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
December 16 Wednesday, December 16, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
7
Holidays
1689
UK history 337 years ago
Convention Parliament: The Declaration of Right is embodied in the Bill of Rights.
The Convention Parliament transforms the Declaration of Right into the Bill of Rights, establishing constitutional limits on royal power and affirming parliamentary sovereignty.
History
What happened on December 16
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 533World history
The Digest, the great collection of all Roman jurists' law, is issued together with a new official law textbook for legal schools, The Institutes.
The Digest and The Institutes are published, compiling Roman law and providing an official legal education text.
- 714European history
Pepin of Herstal, mayor of the Merovingian palace, dies at Jupille (modern Belgium). He is succeeded by his infant grandson Theudoald, while his widow Plectrude holds actual power in the Frankish Kingdom.
Pepin of Herstal dies, succeeded by his infant grandson Theudoald, while his widow Plectrude assumes control of the Frankish Kingdom.
- 755War
An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Yanjing, initiating the An Lushan Rebellion during the Tang dynasty of China.
An Lushan rebels against Chancellor Yang Guozhong in Yanjing, sparking the An Lushan Rebellion during the Tang dynasty.
- 1431European history
Hundred Years' War: Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre Dame in Paris.
Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre-Dame Cathedral, symbolizing the union of both thrones.
- 1497World history
Vasco da Gama passes the Great Fish River at the southern tip of Africa, where Bartolomeu Dias had previously turned back to Portugal.
Vasco da Gama continues his voyage past the Great Fish River, surpassing Bartolomeu Dias's turnaround point.
- 1575Disaster
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.5Mw strikes Valdivia, Chile.
An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 8.5 devastates Valdivia, Chile, causing widespread destruction along the southern coast.
- 1598War
Seven-Year War: Battle of Noryang: The final battle of the Seven-Year War is fought between the China and the Korean allied forces and Japanese navies, resulting in a decisive allied forces victory.
The final battle of the Seven-Year War ends in a decisive victory for Chinese and Korean allied forces over the Japanese navy.
- 1653UK history
English Interregnum: The Protectorate: Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Oliver Cromwell assumes power as Lord Protector, governing the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland with near-monarchical authority.
- 1689UK history
Convention Parliament: The Declaration of Right is embodied in the Bill of Rights.
The Convention Parliament transforms the Declaration of Right into the Bill of Rights, establishing constitutional limits on royal power and affirming parliamentary sovereignty.
- 1707World history
The most recent eruption of Mount Fuji.
Mount Fuji erupts, marking its last known volcanic activity.
- 1773US history
American Revolution: Boston Tea Party: Members of the Sons of Liberty disguised as Mohawk Indians dump hundreds of crates of tea into Boston harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.
Members of the Sons of Liberty, dressed as Mohawks, dump tea into Boston Harbor to protest the Tea Act.
- 1838War
Great Trek: Battle of Blood River: Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers defeat Zulu impis, led by Dambuza (Nzobo) and Ndlela kaSompisi in what is today KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
Voortrekkers led by Andries Pretorius and Sarel Cilliers defeat Zulu forces, marking a significant victory in the Great Trek.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 16
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 71
Xander Berkeley
American actor and producer
Xander Berkeley, American actor with over 200 film and television credits including Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Apollo 13, and Air Force One, turns 71 today.
Born
1955
Turns 71
today
John Ordronaux
French-American soldier
1778 – 1841
Kim Chwa-chin
South Korean guerrilla leader
1889 – 1930
H. D. Kumaraswamy
Indian social worker and politician, 18th Chief Minister of Karnataka
b. 1959 · 67
William Perry
American football player and wrestler
b. 1962 · 64
Scott Storch
American songwriter and producer, founded Storch Music Company
b. 1973 · 53
Krysten Ritter
American actress, musician, and model
b. 1981 · 45
Music
The number one songs on December 16
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 16, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 16, 1905
In rugby union, the "Match of the Century" is played between Wales and New Zealand at Cardiff Arms Park.
Wales faces New Zealand in the "Match of the Century," a historic rugby union game at Cardiff Arms Park.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 16, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Day of Reconciliation, formerly celebrated as Day of the Vow by the Afrikaners (South Africa)
International
The Day of Reconciliation is a public holiday in South Africa held annually on 16 December
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Kazakhstan from the Soviet Union in 1991.
International
Independence Day of Kazakhstan is celebrated annually on 16 December
National Day, celebrates the withdrawal of United Kingdom from Bahrain, making Bahrain an independent emirate in 1971.
International
A national day is a day on which celebrations mark the statehood or nationhood of a state or its people
National Sports Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
The beginning of the nine-day celebration beginning December 16 and ending December 24, celebrating the trials which Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born (Hispanidad): The first day of Las Posadas (Mexico, Latin America)
International
Las Posadas is a novenario
The beginning of the nine-day celebration beginning December 16 and ending December 24, celebrating the trials which Mary and Joseph endured before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born (Hispanidad): The first day of the Simbang Gabi novena of masses (Philippines)
International
Simbang Gabi is a devotional, nine-day series of Masses attended by Filipino Catholics in anticipation of Christmas