Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on January 16th?

Octavian (later known as Augustus) celebrates a triple triumph in Rome for his victories in the Battle of Actium.

Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus is granted the title "Augustus" by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.

Herod the Great dies in Jericho, according to historical calculations by some scholars.

The Roman Emperor Severus Alexander is born.

The Parliament of Ireland meets at Castledermot in County Kildare, the first Irish parliament on record.

The papal fortress of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome is seized by forces loyal to Pope Boniface VIII.

The first Treaty of Leake is signed between England and Scotland, temporarily ending hostilities.

The Battle of Burton Bridge takes place during the Despenser War in England.

Alfonso IV becomes King of Aragon after the death of his father, James II.

Gilles de Rais, a companion-in-arms of Joan of Arc, is condemned and executed for crimes including murder and heresy.

Leonardo da Vinci is commissioned to paint the Mona Lisa by Francesco del Giocondo.

Miguel de Cervantes’s masterpiece Don Quixote ("The Ingenious Nobleman Don Quixote of La Mancha") is published. The second portion of the book was published in 1615. More

The Treaty of Stolbovo ends the Ingrian War between Sweden and Russia.

The Treaty of Bärwalde is signed between Sweden and the Electorate of Brandenburg during the Thirty Years' War.

France establishes the Académie Française, a council for matters related to the French language and literature.

The Papal States release Galileo Galilei from house arrest after his trial for heresy.

The Convention Parliament declares that James II has abdicated the throne, leading to the crowning of William III and Mary II.

The Bank of Scotland is established by an Act of the Scottish Parliament.

Russia's Peter the Great imposes a tax on beards as part of his efforts to modernize the country.

The Acts of Union between England and Scotland are ratified, forming the Kingdom of Great Britain.

The Chinese Emperor Yongzheng bans Christian missions in China.

The city of Milan surrenders to Austrian forces during the War of the Austrian Succession.

The Treaty of Westminster between France and Great Britain marks the start of the Seven Years' War.

Spain declares war on Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War.

The first large-scale bodybuilding competition in America is held at Madison Square Garden, New York City.

The first telephone line across the Atlantic Ocean is established between New York and London.

The Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, prohibiting the sale, manufacture, or transportation of intoxicating liquors, is ratified. More

Hitler moves his headquarters to his underground bunker (Führerbunker) as the Soviet Army approaches and Berlin is under bombardment. His aides, bodyguards, servants, and his girlfriend Eva Braun joined him in the bunker. Later, propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels and his wife Magda moved into the bunker with their six children. Hitler stayed in the bunker for 105 days and married Eva Braun there on 29 April 1945, less than 40 hours before they committed suicide. More

After almost 40 years of ruling, the Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi flees Iran amidst growing unrest, paving the way for the Islamic Revolution. More

Implementation of the Iran nuclear deal (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) begins following international agreement.

Zimbabwe experiences protests and violent crackdowns over a significant fuel price hike.

The impeachment trial of President Donald Trump begins in the U.S. Senate.