July 16: What Happened on This Day in History
July 16th marks the 197th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 198th in case of leap years). There are 168 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on July 16th in history, famous birthdays on July 16th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to July 16.
What happened on July 16?
Here's what happened on July 16th in history:
- 2021: Extreme and catastrophic flooding devastated central European regions, particularly Germany and Belgium, resulting in over 100 fatalities and widespread destruction of infrastructure and communities.
- 2014: On July 16, 2014, the Gaza conflict escalated with increased airstrikes and rocket fire. The violence led to a significant rise in casualties and destruction in the region. source: aljazeera.com
- 2000: On July 16, 2000, an estimated 4 million liters of crude oil leaked from a pipeline at Petrobras's Getulio Vargas Refinery in Araucária, Paraná, Brazil. The spill polluted the Barigui River, a tributary of the Iguacu River, and was considered the country's worst oil spill in 25 years. source: digitalrepository.unm.edu
- 1995: On July 16, 1995, French President Jacques Chirac delivered a speech at the Vel d'Hiv ceremony, acknowledging France's role in the deportation of French Jews during World War II. He stated that "the criminal folly of the occupiers was supported by the French, by the French state," marking the first time a French president recognized France's responsibility for the Holocaust. source: holocaustremembrance.com
- 1994: On July 16, 1994, Sweden defeated Bulgaria in the FIFA World Cup. The match was part of the tournament's knockout stages, contributing to Sweden's advancement in the competition.
- 1985: On July 16, 1985, the Local Government Act 1985 received Royal Assent, leading to the abolition of the Greater London Council (GLC) and the six metropolitan county councils. The Act transferred their functions to local authorities and other bodies, with the GLC ceasing to exist on April 1, 1986. source: news.bbc.co.uk
- 1981: Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as Malaysia's Prime Minister on July 16, 1981. He served in this role until 2003, marking a significant period in Malaysian politics characterized by economic growth and modernization. His leadership style and policies have had a lasting impact on the country. source: britannica.com
- 1977: On July 16, 1977, Queen's iconic song 'Bohemian Rhapsody' achieved significant sales milestones, solidifying its place in music history. The song, known for its unique structure and operatic elements, became a defining track of the 1970s and continues to be celebrated today. source: rollingstone.com
- 1966: The Broadway musical 'Half a Sixpence' concluded its run at the Broadhurst Theatre in New York City on July 16, 1966, after 511 performances. source: ibdb.com
- 1965: The Mont Blanc Tunnel, connecting France and Italy beneath the Alps, was inaugurated on July 16, 1965, marking a significant engineering achievement in transportation infrastructure. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on July 16?
On July 16th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Will Ferrell]()
Will Ferrell (1967)Will Ferrell is an American actor, comedian, producer, and writer best known for his work on 'Saturday Night Live' and leading roles in hit comedy films such as 'Anchorman', 'Talladega Nights', and 'Elf.' [bio]
![Barbara Stanwyck]()
Barbara Stanwyck (1907)Barbara Stanwyck was an acclaimed American actress known for her strong, memorable roles in film and television across several decades, particularly from the 1930s through the 1950s. Renowned for her versatility and screen presence, she starred in numerous film classics and later made a successful transition to television. [bio]
![Barry Sanders]()
Barry Sanders (1968)Barry Sanders is a former professional American football running back who played his entire 10-year NFL career with the Detroit Lions. Known for his extraordinary agility and elusiveness, Sanders is considered one of the greatest running backs in football history. He won the 1988 Heisman Trophy and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. [bio]
![Michael Flatley]()
Michael Flatley (1958)Michael Flatley is an American-born Irish dancer, choreographer, and musician, best known for creating and starring in groundbreaking Irish dance shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. [bio]
![Ginger Rogers]()
Ginger Rogers (1911)Ginger Rogers was an American actress, singer, and dancer, best known for her partnership with Fred Astaire in a series of classic Hollywood musical films in the 1930s and 1940s. [bio]
![Katrina Kaif]()
Katrina Kaif (1983)Katrina Kaif is a British actress and model primarily known for her work in Hindi-language films. One of the highest-paid actresses in India, she has appeared in numerous commercially successful movies and is recognized for her dancing skills and screen presence. [bio]
![Rubén Blades]()
Rubén Blades (1948)Rubén Blades is a Panamanian singer, songwriter, actor, musician, activist, and politician, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Latin American music, particularly in the salsa genre. [bio]
![Joe Jackson]()
Joe Jackson (1887)Joe Jackson, nicknamed 'Shoeless Joe', was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. Renowned as one of the game's best hitters, his career was overshadowed by his involvement in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. [bio]
![Margaret Smith]()
Margaret Smith (1942)Margaret Court (born Margaret Smith; 16 July 1942) is a former Australian tennis player. She is regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, known particularly for her record 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other player in history. [bio]
![Margaret Court]()
Margaret Court (1942)Margaret Court is an Australian former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Known for her dominance in women's tennis during the 1960s and early 1970s, Court holds the record for the most Grand Slam singles titles in history. She became the first woman in the Open Era to win the singles … [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on July 16?
