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
March 16 Monday, March 16, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 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
3
Holidays
1802
US history 224 years ago
The Army Corps of Engineers is established to found and operate the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Congress establishes the United States Military Academy at West Point, placing it under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers.
History
What happened on March 16
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -597World history
The first siege of Jerusalem by the Neo-Babylonian Empire ends with the city surrendering to king Nebuchadnezzar II.
Jerusalem surrenders to King Nebuchadnezzar II, ending the first siege by the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
- 445World history
Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III is assassinated while practising on the Campus Martius on behalf of Petronius Maximus.
Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, is assassinated by followers of Petronius Maximus while practicing on the Campus Martius.
- 1190UK history
Massacre of Jews at Clifford's Tower, York.
Jews sought refuge in Clifford's Tower but were forced to surrender, leading to a massacre.
- 1244European history
Over 200 Cathars who refuse to recant are burnt to death after the Fall of Montségur.
Over 200 Cathars are burned alive at Montségur for refusing to renounce their faith.
- 1355World history
Amidst the Red Turban Rebellions, Han Lin'er, a claimed descendant of Emperor Huizong of Song, is proclaimed emperor of the restored Song dynasty in Bozhou.
Han Lin'er, claiming descent from Emperor Huizong of Song, is proclaimed emperor of a restored Song dynasty in Bozhou during the Red Turban Rebellions.
- 1660UK history
The Long Parliament of England is dissolved so as to prepare for the new Convention Parliament.
The Long Parliament of England is dissolved to make way for the Convention Parliament.
- 1696War
The Dutch bombard Givet during the Nine Years' War.
Dutch forces bombard the French town of Givet during the Nine Years' War.
- 1792Royalty
King Gustav III of Sweden is shot; he dies on March 29.
King Gustav III of Sweden is shot during a masquerade ball and later dies.
- 1802US history
The Army Corps of Engineers is established to found and operate the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Congress establishes the United States Military Academy at West Point, placing it under the supervision of the Army Corps of Engineers.
- 1872Sports
The Wanderers F.C. win the first FA Cup, the oldest football competition in the world, beating Royal Engineers A.F.C. 1-0 at The Oval in Kennington, London.
The Wanderers F.C. win the inaugural FA Cup, defeating Royal Engineers A.F.C. 1-0 at The Oval in London.
- 1918War
Finnish Civil War: Battle of Länkipohja is infamous for its bloody aftermath as the Whites execute 70-100 capitulated Reds.
The Battle of Länkipohja ends with the execution of 70 to 100 Red captives by White forces.
- 2014World history
Crimea votes in a controversial referendum to secede from Ukraine to join Russia.
Crimea holds a referendum resulting in a vote to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 16
7 this date All birthdays
José Paranhos
Brazilian politician
José Maria da Silva Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco, the Brazilian politician, diplomat, and journalist who served as president of the Council of Ministers, was born in Salvador in 1819.
Born
1819
Died
1880
Patsy Donovan
Irish-American baseball player and manager
1865 – 1953
Philip Pavia
American painter and sculptor
1911 – 2005
Sid Fleischman
American author and screenwriter
1920 – 2010
Leo McKern
Australian-English actor
1920 – 2002
Alan Heyman
American-South Korean musicologist and composer
1931 – 2014
Duane Sutter
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
b. 1960 · 66
Music
The number one songs on March 16
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 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 March 16, 2012
Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first batter in history to score 100 centuries in international cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first batter to score 100 centuries in international cricket.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 16, 1926
History of rocketry: Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket, at Auburn, Massachusetts.
Robert Goddard launches the world's first liquid-fueled rocket from Auburn, Massachusetts.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of the Book Smugglers (Lithuania)
International
Lithuanian book smugglers or Lithuanian book carriers smuggled Lithuanian language books printed in the Latin alphabet into Lithuanian-speaking areas of the Russian Empire, defying a ban on such mater
Remembrance day of the Latvian legionnaires (Latvia)
International
Remembrance Day of the Latvian Legionnaires, often known simply as the Legionnaire Day or 16 March in Latvia, is a day when soldiers of the Latvian Legion, part of the Waffen-SS, are commemorated
Saint Urho's Day (Finnish Americans and Finnish Canadians)
International
Saint Urho is a fictional saint of Finland, created and elaborated by Finnish Americans in Northern Minnesota in the 1950s, to celebrate their heritage and extend celebrations of Saint Patrick's Day