Osun Defender History Corner: March 16 In Focus
Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashbacks and recall some events that marked this day.
March 16, 597 BC
Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II captures Jerusalem, according to biblical accounts.
March 16, 37 AD
Roman Emperor Tiberius dies, leading to the accession of Caligula.
March 16, 1190
The Crusaders massacre Jews in York, England.
March 16, 1244
Over 200 Cathars are burned after the Fall of Montségur in France during the Albigensian Crusade.
March 16, 1521
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines.
March 16, 1621
Samoset, a Mohegan, visits the settlers of Plymouth Colony and greets them in English.
March 16, 1802
The United States Military Academy at West Point is established.
March 16, 1850
Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel “The Scarlet Letter” is first published.
March 16, 1926
Physicist Robert H. Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket.
March 16, 1935
Adolf Hitler orders Germany to rearm herself in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
March 16, 1968
Vietnam War: My Lai Massacre occurs.
March 16, 1978
Aldo Moro, former Italian Prime Minister, is kidnapped by the Red Brigades.
March 16, 1988
Iran-Contra Affair: Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North and Vice Admiral John Poindexter are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
March 16, 2003
Rachel Corrie, an American peace activist, is killed by an Israeli bulldozer in Rafah, Gaza Strip.
March 16, 2014
Crimea votes to join Russia in a controversial referendum following the Russian annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
March 16, 2016
American singer-songwriter Frank Sinatra Jr. dies at the age of 72.
March 16, 2017
German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets with U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time.
March 16, 2019
Cyclone Idai makes landfall in Mozambique, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.
March 16, 2020
The World Health Organization declares the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
March 16, 2022
The European Space Agency launches the Euclid space telescope to study dark energy and dark matter.
Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on March 16. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
