October 16

Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa and an accomplished composer, discovered his wife's adultery in 1590. On October 16, he brutally murdered his wife, Donna Maria d’Avalos, and her lover, Fabrizio Carafa, Duke of Andria. The shocking double homicide became a notorious scandal in Italian high society. Though he later faced charges, Gesualdo ultimately escaped severe punishment due to his noble status. The event overshadowed his musical achievements and fueled rumors of his tumultuous personal life. His darkly expressive madrigals are often linked to the psychological turmoil of this tragedy.

On October 16, 1869, workers on a farm in Cardiff, New York, uncovered a ten-foot-tall stone figure claimed to be a petrified prehistoric giant. Dubbed the Cardiff Giant, it attracted thousands of curious visitors who paid to see the so-called discovery. Only later was it revealed to be an elaborate hoax orchestrated by George Hull, who had the gypsum statue carved and buried to fool onlookers. The incident captivated the nation’s imagination, highlighting contemporary fascination with archaeology and sensational exhibits. The Cardiff Giant remains one of the most famous hoaxes in American history, symbolizing both human gullibility and entrepreneurial showmanship.

In 1991, George Hennard drove his pickup truck into Luby's Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas, before opening fire indiscriminately on patrons. The attack lasted approximately fifteen minutes, resulting in 23 fatalities and 20 injuries, making it one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history at the time. Police eventually confronted Hennard, who died by suicide. The tragedy sparked nationwide debate on gun control and public safety. It also led to changes in law enforcement response and emergency medical protocols for active shooter events.