Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
April 16 Thursday, April 16, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 16 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
Technology 173 years ago
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway opens the first passenger rail in India, from Bori Bunder to Thane.
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway inaugurates India's first passenger rail service, running 21 miles from Bori Bunder in Bombay to Thane.
History
What happened on April 16
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -1457World history
Battle of Megiddo: The first battle to have been recorded in what is accepted as relatively reliable detail.
Thutmose III's victory at Megiddo is the earliest battle documented with considerable historical accuracy.
- 69World history
Defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, Roman emperor Otho commits suicide.
Otho, defeated by Vitellius' troops at Bedriacum, takes his own life.
- 73War
Masada, a Jewish fortress, falls to the Romans after several months of siege, ending the First Jewish-Roman War.
The Jews at Masada commit mass suicide rather than surrender to Roman forces, marking the end of the First Jewish-Roman War.
- 556Religion
Pope Pelagius I is consecrated following Imperial approval by Emperor Justinian I.
Pope Pelagius I is consecrated after receiving imperial approval from Emperor Justinian I.
- 682Religion
Pope Leo II is elected head of the Catholic Church, although he will not be consecrated until 17 August.
Pope Leo II is elected to lead the Catholic Church, with his consecration set for later in August.
- 1346European history
Stefan Dušan, "the Mighty", is crowned Emperor of the Serbs at Skopje, his empire occupying much of the Balkans.
Stefan Dušan is crowned Emperor of the Serbs in Skopje, expanding his rule over much of the Balkans.
- 1520European history
The Revolt of the Comuneros begins in Spain against the rule of Charles V.
Spanish citizens rise up against Emperor Charles V, marking the start of the Revolt of the Comuneros.
- 1582World history
Spanish conquistador Hernando de Lerma founds the settlement of Salta, Argentina.
Hernando de Lerma establishes the settlement that would become Salta, Argentina.
- 1797UK history
The Spithead mutiny begins, immobilising the Channel fleet.
British sailors at Spithead mutiny over poor pay and conditions, paralyzing the Channel Fleet until the Admiralty grants their demands.
- 1799War
French Revolutionary Wars: The Battle of Mount Tabor: Napoleon drives Ottoman Turks across the River Jordan near Acre.
Napoleon defeats Ottoman forces at the Battle of Mount Tabor, driving them across the River Jordan during his Syrian campaign.
- 1853Technology
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway opens the first passenger rail in India, from Bori Bunder to Thane.
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway inaugurates India's first passenger rail service, running 21 miles from Bori Bunder in Bombay to Thane.
- 1945WWII
World War II: More than 7,000 die when the German transport ship Goya is sunk by a Soviet submarine.
The German transport ship Goya sinks after being hit by a Soviet submarine, resulting in more than 7,000 deaths.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 16
7 this date All birthdays
Behçet Necatigil
Turkish author, poet, and translator
Behçet Necatigil, the Turkish poet, teacher, and translator who is often considered one of the most important poets of modern Turkish poetry, was born in 1916.
Born
1916
Died
1979
Paul Waner
American baseball player and manager
1903 – 1965
Wolfgang Leonhard
German historian and author
1921 – 2014
Maury Meyers
American lawyer and politician
1932 – 2014
R. Carlos Nakai
American flute player
b. 1946 · 80
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
American basketball player and coach
b. 1947 · 79
Bill Belichick
American football coach
b. 1952 · 74
Music
The number one songs on April 16
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 16, 1910
The oldest indoor ice hockey arena used for the sport in the 21st century, Boston Arena, opens for the first time.
Boston Arena opens as the oldest indoor venue for ice hockey, marking its debut in the sport.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 16, 1943
Albert Hofmann accidentally discovers the hallucinogenic effects of the research drug LSD. He intentionally takes the drug three days later on April 19.
Albert Hofmann discovers the hallucinogenic effects of LSD by accident and intentionally explores its impacts three days later.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Birthday of José de Diego (Puerto Rico, United States)
International
Puerto Rico celebrates all official U
Birthday of Queen Margrethe II (Denmark)
International
Public holidays in Denmark are the holidays recognised in law in Denmark
Flag Day (Jordan)
International
A flag day is a flag-related holiday, a day designated for flying a certain flag or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag
Emancipation Day (Washington, D.C., United States)
International
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent
Memorial Day for the Victims of the Holocaust (Hungary)
International
A number of public holidays and special events take place each year in Hungary
National Healthcare Decisions Day (United States)
International
Lists of holidays by various categorizations
❝
The ballot is stronger than the bullet.
— Abraham Lincoln · born April 16, 1809