533
Politics
Commemoration of Theodora in the Roman Martyrology.
Theodora's feast day as a saint in the Roman Martyrology, recognized for her reforms.
View detailsThis Day
16November
23 indexed achievements across recorded history.
1720
Science
Tried and sentenced to death for piracy in Jamaica
Anne Bonny and Mary Read were tried at the Admiralty Court in St. Jago de la Vega, Jamaica, convicted of piracy, and sentenced to hang.
View details1776
Science
Combat service at the Battle of Fort Washington
After her husband was killed manning a cannon, Margaret Corbin took his place, loading and firing until severely wounded.
View details1796
Politics
Catherine suffers a fatal stroke
Catherine suffers a severe stroke at Tsarskoye Selo on 16 November 1796 and falls into a fatal coma.
View details1796
Science
Stroke and final illness
On 16 November 1796, Catherine suffers a stroke and falls into a coma at age 67, the day before her death.
View details1800
Politics
First First Lady to reside in the White House
Abigail Adams became the first First Lady to reside in the White House.
View details1806
Science
Birth of Mary Tyler Peabody
Mary Tyler Peabody was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the second of the three literary Peabody sisters.
View details1886
Science
Patent granted for window sash holder
Strong was granted a U.S. patent for a window sash holder, continuing her series of household mechanical inventions.
View details1899
Arts
Birth of Mary Margaret McBride
Mary Margaret McBride was born on November 16, 1899, in Paris, Missouri.
View details1908
Politics
Succession of the Xuantong Emperor
Xuantong Emperor follows Cixi's death, continuing her legacy within the Qing dynasty.
View details1911
Law
U.S. Supreme Court orders Standard Oil breakup
The Supreme Court's landmark antitrust ruling dissolved Standard Oil, a decision historians link to the public scrutiny Tarbell's reporting generated.
View details1932
Science
First major stage actress to win the Academy Award for Best Actress
Hayes won the Best Actress Oscar for The Sin of Madelon Claudet, becoming the first major stage actress honored with an Academy Award.
View details1941
1972
1983
Arts
Kennedy Center Honor
Garbo was awarded the Kennedy Center Honor on November 16, 1983, in Washington, D.C.
View details1983
1986
Literature
Heinrich Böll Prize from the City of Cologne
Received the Heinrich Böll Prize for her contribution to German literature.
View details1988
Politics
Elected first woman prime minister of Pakistan and first woman to lead a Muslim-majority nation
Following parliamentary elections, Bhutto was elected Prime Minister, becoming Pakistan's first woman PM and first woman elected to lead a Muslim-majority country.
View details1990
Sports
Competes in and Wins Inaugural Solheim Cup
Lopez competes in the first-ever Solheim Cup, helping the U.S. win.
View details1991
Sports
Youngest player on first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup–winning team
At 19, Hamm was the youngest on the U.S. team for the inaugural Women's World Cup win.
View details1996
Activism
Honorary U.S. Citizenship
Mother Teresa receives honorary U.S. citizenship from Congress.
View details2014
Aviation
Death of Jadwiga Piłsudska-Jaraczewska
Jadwiga Piłsudska-Jaraczewska passed away at the age of 94 in Warsaw, Poland.
View details2016
Science
Presidential Medal of Freedom awarded to Margaret Hamilton
Margaret Hamilton received the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 16, 2016.
View details