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31 fun facts for April, 16

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
April 16th is a day filled with significant events, including the knighting of Isaac Newton, the founding of the University of Georgia, and the completion of the Human Genome Project. Additionally, several celebrations occur, such as Slovakian Teacher's Day and National Eggs Benedict Day in the United States.
31 Fun facts
  1. In 1705, Queen Anne of England knighted Isaac Newton for his contributions to mathematics and science. Sir Isaac Newton is famous for his discovery of gravity and his laws of motion, which laid the groundwork for classical mechanics.
  2. On April 16, 1786, the University of Georgia was founded. The University of Georgia is the oldest state-chartered university in the United States and has a strong reputation for academic excellence and sports.
  3. Pope Pius IX declared Joseph Vaz a Blessed on April 16, 1850. Joseph Vaz was a Catholic Oratorian priest from India, who is best known for his mission work in Sri Lanka, and is affectionately called the "Apostle of Sri Lanka."
  4. In 1862, on this day, the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act was signed by President Abraham Lincoln. The act ended slavery in the District of Columbia by paying slave owners for releasing their slaves, ultimately freeing around 3,100 people.
  5. On April 16, 1867, aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright was born. Together with his brother Orville, the Wright brothers built and flew the world's first successful motor-operated airplane, the Wright Flyer, making history with their invention.
  6. In 1889, on this day, legendary British comedian and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin was born. Chaplin rose to fame during the era of silent film and is best known for his iconic character, "The Tramp."
  7. The first recorded use of insulin to treat diabetes occurred on April 16, 1922. Canadian physicians Frederick Banting and Charles Best were the ones to discover insulin, which proved to be a major advancement in treating the chronic disease.
  8. On April 16, 1943, Swiss chemist Dr. Albert Hofmann accidentally discovered the hallucinogenic properties of LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) while working in his laboratory with ergot alkaloids. This would later lead to a whole new era of psychedelic research and experimentation.
  9. In 1962, on this day, Walter Cronkite took over as the anchor of "CBS Evening News." He held the position for 19 years, becoming widely known as "the most trusted man in America."
  10. On April 16, 1966, Mao Zedong swam the Yangtze River in China. This public event was intended to prove to the people of China that he was still in good health and capable of leading the country.
  11. In 1972, on this day, NASA's Apollo 16 mission was launched. The mission was conducted by astronauts John Young, Charles Duke, and Thomas Mattingly, and included a lunar landing and exploration.
  12. On April 16, 1975, Bhutan became a member of the United Nations. The small South Asian nation joined the international organization to work towards global peace and harmony.
  13. In 1977, on this day, David Frost's landmark interview series with former U.S. President Richard Nixon began airing on television. The interviews, which covered the Watergate scandal and other topics, made television history.
  14. On April 16, 1982, "Express Yourself" singer Madonna's debut single "Everybody" was released. The song has since become a pop culture anthem and served as the beginning of her storied career in music.
  15. In 1983, on this day, the One Pound Coin was launched in the United Kingdom, replacing the existing one-pound note, which eventually went out of circulation in 1988.
  16. On April 16, 1990, the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) accepted responsibility for the massacre of 22,000 Polish officers during World War II in the Katyn Forest. This acknowledgment marked a new era of openness and transparency in Soviet history.
  17. In 1991, on this day, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Costa Rica, leaving at least 95 people dead and thousands injured. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the country.
  18. On April 16, 1996, Britain's Prince Andrew and his wife, Sarah Ferguson, announced their decision to formally divorce. Their marriage had been beset by personal and financial scandals.
  19. In 1997, on this day, 174 nations signed the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification—an effort to manage and mitigate the effects of environmental degradation in drylands to improve the environment and people's livelihoods.
  20. On April 16, 2000, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez implemented a “Plan Bolivar 2000,” aimed at improving the country's infrastructure, health, and education through military and civilian cooperation.
  21. In 2003, on this day, the Human Genome Project was completed. The project mapped out the entire human genetic code, leading to numerous scientific advancements and medical breakthroughs.
  22. On April 16, 2007, a gunman opened fire at Virginia Tech University in the United States, killing 32 people and wounding 17 others. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
  23. In 2013, on this day, Nicolas Maduro officially won the Venezuelan presidential election following the death of President Hugo Chavez.
  24. On April 16, 2014, South Korea faced a tragic ferry accident when the Sewol Ferry capsized, leading to the deaths of over 300 people, mostly high school students.
  25. In 2016, on this day, the Paris Agreement, a global climate change accord, was signed by 175 countries, marking a historic commitment to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.
  26. On April 16, 2018, the Pulitzer Prize was awarded to rapper Kendrick Lamar for his album "DAMN." He became the first non-classical or jazz musician to win the prestigious award.
  27. Established in 2016, National Healthcare Decisions Day seeks to raise awareness and inspire people to have discussions about their end-of-life care preferences in the United States.
  28. April 16 is the National Eggs Benedict Day in the United States, celebrating this popular American breakfast dish made with poached eggs, bacon, and hollandaise sauce on a toasted English muffin.
  29. In 2021, on this day, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, was laid to rest in a private funeral ceremony attended by close family members in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle, following strict COVID-19 protocols.
  30. On April 16, 2021, SpaceX Crew-2, consisting of four astronauts from NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), successfully launched to the International Space Station.
  31. In Slovakia, Teacher's Day is celebrated on April 16, commemorating the birthday of Jan Amos Komensky, a famous educational reformer.

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