This Day in History – March 16

“Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history,” – Abraham Lincoln. Have you ever wondered what might have happened on this day several years back? Well, then you have come to the right place. In this blog, we have curated a list of important events taken place on March 16 that shaped the course of our history.   

What Events Happened in India on March 16?

1527 – Battle of Khanwa
Babur defeated the Rajput army led by Rana Sanga in the battle of Khanwa thereby consolidating Mughal power.

2012 – Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th century
Fondly known as a master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th century in international cricket on March 16, 2012.

2018 – Irrfan Khan diagnosed with cancer
Indian actor Irrfan Khan revealed that he has been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

Historical Events That Happened Around the World on March 16

1079 – Iran adopts solar Hijrah calendar
The solar Hijrah calendar was adopted by Iran under the Pahlavi dynasty on March 16, 1079.

1792 – Assassination of King Gustav III
King Gustav III of Sweden was shot by Count Jacob Johan Anckarström at a masked ball at the Opera.

1822 – 1st Geneva Convention
The U.S. Senate ratified the Geneva Convention of 1864, legitimizing the International Red Cross and the American Red Cross.

1912 – Russian’s Grand Duke declined the throne
Brother of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, Grand duke Micheal declined the Russian throne.

1924 – Annexation of Fiume
Under the fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the free port of Fiume was annexed.

1926 – Launching of the 1st liquid fuel rocket
On March 16, 1926, Rocket pioneer Robert Goddard launched the first-ever liquid-fuelled rocket that goes up to 56 meters.

1933 – President of Bank of Germany
Adolf Hitler named Hjalmar Schacht as President of the Bank of Germany.

1941 – Dmitri Shostakovich, the Recipient of the Stalin Prize
Russian pianist Dmitri Shostakovich received the Stalin Prize on March 16, 1941.

1955 – Dwight D Eisenhower
34th US President Eisenhower upheld the use of atomic weapons in case of war.

1976 – Resignation of Harold Wilson
British Prime Minister announced his resignation due to bad health and the onset of Alzheimer’s.

2016 – Nomination of Merrick Garland as Supreme Court Justice
US President Barack Obama nominates Merrick Garland as Supreme Court Justice on March 16, 2016.

List of Important Birthdays

• 1751- James Madison
  4th US president James Madison was born on this day.
• 1799 – Anna Atkins
  English botanist, photographer Anna Atkins was the 1st person to publish a book illustrated with photographic images.
• 1880- Rajsekhar Basu
  Padma Bhushan awardee and one of the greatest humorists of Bengali literature Rajsekhar Basu was born on this day.
• 1910 – Iftikar Ali Khan Pataudi
  The eighth Nawab of the state of Pataudi and Indian cricketer was born on this day.
• 1926 – Jerry Lewis
  Born in Newark in New Jersey American comedian was born on this day.

This was all about the significant events that mark 16th March. We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. Stay tuned to Leverage Edu for more such informative reads and click here to check out our latest series on ‘Her Purpose‘ for International Women’s Month 2021!