1620day.year
Pilgrims set sail for Virginia from Plymouth, England in the Mayflower.
In 1620, the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, carrying Pilgrims bound for the New World to seek religious freedom.
On September 16, 1620, a group of English Separatists known as the Pilgrims departed Plymouth, England aboard the Mayflower. They braved a perilous Atlantic crossing in search of a place to practice their faith freely. Their voyage took 66 days, navigating treacherous storms and limited provisions. The passengers included farmers, craftsmen, and their families aiming to establish a new settlement in Virginia. Though they landed at Cape Cod instead, their journey laid the foundation for Plymouth Colony. The Mayflower’s departure became an enduring symbol of courage, perseverance, and the quest for liberty.
1620
Pilgrims
Mayflower
1863day.year
Robert College, in Istanbul, the first American educational institution outside the United States, is founded by Christopher Robert, an American philanthropist.
On September 16, 1863, Robert College opened in Istanbul as the first American educational institution established abroad.
Philanthropist Christopher Robert and missionary Cyrus Hamlin founded Robert College on September 16, 1863, overlooking the Bosphorus in Istanbul. It became the first American liberal arts college outside the United States, offering instruction in English to Christian and Muslim students alike. The institution aimed to promote intercultural dialogue, modern education, and scientific inquiry in the Ottoman Empire. Its campus quickly grew to include state-of-the-art facilities for science, literature, and the arts. Graduates of Robert College went on to become influential leaders in politics, diplomacy, and commerce across Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The college’s legacy endures today as part of Boğaziçi University in modern Turkey.
1863
Robert College
Istanbul
Christopher Robert
1893day.year
Settlers make a land run for prime land in the Cherokee Strip in Oklahoma.
In 1893, thousands of settlers participated in the famed Cherokee Strip land run, racing to stake claims on open Oklahoma territory.
On September 16, 1893, at the sound of a signal gun, approximately 100,000 settlers surged into the Cherokee Outlet in Oklahoma Territory in one of the largest land runs in U.S. history. Participants raced on horseback, in wagons, and on foot to claim plots of government land opened for settlement. The land run followed a lengthy legal struggle over the region reserved for the Cherokee Nation, and its opening reflected the federal government’s aggressive westward expansion policies. Many hopeful families endured harsh conditions and fierce competition to establish farms and ranches. The event profoundly reshaped Oklahoma’s demographic and economic landscape, leading to the rapid development of new towns and communities in the region.
1893
land run
Cherokee Strip
Oklahoma
1956day.year
TCN-9 Sydney is the first Australian television station to commence regular broadcasts.
Australia's TCN-9 Sydney begins regular television broadcasts, pioneering broadcast media in the country.
On September 16, 1956, TCN-9 Sydney became the first Australian television station to commence regular public programming. The launch introduced TV entertainment, news, and cultural programming to households across New South Wales. It marked the beginning of a new era in Australian mass media, transforming how people accessed information and leisure. Investment in broadcast infrastructure and local production rapidly followed, leading to the establishment of a national television network. TCN-9's debut set the stage for television's role in shaping Australian identity and popular culture in the decades that followed.
1956
TCN-9 Sydney
1976day.year
Armenian champion swimmer Shavarsh Karapetyan saves 20 people from a trolleybus that had fallen into a Yerevan reservoir.
Armenian swimmer Shavarsh Karapetyan dives into a reservoir to rescue 20 people from a submerged trolleybus, demonstrating extraordinary heroism.
On September 16, 1976, after spotting a trolleybus that plunged into a Yerevan reservoir, champion swimmer Shavarsh Karapetyan immediately sprang into action. He broke through thick ice and made over 20 dives into freezing water to reach trapped passengers. Despite time constraints and darkness, Karapetyan managed to save twenty people before suffering severe lung damage. His extraordinary physical endurance and courage earned him the Soviet Union's highest honors. The accident left him with lasting health issues, but his rescue remains celebrated as an incredible act of selflessness. Karapetyan's heroism inspired rescue protocols and highlighted the ability of athletes to make profound impacts beyond their sports.
1976
Shavarsh Karapetyan
Yerevan
2022day.year
The death of Mahsa Amini occurred, which sparked worldwide protests.
The tragic death of Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in custody ignited mass protests across Iran and beyond.
On September 16, 2022, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died while in the custody of Iran’s morality police, allegedly following her arrest for alleged dress code violations. Her death rapidly fueled widespread demonstrations across Iran, with women leading chants against mandatory hijab laws. The protests soon spread to cities worldwide, drawing international solidarity and condemnation of Iran’s human rights record. Demonstrators demanded justice for Amini and greater freedoms, facing a harsh crackdown by Iranian security forces. Mahsa Amini’s case became a symbol of resistance against state repression and gender-based discrimination. The global outcry prompted renewed discussions about women’s rights and governance in Iran and beyond.
death of Mahsa Amini
protests