On July 16th the following celebrities died:
![Harry Chapin]()
Harry Chapin (1981)Harry Chapin was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his folk rock and pop rock songs in the 1970s. He is remembered for narrative songs such as 'Taxi,' 'W·O·L·D,' and the chart-topping hit 'Cat's in the Cradle.' Chapin was also recognized for his humanitarian work, especially his efforts to end world hunger. [bio]
![James Gammon]()
James Gammon (2010)James Gammon was an American actor best known for his roles as grizzled authority figures and tough, working-class characters. He is especially recognized for playing Lou Brown, the manager in the 'Major League' film series, and for appearances in notable films such as 'Urban Cowboy', 'Cold Mountain', and 'Wyatt Earp', as well as various television credits. [bio]
![Patsy Ruth Miller]()
Patsy Ruth Miller (1995)Patsy Ruth Miller was an American actress best known for her role as Esmeralda in the 1923 silent film adaptation of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame.' She appeared in over 70 films during the silent era and was a notable figure in early Hollywood. [bio]
![Patrick Dewaere]()
Patrick Dewaere (1982)Patrick Dewaere was a renowned French actor acclaimed for his intense performances and versatility in French cinema during the 1970s and early 1980s. Known for his deep emotional range and raw portrayals, he starred in several notable French films before his untimely death. [bio]
![Juan Manuel Fangio]()
Juan Manuel Fangio (1995)Legendary Argentine Formula One racing driver who won five World Championships, considered one of the greatest drivers in motorsport...
![John F. Kennedy Jr.]()
John F. Kennedy Jr. (1999)American lawyer, journalist, and publisher who tragically died in a plane crash on July 16, 1999, along with his wife Carolyn and...
![Celia Cruz]()
Celia Cruz (2003)Legendary Cuban salsa singer who revolutionized Latin music and became a global cultural icon, known for her vibrant performances and...
![Raoul Wallenberg]()
Raoul Wallenberg (1947)Swedish diplomat who heroically saved tens of thousands of Jews during the Holocaust by issuing protective passports and sheltering people...
![Robert Motherwell]()
Robert Motherwell (1991)Robert Motherwell was a prominent American abstract expressionist painter and writer who significantly influenced mid-20th century art.
![Kevin Mitnick]()
Kevin Mitnick (2023)Legendary computer security consultant and former hacker who became a world-renowned cybersecurity expert after his early days of...
What day of the year is July 16?
July 16th marks the 197th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 198th in case of leap years).
There are 168 days remaining until the end of the year.
July 16th is the 16th day of the month of July.
What day of the week is July 16?
On July 16th, 2026 the day of the week is Thursday.
| July | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
What zodiac sign is associated with the day July 16?
The zodiac sign associated with July 16th is Cancer according to the Western Zodiac.
