October 16
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Air Force Day (Bulgaria)
A day to honor the achievements and history of the Bulgarian Air Force.
Boss's Day(United States)
A day for employees to express appreciation for their supervisors.
Christianfeast day:
Balderic (Baudry) of Monfaucon, Bercharius, Bertrand of Comminges, Colmán of Kilroot (Colman mac Cathbaid), Eliphius, Fortunatus of Casei, Gall, Gerard Majella, Hedwig of Silesia, Hugh Latimer(Anglicanism), Junian (of Saint-Junien), Marguerite Marie Alacoque, Marie-Marguerite d'Youville, Nicholas Ridley(Anglicanism), Silvanus of Ahun, BlessedThevarparampil Kunjachan(Syro-Malabar Catholic Church/Catholic Church), Pope Victor III, October 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast days commemorate saints, martyrs, and church figures on October 16.
Pope John Paul II Day(Poland)
A national day in Poland to honor the life and legacy of Pope John Paul II.
Death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan(Pakistan)
Commemorates the death anniversary of Pakistan's first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan.
Teachers' Day(Chile)
A day to honor and appreciate teachers across Chile for their dedication.
World Food Day(International)
A United Nations observance highlighting the importance of global food security.
Bu-Ma Democratic ProtestsCommemoration Day (South Korea)
Commemorates the 1979 Bu-Ma Democratic Protests against authoritarian rule in South Korea.
Balderic (Baudry) of Monfaucon
A feast day honoring Saint Balderic of Monfaucon.
Events
Ricimer defeats Avitus at Piacenza and becomes master of the Western Roman Empire.
On October 16, 456, the powerful general Ricimer defeated Emperor Avitus at Piacenza, seizing control of the Western Roman Empire.
Empress Wu Zetian ascends to the throne of the Tang dynasty and proclaims herself ruler of the Chinese Empire.
In 690, Wu Zetian declared herself emperor, founding the Zhou dynasty and becoming the only female sovereign in Chinese history.
Abd ar-Rahman III becomes the eighth Emir of Córdoba.
On October 16, 912, Abd al-Rahman III ascended as Emir of Córdoba, initiating a golden age in al-Andalus.
King Otto I defeats a Slavic revolt in what is now Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
In 955, Otto I crushed a Slavic uprising in the region of modern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, bolstering his realm's borders.
The Council of Vienne convenes for the first time.
In 1311, Pope Clement V convened the Council of Vienne to address church reform, the Knights Templar, and other key issues.
Jadwiga is crowned King of Poland, although she is a woman.
On October 16, 1384, Jadwiga was crowned 'King' of Poland, becoming the nation's first female monarch under a male title.
Prince Gesualdo of Venosa murders his wife and her lover.
In 1590, Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa, notoriously murdered his wife and her lover in a scandalous act of vengeance.
Mathematician William Whiston's predicted comet fails to strike the Earth.
On October 16, 1736, William Whiston's predicted comet harmlessly passed by Earth, discrediting his apocalyptic forecast.
American Revolutionary War: The British-led Royalton raid is the last Native American raid on New England.
During the American Revolutionary War on October 16, 1780, the British-led Royalton raid became the last Native American attack in New England.
Births
Gian Galeazzo Visconti
Italian nobleman and military leader who became the first Duke of Milan and founder of the Visconti dynasty.
William de la Pole
English nobleman and admiral who served as 1st Duke of Suffolk and was a key figure in King Henry VI's government.
King of Scots from 1437 who strengthened royal authority and enacted legal reforms.
Gasparo Contarini
Italian cardinal, diplomat, and reformer who played a key role in early Counter-Reformation efforts.
Niwa Nagahide
Japanese samurai and general who served Oda Nobunaga and helped consolidate his control over central Japan.
Luke Wadding
Irish Franciscan friar, historian, and founder of the Pontifical Irish College in Rome, notable for his contributions to Catholic scholarship.
Charles Coypeau d'Assoucy
French Baroque writer and composer known for his satirical burlesque poems and chansons.
Pierre Paul Puget
French Baroque painter and sculptor celebrated for his dynamic sculptures and architectural designs in Marseille.
Anna Waser
Swiss painter known for her refined portraits and miniatures during the Baroque period.
Deaths
Fu Jian
Emperor of the Former Qin state during the Sixteen Kingdoms period, known for unifying northern China and his ambitious reforms.
Lullus
The first permanent archbishop of Mainz and a key missionary in early medieval Germany.
Al-Hakam II
The second Umayyad caliph of Córdoba, celebrated for his patronage of learning and culture during al-Andalus's golden age.
Fujiwara no Kenshi
Japanese empress consort of the Heian period, known for her cultural patronage and influence at court.
Pedro González de Lara
A prominent 12th-century Castilian nobleman and courtier who influenced the politics and military campaigns of early medieval Spain.
Shams al-Din Juvayni
A Persian statesman and finance minister who administered the treasury of the Ilkhanate and patronized culture and architecture.
Amadeus V
Count of Savoy known as 'the Great', who expanded his territories and enhanced trade routes across the Alps.
Nicholas V
An Italian cleric who claimed the papacy as antipope Nicholas V during a schism in the 14th century.
Anne of Gloucester
An English noblewoman of Plantagenet lineage, noted for her strategic marriages and patronage in 15th-century England.