1850day.year

The Charlotte Jane and the Randolph bring the first of the Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton, New Zealand.

In 1850, the ships Charlotte Jane and Randolph brought the first group of Canterbury Pilgrims to Lyttelton, New Zealand.
On December 16, 1850, the immigrant ships Charlotte Jane and the Randolph arrived at Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand. These vessels carried the first group of Canterbury Pilgrims bound for a planned Anglican settlement. Passengers included farmers, laborers, and clergy seeking religious freedom and new opportunities. Upon landing, the settlers began organizing a local government and mapping out the future city of Christchurch. Under the guidance of the Canterbury Association, land parcels were allocated and town planning commenced. The arrival of these pioneers marked a significant moment in New Zealand’s colonial history and influenced its cultural development.
1850 Charlotte Jane Randolph Canterbury Pilgrims Lyttelton, New Zealand
1986day.year

Jeltoqsan: Riots erupt in Alma-Ata, Kazakh SSR, in response to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's dismissal of ethnic Kazakh Dinmukhamed Kunaev, the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, and his replacement with Gennady Kolbin, an ethnic Russian from the Russian SFSR.

On December 16, 1986, ethnic Kazakh protesters in Alma-Ata clashed with Soviet forces in the Jeltoqsan riots after a non-Kazakh was appointed to lead the republic’s Communist Party.
The Jeltoqsan protests erupted when Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev dismissed popular Kazakh First Secretary Dinmukhamed Kunaev. He replaced him with Gennady Kolbin, an ethnic Russian unfamiliar with Kazakhstan's local issues. Students and citizens in Alma-Ata took to the streets on December 16, 1986, demanding local leadership and greater autonomy. Soviet security forces responded with force, resulting in deaths and mass arrests. While suppressed, the uprising became a symbol of national identity and fueled later movements for Kazakh independence.
1986 Jeltoqsan Alma-Ata Kazakh SSR Mikhail Gorbachev Dinmukhamed Kunaev Communist Party of Kazakhstan Gennady Kolbin Russian SFSR
2011day.year

Zhanaozen massacre: Violent protests by oil workers take place in Zhanaozen, Kazakhstan, leading to 16 people dead and 100 injured by the security forces.

On December 16, 2011, Kazakh security forces opened fire on striking oil workers in Zhanaozen, killing at least 16 and injuring over 100 during a mass demonstration.
Oil workers in Zhanaozen had been on strike since May, demanding unpaid wages and better working conditions. The protests culminated on December 16, 2011, during a state-declared Independence Day celebration. Security forces attempted to disperse the crowd, using live ammunition and tear gas. The official death toll reached at least 16, with more than 100 injured. International observers condemned the crackdown, calling for transparent investigations and respect for labor rights.
2011 Zhanaozen massacre Zhanaozen Kazakhstan