October 16th is Department Store Day and Dictionary Day.
Today marks day 289 of the year, and we have 76 days remaining in 2025.
If you’re thirsty for knowledge on the past happenings of October 16, then you’re in the right place! Let us quench your thirst with these historical events that all happened on this day.
Did you know that on this day, October 16, 1923, the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio was founded by Walt and his brother Roy O. Disney? It would change its name 63 years later to The Walt Disney Company.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about October 16th in history!
Historical Events
What memorable events happened on October 16 in history? Keep reading to find out!
Prada teamed up with Axiom Space to create the spacesuits for NASA’s Artemis III mission to the Moon.
Prada and aerospace company Axiom Space unveiled the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, designed for NASA's Artemis III mission. The suit was showcased at the International Astronautical Congress in Milan.
A camera in London Zoo became the first camera to take selfies powered by plants.
Pete the Fern provided the energy utilizing microbial energy production.
Capcom released Devil May Cry, a game based loosely on Dante’s Divine Comedy.
When we say loosely, we mean extremely loosely, as other than having demons and a main character called Dante, there's little else to do with Dante's epic poem. In fact, Devil May Cry started as a Resident Evil game, an idea that was dropped as the game's theme was too "cool" and not gritty enough for the horror series.
A stampede of 47,000 football fans killed 84 people and injured 180 more in Guatemala City.
The disaster happened when the fans went to watch the World Cup and overfilled the stadium passed capacity. People were crushed and suffocated, and physical fights broke out as fans struggled for space leading to panic and stampede.
The Cuban Missile Crisis began.
President Kennedy was informed of photos taken of missiles placed by the Soviet Union in Cuba which were capable of reaching the United States. The following thirteen days were incredibly tense, with the two nations coming closer than ever to full-scale nuclear war.
The Battle of Leipzig began.
It was the largest European battle before World War I. Also known as The Battle of Nations, it took place in Leipzig, Germany. It was fought between Austria, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia, who won against the French Empire and Polish, Italian and German troops.
Famous Births
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as John Mayer? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1977
John Mayer
American Singer
Age
48 years old
Born IN
Connecticut, USA
1981
Caterina Scorsone
Canadian Actress
Age
44 years old
Born IN
Ontario, Canada
1962
Flea
Australian-American Musician
Age
63 years old
Born IN
Victoria, Australia
1854
Oscar Wilde
Irish Poet
Died On
Nov 30, 1900 (Age 46)
Born IN
Dublin, Ireland
Birthday & Zodiac
Everyone who was born on October 16th shares the same star sign, Libra.
Libra is represented by the scales. The scales are the only inanimate object out of all the zodiacs, and just like scales, Libras are obsessed with symmetry and have a passion for perfect balance.
For those of you born in October, you have the Pink Tourmaline birthstone. Opal was originally the recognized birthstone for October, but in 1952 the pink tourmaline became an alternate stone to opal.
People born on this day were likely conceived on or around January 23 in the same year.
A baby conceived on this day will likely be born around July 9, 2026.
Famous Deaths
Unfortunately, October 16th has also been a day where we've had to say some goodbyes over the years…
Quotes
Below are the most famous quotes people have said or written on this day throughout history.
2016
“My 10th grade teacher told me “RuPaul, don’t take life too seriously.” It was the greatest lesson I ever learned in school.”
RuPaul
(American Drag Queen)
1939
“Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?”
Eleanor Roosevelt
(American First Lady)
Special Holidays
Are you looking for something to do today? Then why not find time today to celebrate the following special holidays.
United States
National Department Store Day
It’s hard to believe that department stores have only been around since the 19th century! They’re pretty incredible places, really - where else can you buy a pair of leggings and some Lego in the same place? So celebrate Department Store Day by visiting your favorite one!
United States
National Dictionary Day
Today we celebrate not just National Dictionary Day but also the birthday of Noah Webster, the man responsible for creating the American English Dictionary. So what better way to honor him than by reading his dictionary, Webster’s Dictionary, and learning some new words?
Fact Of The Day
Days Until
Your countdown to 2025's upcoming special days!
-
Halloween
15 days
-
Veterans Day
26 days
-
Thanksgiving
42 days
-
Christmas Day
70 days
-
New Year's Day
77 days
