What Happened On
The China Syndrome - Life Imitates Art
March 16, 1979
The movie The China Syndrome about about a nuclear plant disaster is released. It told the fictional story of TV reporters who uncovered major safety violations and filmed a nuclear accident at a power plant. The nuclear power industry derided the film, claiming it was absurd and nothing like that could ever happen. However, twelve days later, life imitated art when the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor had a melt down, resulting in the release of radioactive gases and radioactive iodine into the environment. The Three Mile Island accident was due largely to operator error, inadequate training, and design flaws, much like the move story line.
Vietnamese Women and Children Dead on a Road
Vietnamese Women and Children Dead on a Road
Vietnam War - My Lai Massacre
March 16, 1968
U.S. troops kill between 300 and 500 unarmed civilians in My Lai, South Vietnam. Twenty-six soldiers were charged with criminal offenses, but only platoon leader Lieutenant William Calley Jr. was convicted. He was found guilty of killing 22 villagers and given a life sentence, but served only three and a half years under house arrest.
Stubby with his coat of medals
Stubby with his coat of medals
In Memory of Sergeant Stubby - The Most Decorated War Dog of World War I
March 16, 1926
Sergeant Stubby was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant. Smuggled aboard the USS Minnesota, he served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months, participated in 4 offensives, and 17 battles. Stubby learned to warn his unit of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers, and could hear incoming shells long before the rest of the unit. He even caught a German solider by grabbing him by the seat of his pants and holding him there until American soldiers found him.
After the war, Stubby became a celebrity and marched and led in many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding.
Stubby was also featured in the 2018 animated film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
Stubby died in his sleep on March 16, 1926.
Goddard next to the first liquid-fueled rocket
Goddard next to the first liquid-fueled rocket
First Liquid-Fueled Rocket
March 16, 1926
The first liquid fuel rocket is launched, by Dr. Robert Goddard in Massachusetts, demonstrating the practicality of rockets. It covered a distance of 184 feet and attained a height of 41 feet during its 2.5-second flight.
The Scarlet Letter
March 16, 1850
The Scarlet Letter is first published. The story is set in Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1642 to 1649 and tells the story of a woman who is forced to wear a scarlet-colored "A" for committing adultery. It was one of the first mass-produced books in the United States.
West Point Coat of Arms and cadet uniforms (1805)
West Point Coat of Arms and cadet uniforms (1805)
West Point
March 16, 1802
The United States Military Academy, known as West Point, is established by the U.S. Congress. It opened July 4th. It is the oldest of the five American service academies.
It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high ground overlooking the Hudson River with a scenic view, 50 miles (80 km) north of New York City. It was constructed on the site of Fort Clinton on West Point which Colonial General Benedict Arnold conspired to turn over to the British during the American Revolutionary War.
Iraq War - War Will Only Last Weeks
March 16, 2003
U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney when asked how long the war would last states, "Weeks rather than months." Later that day he commented, "my belief is we will, in fact, be greeted as liberators."
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
Photo Credit: André Karwath aka Aka
Mississippi Abolishes Slavery in 1995 (almost)
March 16, 1995
Mississippi ratifies the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, 130 years late. However, they didn't officially notify the U.S. Archivist, therefore, the ratification was not official. This was corrected in 2013.
The 13th Amendment received the necessary ¾ of U.S. state ratifications needed to pass in 1865, with the remaining states going on to ratify the amendment, except for Mississippi, which didn't do so until 1995.
Kerrigan-Harding
March 16, 1994
Tonya Harding pleads guilty. She admitted to meeting with her bodyguard and her ex-husband, four days after the attack on fellow Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, to make plans to cover up their involvement.
Nixon Performs at the Grand Ole Opry
March 16, 1974
U.S. President Richard Nixon plays piano for the opening of the Grand Ole Opry's new theater, playing God Bless America.
New English Bible
March 16, 1970
The complete version is published. It had been translated directly into English from the original text.
