December 16

Events

714day.year

Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the Merovingian palace, dies at Jupille (modern Belgium). He is succeeded by his infant grandson Theudoald, while his widow Plectrude holds actual power in the Frankish Kingdom.

Pepin of Herstal, the powerful mayor of the Merovingian palace, dies at Jupille, leading to his grandson Theudoald's succession and his widow Plectrude's control of the Frankish realm.
Pepin of Herstal was the mayor of the palace and the true power behind the Merovingian kings. On December 16, 714, he died at his villa in Jupille (modern Belgium). His infant grandson Theudoald was named his successor, but real authority passed to Pepin's widow Plectrude. Plectrude managed the Frankish territories from Aachen, securing alliances to maintain her husband's legacy. The event initiated a period of internal strife within the Austrasian nobility. This power struggle set the stage for the rise of the Carolingian dynasty under Charles Martel. The fall of Merovingian power was completed within a generation.
714 Pepin of Herstal Merovingian Jupille Theudoald Plectrude Frankish Kingdom
755day.year

An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, initiating the An Lushan Rebellion during the Tang dynasty of China.

General An Lushan rebels against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, igniting the devastating An Lushan Rebellion against the Tang dynasty.
On December 16, 755, An Lushan, a military governor of Central Asia, revolted at Yanjing (present-day Beijing) against the Tang court. He accused the powerful Chancellor Yang Guozhong of corruption and treachery. The uprising quickly spread through northern China, capturing key cities and undermining imperial authority. At its height, the rebellion threatened the Tang capital of Chang'an and Luoyang. The conflict lasted nearly eight years and marked one of the bloodiest periods in Chinese history. It led to massive population loss, economic disruption, and a weakened dynasty. The Tang court relied on non-Han frontier troops to suppress the rebellion, altering the empire's military structure. The aftermath shifted the balance of power in East Asia for centuries.
755 An Lushan Chancellor Yang Guozhong Yanjing An Lushan Rebellion Tang dynasty
1431day.year

Hundred Years' War: Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris.

Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, asserting English claims during the Hundred Years' War.
On December 16, 1431, during the latter stages of the Hundred Years' War, Henry VI of England was ceremonially crowned King of France at Notre Dame Cathedral. This act was intended to reinforce England's territorial claims and legitimize Henry's rule over France. The ceremony followed English military successes and the capture of Paris earlier that year. Despite the crown, English authority in France remained contested by Charles VII's supporters. The dual kingship placed immense financial and military burdens on England. The coronation underscored the dynastic rivalry that defined the century-long conflict. It also fueled continued resistance among the French population. Henry's reign failed to secure lasting control, and the war would conclude decades later with France's resurgence.
1431 Hundred Years' War Henry VI of England King of France Notre Dame
1497day.year

Vasco da Gama passes the Great Fish River at the southern tip of Africa, where Bartolomeu Dias had previously turned back to Portugal.

Explorer Vasco da Gama crosses the Great Fish River at Africa's southern tip, surpassing Bartolomeu Dias' previous limit and advancing Europe-India navigation.
On December 16, 1497, Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama reached and crossed the Great Fish River (modern Great Kei River) at Africa's southernmost point. Bartolomeu Dias had charted this far in 1488 but turned back, making da Gama the first to maintain course toward India. His voyage opened a new sea route around Africa, reducing reliance on Mediterranean trade routes controlled by Venetian and Ottoman intermediaries. The expedition faced storms, supplies shortages, and navigational challenges along the treacherous Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama’s success marked a turning point in global trade and European maritime dominance. It paved the way for Portugal’s lucrative Indian Ocean empire. The journey demonstrated the capabilities of late 15th-century naval technology and cartography. It reshaped commerce, diplomacy, and cultural exchanges between Europe and Asia.
1497 Vasco da Gama Great Fish River Africa Bartolomeu Dias
1575day.year

An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.5Mw strikes Valdivia, Chile.

A major earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.5 strikes near Valdivia in southern Chile, causing widespread damage.
On December 16, 1575, a powerful earthquake estimated at magnitude 8.5Mw shook the region around Valdivia in southern Chile. The seismic event devastated Spanish colonial settlements and indigenous communities along the shore. The shaking triggered landslides and coastal subsidence, which generated tsunamis impacting the Pacific coastline. Contemporary chroniclers recorded the destruction of churches, fortifications, and wooden structures. Reconstruction efforts were hampered by the remote location and limited colonial resources. The disaster influenced seismic studies and colonial disaster preparedness in South America. While instrument records were unavailable, the 1575 Valdivia earthquake remains one of the largest known pre-instrumental quakes. It served as an early reminder of the seismic risks facing the Pacific Rim.
1575 An earthquake
1598day.year

Seven-Year War: Battle of Noryang: The final battle of the Seven-Year War is fought between the China and the Korean allied forces and Japanese navies, resulting in a decisive allied forces victory.

