the ongoing transformation of post-colonial Africa.
Cape Verde
Mozambique
São Tomé and Príncipe
1979day.year
Eight people escape from East Germany to the west in a homemade hot air balloon.
Eight East German citizens ingeniously escape to West Germany using a homemade hot-air balloon, breaching the Iron Curtain.
On September 16, 1979, a group of eight people launched a small, homemade hot-air balloon from near Pößneck in East Germany. Crafted from nylon sheets and powered by coal-fired burners, the balloon carried them across 45 minutes of flight and over the heavily guarded border. They safely landed in Bavaria, becoming one of the most daring escapes from the German Democratic Republic. Their successful flight exposed vulnerabilities in East Germany's border security and captivated global attention. The escape highlighted the lengths to which individuals would go in pursuit of freedom. The story remains an iconic symbol of Cold War-era determination.
1979
escape from East Germany
1992day.year
The trial of the deposed Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega ends in the United States with a 40-year sentence for drug trafficking and money laundering.
Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega is sentenced to 40 years in a U.S. prison for drug trafficking and money laundering.
On September 16, 1992, the U.S. federal court in Miami concluded the trial of Manuel Noriega, the deposed leader of Panama. Noriega had been captured during the U.S. invasion of Panama in December 1989 and extradited to face charges. Prosecutors presented evidence of his involvement in large-scale cocaine trafficking and extensive money laundering operations. The jury found him guilty on eight counts, and he received a 40-year prison sentence. The trial was a landmark case in international law, as it held a former head of state accountable in a foreign court. Noriega's conviction underscored the U.S. commitment to combating drug cartels and corrupted regimes.
1992
Manuel Noriega
1994day.year
The British government lifts the broadcasting ban imposed against members of Sinn Féin and Irish paramilitary groups in 1988.
In 1994, the British government ended a six-year ban on broadcasting statements by Sinn Féin and Irish paramilitary groups, restoring these voices to radio and television for the first time since 1988.
The broadcasting ban was first imposed in 1988 amid the height of the Northern Ireland Troubles.
It prevented Sinn Féin and associated groups from having their speeches or interviews broadcast in the UK.
On September 16, 1994, the British government lifted the restrictions, allowing these voices back onto radio and television.
This move was part of broader peace efforts, signaling a shift towards dialogue over censorship.
The decision faced both praise for promoting free speech and criticism from those opposed to Sinn Féin's platform.
Restoring media access played a symbolic role in the evolving peace process and public discourse in Northern Ireland.
1994
broadcasting ban
2005day.year
The Camorra organized crime boss Paolo Di Lauro is arrested in Naples, Italy.
Italian authorities arrested Paolo Di Lauro, the feared leader of Naples' Camorra crime organization, on September 16, 2005, delivering a major blow to organized crime.
Paolo Di Lauro had risen through the ranks to lead a powerful Camorra clan in Naples.
His organization was notorious for drug trafficking, extortion, and violent turf wars.
After years as one of Italy's most wanted criminals, Di Lauro was captured in a coordinated police operation.
The arrest took place in the Secondigliano suburb, where he had gone into hiding.
This event marked a major success for Italian law enforcement's efforts against organized crime.
Authorities seized assets and dismantled parts of his network following his detention.
Di Lauro's arrest sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld and offered hope for renewed public safety.
2005
Camorra
Paolo Di Lauro