On This Day August 16th

 OTD

August 16 is the 226th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 137 days remain until the end of the year.

Events

1328 – The House of Gonzaga seizes power in the Duchy of Mantua and will rule until 1708.

1777 – American Revolutionary War: The Americans led by General John Stark rout British and Brunswick troops under Friedrich Baum at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York.

1792 – Maximilien de Robespierre presented the petition of the Commune of Paris to the Legislative Assembly, which demanded the formation of a revolutionary tribunal.

1841 – U.S. President John Tyler vetoed a bill for re-establishing the Second Bank of the United States. Enraged Whig Party members rioted outside the White House in the most violent demonstration on White House grounds in U.S. history.

1876 – Richard Wagner's Siegfried, the penultimate opera in his Ring cycle, premieres at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus.

1916 – The Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States is signed.

1930 – The first color sound cartoon, Fiddlesticks, is released by Ub Iwerks.

1954 – The first issue of Sports Illustrated is published.

1960 – Joseph Kittinger parachutes from a balloon over New Mexico, United States, at 102,800 feet (31,300 m), setting three records until 2012: High-altitude jump, free fall, and highest speed by a human without an aircraft.

1989 – A solar particle event affects computers at the Toronto Stock Exchange, forcing a halt to trade.

 

Birthdays

1557 – Agostino Carracci, Italian painter, and etcher (d. 1602)

1744 – Pierre Méchain, French astronomer and surveyor (d. 1804)

1845 – Gabriel Lippmann, Luxembourger French physicist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate (d. 1921)

1888 – T. E. Lawrence, British colonel, diplomat, writer, and archaeologist (d. 1935)

1909 – Paul Callaway, American organist, and conductor (d. 1995)

1924 – Fess Parker, American actor (d. 2010)

1930 – Frank Gifford, American football player, sportscaster, and actor (d. 2015)

1954 – James Cameron, Canadian director, producer, and screenwriter.

1958 – Madonna, American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and director.

1986 – Yu Darvish, Japanese baseball player

 

 

 

 

Holidays & Observance

The Battle of Bennington Day

The Battle of Bennington, fought on August 16, 1777, near Bennington in Vermont during the American Revolutionary War, is a remarkable testament to the determination of colonial forces. It unfolded as part of a campaign led by British General John Burgoyne to control the Hudson River Valley and isolate New England. Facing logistical challenges and spirited resistance, Burgoyne dispatched Lieutenant Colonel Friedrich Baum to capture American supplies in Bennington.

 

General John Stark led American forces to engage Baum's detachment in a fierce battle, ultimately securing victory. This win boosted Patriot morale and demonstrated that the British were not invincible. The captured supplies dealt a blow to Burgoyne's advance, contributing to his eventual defeat at the Battle of Saratoga. Saratoga marked a turning point, leading to French support and altering the war's course.

 

The Battle of Bennington also showcased the effectiveness of local militias in challenging professional British forces. It celebrated the unity and determination of ordinary citizens in the struggle for independence. This battle's impact resonated through history, symbolizing the indomitable spirit that shaped America's destiny. In the tranquil landscapes of Vermont, the Battle of Bennington remains a timeless testament to the resilience and valor of those who turned a colonial uprising into a triumphant quest for liberty, leaving an enduring mark on American heritage.

 

 

Others Include

Ekka People's Day

Parsi New Year

Restoration Day (Dominican Republic)

St. Roch’s Day

National Tell a Joke Day

National Roller Coaster Day

National Airborne Day