29 fun facts for March, 16

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
<< March, 15
March, 17 >>
Summary
Throughout history, March 16th has been a significant day, from the birth of US President James Madison to the establishment of West Point Military Academy. The day also holds significance in cultural milestones such as the publishing of "The Scarlet Letter," the introduction of Sesame Street's first autistic character, and the closure of the Louvre during the COVID-19 pandemic.
29 Fun facts
  1. In 1751, James Madison, the fourth President of the United States, was born. Nicknamed the "Father of the Constitution," he played a major role in drafting and promoting the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  2. In 1802, the United States Military Academy at West Point was established on this day. With its main mission of technical training and leadership development, West Point continues to produce top-notch leaders for the US Army and the country.
  3. In 1836, the Republic of Texas approved the Texas Declaration of Independence. This day is celebrated in Texas as Texas Independence Day, which marked the birth of an independent nation after breaking away from Mexico.
  4. In 1850, Nathaniel Hawthorne's novel "The Scarlet Letter" was published for the first time. An iconic work of American literature, the novel explores themes of sin, guilt, and redemption in Puritan Massachusetts.
  5. In 1926, American inventor and physicist Robert H. Goddard successfully launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket, leading to many advancements in science and exploration.
  6. In 1935, Adolf Hitler announced the creation of the Luftwaffe, Germany's air force, and appointed Hermann Göring as its commander. The Luftwaffe played a crucial role in World War II but was ultimately disbanded in 1946 after Germany's defeat.
  7. In 1962, the first round of the 1962 AFL Draft took place, marking the professional debut of many notable football players, including eight future Pro Football Hall of Famers and 14 AFL All-Stars.
  8. In 1968, the My Lai Massacre took place during the Vietnam War. The massacre, in which US Army soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians, is remembered as one of the most horrific atrocities in US military history.
  9. In 1978, Italian politician and former Prime Minister Aldo Moro was kidnapped by the Red Brigades, a far-left terrorist group. Moro was held captive for 55 days before being assassinated by his captors.
  10. In 1984, CIA officer and journalist William Francis Buckley was abducted in Beirut, Lebanon, by a radical Islamist faction. He was held hostage for over a year before dying in captivity.
  11. In 1985, Terry Anderson, a journalist for the Associated Press, was kidnapped in Beirut, Lebanon. Anderson was held hostage for nearly seven years before finally being released in 1991.
  12. In 1988, in Northern Ireland, British soldiers killed three unarmed Irish Republican Army members in an ambush, known as the 'Gibraltar Killings.'
  13. In 1995, Mississippi became the last US state to ratify the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery. The state's ratification came 130 years after the amendment was adopted.
  14. In 2005, Israel officially handed over Jericho to Palestinian control. Jericho is believed to be one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world.
  15. In 2011, the United Nations Security Council authorized the use of force to protect Libyan civilians during the country's civil war.
  16. In 2012, the Encyclopedia Britannica announced that it would stop publishing print editions. The announcement marked a significant moment in its 244-year history, as the encyclopedia shifted to digital formats.
  17. On this day in 2014, a landslide in Oso, Washington, killed 43 people, making it the deadliest landslide in US history.
  18. March 16th is National Artichoke Hearts Day in the United States. Artichoke lovers celebrate this day by enjoying the delicious, tender hearts of this thistle-like flowering plant.
  19. In Latvia, on this day, people celebrate Legionnaire Day, which honors the Latvian soldiers who served in the Latvian Legion during World War II.
  20. In 2017, the long-running children's show "Sesame Street" introduced Julia, its first character with autism, to promote understanding and acceptance of children with autism spectrum disorder.
  21. In 2018, British physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking's ashes were interred in Westminster Abbey, near the graves of Sir Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin.
  22. March 16 is National Panda Day. The day is dedicated to raising awareness about the endangered giant panda and its importance as a symbol of wildlife conservation worldwide.
  23. In 2018, on this day, Slovakia commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Prague Spring, a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia that was forcibly ended by Soviet military intervention.
  24. In 2019, American students held the first school strike for climate in over 100 countries, inspired by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, calling for urgent action on climate change.
  25. In 2020, the Louvre Museum in Paris closed its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This marked the first time the museum had closed for an extended period since World War II.
  26. In 1988, actor and musician Kurt Russel was born on this day. Known for his roles in blockbuster films like "The Thing" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."
  27. In 1942, legendary guitarist and songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker was born. Walker is best known for his "Mr. Bojangles" song, which became a hit in the folk music scene.
  28. On this day in 1963, actress Lauren Graham was born. She gained fame for her roles in popular television series "Gilmore Girls" and "Parenthood."
  29. In 1990, Dutch field hockey player Lidewij Welten was born. Welten is a celebrated Olympian, having won two gold medals and one silver at the Summer Olympics.

Browse all the fun facts per month