Osun Defender History Corner: November 16 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

November 16th, 1532

Francisco Pizarro captures the Inca Emperor Atahualpa at the Battle of Cajamarca, marking a significant moment in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.

November 16th, 1776

British forces capture Fort Washington during the American Revolutionary War.

November 16th, 1885

Canadian rebel leader Louis Riel is executed for his role in the North-West Rebellion against the Canadian government.

November 16th, 1907

Oklahoma becomes the 46th state of the United States.

November 16th, 1914

The Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opens.

November 16th, 1920

Qantas, the flag carrier of Australia, is founded as Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Services Limited.

November 16th, 1938

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) is first synthesized by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann.

November 16th, 1940

The Holocaust: In occupied Poland, the Nazis close off the Warsaw Ghetto.

November 16th, 1957

The Apalachin Meeting, a summit of Mafia leaders in the United States, is raided by law enforcement.

November 16th, 1973

Skylab 4, the last crewed mission to Skylab, is launched.

November 16th, 1973

Skylab, the United States’ first space station, is launched into orbit.

November 16th, 1988

Estonia declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

November 16th, 1988

The Palestine Liberation Organization proclaims the establishment of the State of Palestine.

November 16th, 2001

The first Harry Potter film, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (released as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in the U.S.), premieres in London.

November 16th, 2004

NASA’s spacecraft, Swift, discovers its first gamma-ray burst.

November 16th, 2005

Angela Merkel assumes office as the first female Chancellor of Germany.

November 16th, 2013

A rare late-season tornado outbreak strikes the Midwest United States, causing significant damage and multiple fatalities.

November 16th, 2015

A series of terrorist attacks, including suicide bombings and shootings, occur in Paris, France, resulting in 130 deaths.

November 16th, 2018

The Camp Fire, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, begins.

November 16th, 2019

The SpaceX Starship Mk1, a prototype spacecraft for future missions to the Moon and Mars, suffers a structural failure during testing in Texas.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on November 16th. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.