In the Battle of Noryang, Chinese and Korean allied forces achieve a decisive naval victory over the Japanese fleet, concluding the Imjin War.
On December 16, 1598, the combined navies of the Ming dynasty and Joseon Korea engaged the Japanese fleet at the Battle of Noryang Strait. This final confrontation of the Imjin War followed the death of Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the arrival of Chinese Admiral Chen Lin. Despite foul weather and heavy seas, allied ships executed coordinated attacks that shattered Japanese formations. The victory forced Japan to abandon its plans for further incursions and led to the withdrawal of remaining troops. Admiral Yi, a revered Korean hero, was killed by a stray bullet during the engagement, cementing his legacy. The battle marked the end of Japanese attempts to conquer Korea and restored stability to the peninsula. It underscored the effectiveness of naval artillery and joint military cooperation. The triumph had lasting implications for East Asian maritime power dynamics.
1598 Seven-Year War Battle of Noryang
1653day.year

English Interregnum: The Protectorate: Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, inaugurating The Protectorate era.
On December 16, 1653, following the English Civil Wars, Oliver Cromwell accepted the title of Lord Protector under the new Instrument of Government. This position made him the head of state and government of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The move replaced the monarchy and House of Lords with a republican regime. Cromwell wielded executive authority, commanded the army, and influenced constitutional reforms. His rule sought to enforce Puritan moral standards and stabilize the war-torn nation. Despite military successes, political divisions persisted, and his tenure faced criticism for authoritarian measures. Cromwell’s protectorate laid the groundwork for modern British governance despite its collapse after his death in 1658. The period remains a contentious chapter in British history.
1653 English Interregnum The Protectorate Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector Commonwealth of England
1689day.year

Convention Parliament: The Declaration of Right is embodied in the Bill of Rights.

The Declaration of Right is enacted by the Convention Parliament and embodied in the Bill of Rights 1689, limiting royal power.
On December 16, 1689, the English Convention Parliament formally adopted the Declaration of Right, later enshrined as the Bill of Rights. This landmark document affirmed parliamentary supremacy, prohibited the monarch from suspending laws without consent, and guaranteed basic civil liberties. It followed the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which deposed James II and invited William III and Mary II to ascend the throne. The Bill of Rights established conditions for future monarchs, including regular parliaments and free elections. It also prohibited cruel and unusual punishment and affirmed the right to petition. The act provided a constitutional framework that influenced democratic development in Britain and abroad. Its principles resonate in modern human rights instruments and constitutional monarchies around the world.
1689 Convention Parliament Bill of Rights
1707day.year

Most Recent Eruption of Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji’s most recent eruption, the Hōei eruption, occurs, marking the last volcanic activity of Japan’s iconic volcano.
In December 1707, Mount Fuji awakened in what is known as the Hōei eruption, its most recent volcanic event. The eruption began on December 16, sending ash plumes over 20 kilometers into the atmosphere. Ashfall reached as far as Edo (modern Tokyo), disrupting agriculture and daily life. The eruption formed a new crater, Hōei-zan, on the volcano’s southeastern flank. Although no lava flows occurred, the ash layers significantly altered the surrounding landscapes. The event provided early insights into volcanic processes and was documented in contemporary Japanese annals. Mount Fuji has remained dormant since, becoming a symbol of stability despite its potential threat. The Hōei eruption continues to shape geological and cultural studies of the volcano.
1707 Eruption of Mount Fuji
1761day.year

Seven Years' War: After a four-month siege, the Russians under Pyotr Rumyantsev take the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg.

Russian forces under Pyotr Rumyantsev capture the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg after a four-month siege, affecting the Seven Years’ War balance.
After a protracted four-month siege, Russian General Pyotr Rumyantsev successfully seized the Prussian fortress of Kołobrzeg on December 16, 1761. Located on the Baltic coast, Kołobrzeg was a strategic stronghold for Frederick the Great’s forces. The siege involved coordinated artillery bombardments and trench warfare that wore down the defenders. Rumyantsev’s victory disrupted Prussia’s supply lines and weakened its coastal defenses. The fall of Kołobrzeg further strained Prussia’s military resources during the final phase of the Seven Years’ War. News of the capture boosted Russian morale and underscored the empire’s growing influence in European affairs. The outcome contributed to shifting negotiations that would lead to the 1763 Treaty of Hubertusburg. The battle demonstrated the evolving tactics of 18th-century siege warfare.
1761 Seven Years' War four-month siege Pyotr Rumyantsev Prussian Kołobrzeg
1773day.year

American Revolution: Boston Tea Party: Members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dump hundreds of crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.

On December 16, 1773, colonists disguised as Mohawk Indians dumped hundreds of crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest of the Tea Act.
The Boston Tea Party took place on December 16, 1773 in Boston Harbor. Members of the Sons of Liberty, disguised as Mohawk Indians, boarded British ships and dumped 342 crates of tea into the water. This bold act challenged British taxation and rallied colonial opposition to imperial policies. In response, the British government enacted the Coercive Acts, escalating tensions in the American colonies. The incident marked a turning point on the path to revolution and helped unite the colonies against British rule.
1773 American Revolution Boston Tea Party Sons of Liberty Mohawk Indians Boston Tea Act
1777day.year

Virginia becomes the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation. [1]

On December 16, 1777, Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, the United States' initial governing framework.
Virginia ratified the Articles of Confederation on December 16, 1777, becoming the first state to do so. The Articles served as the original constitution for the newly independent American states. By approving the document, Virginia helped establish a confederal system with a weak central government. The ratification process reflected the desire to maintain state sovereignty while coordinating collective defense and diplomacy. Other states followed suit, culminating in unanimous approval by 1781. Although later replaced by the U.S. Constitution, the Articles laid the groundwork for federal unity and governance.
1777 Articles of Confederation [1]