This Day In History : April 16

1972 United States

Apollo 16 Launches for Fifth Manned Lunar Landing

On April 16, 1972, NASA's Apollo 16 mission launched, aiming for the Descartes Highlands on the Moon. This mission, led by astronauts John Young, Charles Duke, and Ken Mattingly, became the fifth manned lunar landing. The crew conducted scientific experiments and exploration activities.

Also on This Day in History April 16

Discover what happened on April 16 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, April 16
  • 1921 Marie Maynard Daly

    American biochemist who was the first African-American woman to receive a Ph.D. in Chemistry (1947).

  • 1894 Jerzy Neyman

    Russian-American mathematician who was one of the principal architects of modern theoretical statistics.

  • 1890 Donald Forsha Jones

    American geneticist and agronomist whose hybridization methods for corn (maize) enabled an agricultural revolution.

  • 1728 Joseph Black

    Scottish chemist and physicist who experimented with "fixed air" (carbon dioxide), discovered bicarbonates and identified latent heat.

  • 1682 John Hadley

    British mathematician and inventor who perfected methods for grinding and polishing telescope lenses.

Deaths on This Day, April 16
  • 1914 George William Hill

    U.S. mathematical astronomer considered by many of his peers to be the greatest master of celestial mechanics of his time.

  • 1864 Thomas Blanchard

    American inventor who made major contributions to the development of machine tools.

  • 1949 Joseph Augustine Cushman

    U.S. paleontologist and geologist known for his work on paleoecology as shown by Foraminifera (marine protozoans).

  • 1974 Raymond Cecil Moore

    American paleontologist known for his work on Paleozoic crinoids, bryozoans, and corals (invertebrate organisms existing 570 to 245 million years ago).

  • 1906 William James Farrer

    He developed several varieties of drought- and rust-resistant wheat that made possible a great expansion of Australia's wheat belt.

1862

District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act Becomes Law

On April 16, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act into law. This legislation ended slavery in Washington, D.C., compensating former slave owners. The act marked a critical step towards the abolition of slavery in the United States.
1818

US Senate Ratifies the Rush-Bagot Treaty

On April 16, 1818, the US Senate ratified the Rush-Bagot Treaty, establishing the US-Canada border. This agreement demilitarized the Great Lakes and laid the foundation for peaceful relations between the US and Canada. It marked a significant step in defining the boundary between the two nations.
1912

Harriet Quimby Becomes First Woman to Fly Across the English Channel

On April 16, 1912, Harriet Quimby achieved a historic aviation milestone by becoming the first woman to fly an airplane across the English Channel. Her flight from Dover, England, to Calais, France, lasted approximately 59 minutes. Quimby's achievement significantly advanced women's roles in aviation.
1908

Utah Establishes Natural Bridges National Monument

On April 16, 1908, Utah established the Natural Bridges National Monument, protecting its stunning natural stone arches. This designation preserved the area for its geological significance and unique natural beauty. The monument continues to attract visitors and researchers interested in its natural formations.
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