The Highlights of 1916: A Year That Shaped the Future
1916 (MCMXVI in Roman Numerals) was the year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1916th year of the Common Era (CE) and Anno Domini (AD) designations.
Is 1916 a year special to you? Discover what 1916 was famous for, Key World Leaders of 1916, 1916 Time’s Person of the Year, the #1 song, movie and book in 1916, how old is someone born in 1916 and what Chinese zodiac sign is associated to 1916.
On this page we will address all your questions and curiosities about 1916 to help you enjoy your trip down memory lane.
Table of contents
- What was 1916 known for ?
- Key World Leaders of 1916
- Who was the U.S. President in 1916?
- Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1916?
- Who was the Pope in 1916?
- What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1916?
- What was the most popular movie in 1916?
- What was the best selling book in 1916?
- How old is someone born in 1916?
- What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1916?
What was 1916 known for ?
- 1916 marked another year in the First World War, a conflict that would not end until November of 1918.
- At this near mid-way point in the war, the infamous Gallipoli Campaign came to an end. On the Gallipoli peninsula the Ottoman Empire scored a significant victory over the Allies, as Allied forces withdrew from the battlefield to Egypt. The campaign holds special cultural significance for the Turks, Australians, and New Zealanders, as the struggle helped bring about a sense of national identity for those peoples. To this day, Australia and New Zealand commemorate their soldiers who fought in all wars on Anzac Day, named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps that fought during the Gallipoli Campaign.
- As one major campaign drew to a close, another began. On the western front of the war, the Battle of the Somme began. The French and British forces, in an attempt to bring the war to a close, launched an offensive campaign against the German Empire.
- This would ultimately become the largest battle in the war’s history on the western front, and it would also become one of the bloodiest fights in recorded history, as over one million men were killed or wounded. Much debate has surrounded the outcome of the battle, as Allied forces did push the German lines back, but only by a few miles.
- All the violence brought on by the war did have at least one silver lining this year, as the first successful blood transfusion using stored and cooled blood was performed by the British Army. Two major companies also got their start in the middle of the war as well: Boeing was incorporated this year and BMW was founded, too.
- 1916 was also the year of the infamous Jersey Shore shark attacks, in which five swimmers were attacked by at least one shark on the coastline of New Jersey. These attacks would serve as the inspiration for Peter Benchley to write Jaws several decades later. In another bizarre development in popular culture, this was the year that a circus elephant was hanged in Erwin, Tennessee for killing her handler, Walter Eldridge. In sports news, golfer Jim Barnes won the first PGA Championship.
Key World Leaders of 1916
Who was the U.S. President in 1916?
In 1916, Woodrow Wilson (Democrat) was the President of the United States. His term spanned from March 04, 1913 to March 04, 1921. His presidency led the U.S. through World War I and proposed the League of Nations for global peace.
Who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in 1916?
In 1916, H. H. Asquith (Liberal) was the UK Prime Minister until December 05, 1916; on December 06, 1916 David Lloyd George (Liberal) was appointed as the new UK Prime Minister.
Who was the Pope in 1916?
The leader of the Catholic Church in 1916 was Pope Benedict XV who had held the papacy since 1914. During his papacy, he worked tirelessly for peace during World War I and promoted humanitarian efforts for war victims.
What was the number 1 song in the USA in 1916?
The number 1 song in the USA in 1916, i.e. the best selling and most popular song of tha year, was Somewhere a Voice is Calling by John McCormack
What was the most popular movie in 1916?
The most popular movie and box office hit was Joan the Woman by Cecil B. DeMille
What was the best selling book in 1916?
How old is someone born in 1916?
Someone born in 1916 is 110 years old this year.
Try out our age, time and generation calculators:
What was the Chinese Zodiac sign associated with the year 1916?
According to the Chinese Zodiac and Astrology 1916 was the Year of the Dragon.
Discover Zodiac Sign Characteristics and Personality Traits of people born under the Dragon sign.