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: The United States increases sanctions against Russia, targeting major banks, energy companies, defense industries, and individuals allegedly supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. The move escalates tensions in the ongoing Donbass conflict.
- 2002: John Cocke, a renowned American computer scientist and pioneer in computer architecture, compiler design, and reduced instruction set computing (RISC), passed away. He was a significant contributor to modern computing technologies and was known for his groundbreaking work at IBM Research. Cocke was a recipient of the Turing Award, often considered the Nobel Prize of computing.
- 2000: A significant environmental incident occurred when a pipe at a Petrobras oil refinery ruptured, releasing approximately 4 million liters of oil into the Barigui River near Curitiba over a two-hour period. This substantial oil spill posed serious ecological risks to the local river ecosystem and surrounding environment.
- 1995: The theatrical production 'Buttons on Broadway' concluded its run at the Ambassador Theater in New York City after 40 performances.
- 1994: The play "Sisters Rosensweig" concluded its successful run at the Barrymore Theater in New York City after 556 performances, marking a notable moment in Broadway theater history.
- 1988: Olympic champion Carl Lewis achieved a remarkable 100-meter sprint time of 9.78 seconds, though the result was wind-assisted and thus not officially recordable.
- 1985: The 56th All-Star Baseball Game was held at the Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the National League defeating the American League 6-1 in a decisive victory.
- 1981: India conducted its first successful nuclear test, codenamed Operation Smiling Buddha, marking a significant milestone in the country's nuclear capabilities and geopolitical standing.
- 1977: Janelle Commissiong becomes the first woman from Trinidad and Tobago to be crowned Miss Universe, marking a significant moment for Caribbean representation in the international beauty pageant.
What famous birthdays are on July 16?
On July 16th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Barbara Stanwyck]()
Barbara Stanwyck (1907)Legendary Hollywood actress nominated four times for an Oscar, known for her versatile roles in classic films from the 1930s and 1940s.
![Will Ferrell]()
Will Ferrell (1967)Renowned American comedian and actor who rose to fame through Saturday Night Live, later becoming a leading comedy film star with hits like...
![Katrina Kaif]()
Katrina Kaif (1983)Katrina Kaif is a prominent Bollywood actress and model of British-Indian descent, known for her stunning looks and successful film career...
![Michael Flatley]()
Michael Flatley (1958)Michael Flatley is a world-renowned Irish-American dancer famous for his extraordinary tap dancing skills and creating the mega-popular show...
![Ginger Rogers]()
Ginger Rogers (1911)Legendary Hollywood dancer and actress who formed an iconic partnership with Fred Astaire, revolutionizing dance in cinema during the Golden...
![Corey Feldman]()
Corey Feldman (1971)Corey Feldman is a prominent American actor and musician who rose to fame in the 1980s, starring in iconic coming-of-age films like 'The...
![Apichatpong Weerasethakul]()
Apichatpong Weerasethakul (1970)Acclaimed Thai film director known for experimental and poetic cinema, winner of the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival for 'Uncle Boonmee...
![Phoebe Cates]()
Phoebe Cates (1963)Phoebe Cates is a prominent American actress who rose to fame in the 1980s with iconic roles in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' and...
![Chris Pontius]()
Chris Pontius (1974)American actor and comedian known for his wild stunts in the MTV series 'Jackass' and related movies.
![Bess Myerson]()
Bess Myerson (1924)Bess Myerson was the first Jewish Miss America, who later became a prominent television personality, consumer advocate, and New York City...
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:
![Patrick Dewaere]()
Patrick Dewaere (1982)Prominent French actor of the 1970s who became famous for his roles in groundbreaking films like 'Going Places' alongside Gerard Depardieu.
![James Gammon]()
James Gammon (2010)Renowned American character actor known for roles in films like 'Major League' and television series such as 'Deadwood'.
![Harry Chapin]()
Harry Chapin (1981)Harry Chapin was an influential American folk singer-songwriter known for his storytelling music and humanitarian activism.
![Patsy Ruth Miller]()
Patsy Ruth Miller (1995)American actress known for her work in silent films during the 1920s, who had a long career in entertainment and lived to be 91 years old.
- 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...
- Juan Manuel Fangio (1995)
Legendary Argentine Formula One racing driver who won five World Championships, considered one of the greatest drivers in motorsport...
- Celia Cruz (2003)
Legendary Cuban salsa singer who revolutionized Latin music and became a global cultural icon, known for her vibrant performances and...
- Stephen Spender (1995)
Stephen Spender was a prominent English poet, novelist, and literary critic associated with the left-wing writers of the 1930s.
- Kevin Mitnick (2023)
Legendary computer security consultant and former hacker who became a world-renowned cybersecurity expert after his early days of...
- Jo Stafford (2008)
Jo Stafford was a renowned American popular singer of the 1940s and 1950s, known for her smooth vocal style and hits like 'You Belong to...
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, 2025 the day of the week is Wednesday.
| July | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
