What Happened Today in History on January 16

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.

Ivan IV. known as Ivan the Terrible is crowned "Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia" on January 16, 1547, at the age of 16, marking the beginning of a new era for Russia, with a more centralized and powerful ruler at its head.

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. His boook is considered the first modern novel and a foundational work of Western literature. More

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

The English Convention Parliament declares that James II has abdicated the throne, opening the way for William of Orange to become King of England which happened six days later on January 22, 1689.

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 Act of Union, uniting the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland into a single political state, is ratified is by the Scottish Parliament on January 16, 1707. The act received Royal assent on March 6, 1707 and became effective on May 1, 1707 when Scotland and England formally became the single 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. Three weeks later on February 5 the U.S. Senate acquited President Donald Trump of impeachment charges on both articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress made by the House of Representatives in December 2019.