Nov
December 2025
Jan
On This Day 5 mins Read

December 16: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

Did you know that on this day, December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party protest occurred?

Fact Checked Human Written Verified Sources Regularly Updated

December 16th is known as Day Of Reconciliation and Chocolate Covered Anything Day.

Today marks the 350th day of the year. We now have only 9 days left until Christmas Day.

Does December 16 have a special meaning for you? If so, you simply cannot miss out on the most interesting events that ever happened on this unique day in history.

Did you know that on this day, December 16, 1773, the Boston Tea Party protest occurred? This was the culmination of public protest against taxes imposed by the British Empire.

Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about December 16th in history!

Historical Events

What memorable events happened on December 16 in history? Keep reading to find out!

The EU signed a contract to build an $11 billion satellite network to rival Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Mariah Carey’s single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” reached number one, 25 years after its release.

OTD in 2019: Mariah Carey's single "All I Want for Christmas Is You" reached number one

The US State Department increased the reward for information on the Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to $25 million.

A five-day pollution red alert was declared in Beijing and 21 other Chinese cities.

Officials classified it as a "meteorological disaster."

The mayor of Flint, Michigan, declared a state of emergency over contaminated water.

The city, which the mayor declared was "experiencing a man-made disaster," changed water supply from Lake Huron to the Flint River. The thing is, the Flint River had been avoided as a water source since the 1960s, as it was full of industrial pollutants.

The name “Euro” was officially adopted for European Currency.

OTD in 1995: The name "Euro" was officially adopted for European Currency.

O.J. Simpson became the first NFL running back to rush for 2,000 yards in a season.

“Jingle Bells” became the first song played in space when it was broadcast during NASA’s Gemini 6 space flight.

James Lord Pierpont wrote the song in 1857, and it was originally titled "One-Horse Open Sleigh."

The Pioneer 6 space probe was launched atop a Delta-E rocket.

Pioneer 6 was the first in a series of four probes (also known as A, B, C, and D) which made up the second part of the Pioneer space program. Pioneer probes 6 through 9 were designed to take measurements of interplanetary phenomena from distant points in space. The probes were only supposed to last approximately six months, but contact with Pioneer 6 was made as late as December 8, 2000.

“Lawrence of Arabia” film directed by David Lean, was released in the United States.

OTD in 1962: "Lawrence of Arabia" film directed by David Lean

German armies took Allied forces by surprise in the Ardennes, marking the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge.

The Anglo-Irish Treaty, agreed to by the British Parliament and Sinn Féin, was ratified.

The Great White Fleet began its worldwide navigation.

In order to demonstrate the US's new presence as a world power, President Theodore Roosevelt made a round-the-world cruise in a group of US Navy battleships, making friendly courtesy visits to many international ports.

Virginia became the first state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.

The Boston Tea Party protest occurred.

OTD in 1773: The Boston Tea Party protest occurred.

As a political protest against the Tea Act and opposition of the taxes, American Patriots destroyed an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company. Damage amounted to 92,000 pounds of tea - equivalent to $1,700,000 as of 2020.

Vasco da Gama became the first European to sail along Africa’s East Coast.

After nearly six months of sailing, this Portuguese navigator passed Eastern Cape, South Africa. Due to it almost being Christmas, da Gama named it "Natal," which means "birth of Christ" in Portuguese.

Famous Births

Is today your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Krysten Ritter. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1999

Grayson Dolan

American YouTuber

Age

25 years old

Born IN

New Jersey, USA

1999

Ethan Dolan

American YouTuber

Age

25 years old

Born IN

New Jersey, USA

1997

Zara Larsson

Swedish Singer

Age

27 years old

Born IN

Stockholm, Sweden

1984

Theo James

English Actor

Age

40 years old

Born IN

England, UK

1775

Jane Austen

English Novelist

Died On

Jul 18, 1817 (Age 41)

Born IN

England, UK

1981

Krysten Ritter

American Actress

Age

43 years old

Born IN

Pennsylvania, USA

Birthday & Zodiac

Everyone who was born on this day shares the star sign of Sagittarius.

Sagittarians always possess a multitude of plans under their belt. These plan Bs and Cs serve to protect Sagittarians when things don’t go their way.

Anybody born during December has the Blue Topaz birthstone. This icy-looking gemstone offers prosperity and fortune to the wearer while also protecting them from harm.

If you were born on December 16th, you would likely have been conceived on or around March 25th of the same year.

Babies conceived on December 16, 2025, will be due next year around September 8.

Quotes

Memorable quotes are being said or written every day. Here we have the most notable quote ever said on December 16.

1951

“Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.”

Bertrand Russell

(British Mathematician)

Special Holidays

Are you looking for something to do today? Well, here's a few special days that might just give you some ideas.

South Africa

Day Of Reconciliation

One of the more solemn days of the year, the Day of Reconciliation celebrates the ending of nearly fifty years of racial segregation in South Africa. It’s a day to reflect on the darker days of our past and educate ourselves, but also to encourage peace and harmony between all races.

United States

National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

You could cover almost anything in chocolate and it would be amazing, or at least palatable, so it’s about time there’s a holiday dedicated to that! Sure, eat some chocolate-covered strawberries today, but don’t forget to experiment! Chocolate-covered sandwiches, anyone?

Fact Of The Day

Days Until

Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!

  • Christmas Eve

    8 days

  • Christmas Day

    9 days

  • Bacon Day

    14 days

  • New Year's Day

    16 days

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About The Author

Luke Ward
Owner

Luke Ward is the owner of FactstoryHub. He has over 14 years of experience in researching, informative writing, fact-checking, SEO & web design. In his spare time, he loves to explore the world, drink coffee & attend trivia nights.

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