Osun Defender History Corner: January 16 In Focus

Today, on the history corner, we take a trip in the realm of flashback and recall some events that marked this day.

January 16, 27 BC

Gaius Octavian receives the title Augustus, officially becoming the first Roman Emperor.

January 16, 1547

Ivan IV of Russia (Ivan the Terrible) is crowned, becoming the first Tsar of Russia.

January 16, 1786

The United States Congress establishes the Council of Commissioners for the District of Columbia, creating the capital district that would later become Washington, D.C.

January 16, 1920

Prohibition takes effect in the United States, banning the sale, production, and transportation of alcoholic beverages.

January 16, 1938

Benny Goodman and his orchestra perform a historic jazz concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

January 16, 1942

Actress Carole Lombard dies in a plane crash at the age of 33.

January 16, 1969

Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 perform the first-ever docking of manned spacecraft in orbit.

January 16, 1979

The Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, flees the country, leading to the Iranian Revolution.

January 16, 1991

The United States begins Operation Desert Storm, launching airstrikes against Iraq during the Gulf War.

January 16, 2001

President Laurent-Désiré Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is assassinated.

January 16, 2003

The Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for its final mission, STS-107, which tragically ends in disaster upon reentry.

January 16, 2006

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is sworn in as Liberia’s president, becoming the first elected female head of state in Africa.

January 16, 2013

The Japanese government officially recognizes the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands as part of its territory.

January 16, 2016

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirms that Iran has complied with the nuclear deal, leading to sanctions relief.

January 16, 2018

The false ballistic missile alert in Hawaii causes widespread panic before being declared a mistake.

January 16, 2020

China reports the first death from a new coronavirus, later identified as COVID-19.

January 16, 2021

The U.S. Capitol is breached by supporters of then-President Donald Trump, leading to chaos and violence.

January 16, 2022

Russia invades Ukraine, sparking a major international crisis.

January 16, 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially declares the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please note that these are just a few historical events that happened on January 16. History is full of numerous other significant events on this day, ranging from politics and warfare to cultural and scientific milestones.