September 16 is the 259th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 106 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about September 16th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about September 16th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Stepfamily Day
- National Play Doh Day
- International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- National Collect Rocks Day
- National Guacamole Day
- National Working Parents Day
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – September 16
1982: Members of a right-wing Lebanese militia massacre 1500-3000 people in two Beirut-area refugee camps
The killings took over three days in the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila and were led by the Lebanese Christian Phalangist militia.
1978: An earthquake measuring 7.7 on the Richter Scale rocks the city of Tabas in Iran
More than 11,000 people were killed during the natural disaster.
1963: Malaysia is created
The Federation of Malaya united with Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore to create Malaysia. Singapore left the arrangement two years later.
1920: A bomb explodes on Wall Street, New York killing 38 people
The Wall Street Bombing, as the incident is known, was the deadliest such act on American soil to that date. It is still not known who was responsible for the bombing.
1908: General Motors Corporation is founded in Flint, Michigan by William C. Durant and Charles Stewart Mott
The company, also known as GM, was one of the world’s largest manufacturers of cars and trucks. Most notably, the company manufactured Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Hummer brand cars.
1776: Great Battles of History on this day in 1776 – American Revolutionary War: The Battle of Harlem Heights was fought resulting in a minor victory of George Washington and the Continental Army.

Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, September 16
1963: Richard Marx, American singer-songwriter, producer
1956: David Copperfield, American magician
1952: Mickey Rourke, American boxer, actor, screenwriter
1925: B.B. King, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer
1858: Bonar Law, Canadian/Scottish politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, September 16
1980: Jean Piaget, Swiss psychologist
1977: Maria Callas, Greek soprano
1898: Ramón Emeterio BetancesPuerto Rican doctor, politician
1824: Louis XVIII of France
1701: James II of England