November 16

William Becknell set out from Franklin, Missouri, in 1821 seeking new markets for American goods. On November 16, 1822, he arrived in Santa Fe, then part of newly independent Mexico, successfully trading cloth, trinkets, and hardware. His expedition followed Indigenous trails across the plains, gradually formalizing the route later known as the Santa Fe Trail. The trail spanning over 900 miles became a major artery for trade, migration, and cultural exchange in the American West. Becknell's journey opened the door to commerce that linked the United States interior with Mexican territories. In subsequent years, wagons laden with manufactured goods traveled east while silver, furs, and mules journeyed west. The Santa Fe Trail remained vital until the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century, shaping the economic development of the region.

On November 16, 1979, Romania inaugurated the first segment of the Bucharest Metro, running from Timpuri Noi to Semănătoarea stations. The launch of Line M1 represented a major achievement in Bucharest's urban development and public transportation. Construction of the underground network had begun in the 1970s to alleviate traffic congestion and modernize the city. The initial stretch featured modern stations and Soviet-built trainsets. The metro quickly became a backbone of daily commuting, significantly reducing travel times for residents. Over subsequent decades, the system expanded beyond the original line, but the opening of M1 marked the start of Bucharest's rapid transit era.