Agena target docking vehicle as seen from the Gemini 8
Agena target docking vehicle as seen from the Gemini 8
First Successful Space Docking
March 16, 1966
Gemini 8 and the Agena target vehicle connect. After the vehicles began unexpectedly tumbling, the TV show Lost in Space was preempted to show coverage of the tumbling, prompting over 2,000 complaint calls from viewers.
Nuclear War
March 16, 1955
U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower announces the U.S.'s willingness to use nuclear weapons in the event of war.
First African-American U.S. Newspaper
March 16, 1827
The first African-American U.S. newspaper, Freedom's Journal by Samuel Cornish and J.B. Russworm, begins publication.
American Indians
March 16, 1621
Samoset becomes the first Indian chief to visit the new Plymouth Colony.
Birthdays
First Person to Die During a Space Mission
Vladimir Mikhaylovich Komarov
Born March 16, 1927 d. 1967
Soviet cosmonaut. He became the first person to die during a space mission when his spacecraft became entangled in its parachute and plummeted to the Earth.
Jerry Lewis (Joseph Levitch)
Born March 16, 1926 d. 2017
American comedian, telethon host. Partner of Dean Martin. Martin and Lewis made their television debut on the first episode of The Toast of the Town (1948, later renamed The Ed Sullivan Show).
He hosted the live broadcast of The MDA Labor Day Telethon for 44 years from 1966-2010.
Jewish twins used in Mengele's deadly experiments
Jewish twins used in Mengele's deadly experiments
Josef Mengele
Born March 16, 1911 d. 1979
German SS officer and physician in Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. When prisoners arrived at Auschwitz, Mengele was one those responsible for selecting who would be killed in the gas chambers and who would live to work. He also performed deadly experiments on the prisoners, focusing primarily on twins, dwarfs, and people with eyes of two different colors. He would befriend the children, bringing them candy and having them call him "Uncle Mengele," and then sometimes execute them the following day. Witnesses say he sewed two Romani twins together back to back in an attempt to create conjoined twins. The children died of gangrene after several days of suffering.
When the war ended, he escaped to South America and evaded capture for the rest of his life. He died in Brazil in 1979 and was buried under his fake name. His remains weren't correctly identified until 1985.
Con Artist Who Sold the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty
George C. Parker
Born March 16, 1860 d. 1936
American con man. Noted for repeatedly selling the Brooklyn Bridge, Grant's Tomb, Statue of Liberty, Metropolitan Museum of Art, among others. It is said that he sold the Brooklyn Bridge as often as twice a week, with the police having to stop the "new owners" from setting up toll booths on the bridge. He was convicted and sentenced to life at Sing Sing Prison where he died.
Andrew Smith Hallidie
Born March 16, 1836 d. 1900
English-born American engineer. He invented the first cable streetcar (1871, San Francisco).
Father of the U.S. Constitution
James Madison, Jr.
Born March 16, 1751 d. 1836
American politician. 4th U.S. President (1809-17), author of the Bill of Rights. At five foot four inches (162.6 cm) he is the shortest of the U.S. presidents. He is known as "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Madison served a term as president of the American Colonization Society, which founded the settlement of Liberia for former slaves on the West African coast.
His portrait graces the U.S. $5,000 bill.
Nancy Wilson
Born March 16, 1954
American guitarist, with Heart. Music: Barracuda (1978) and Dog & Butterfly (1978).
Erik Estrada
Born March 16, 1949
American actor. TV: CHiPS (Ponch).
J.Z. Knight (Judith Darlene Hampton)
Born March 16, 1946
American psychic. She claims to be able to channel a 35,000-year-old man named Ramtha. She runs Ramtha's School of Enlightenment.
Dick Beals (Richard Lee Beals)
Born March 16, 1927 d. 2012
American actor. TV: Davey and Goliath (1960-64, voice of Davey). He was also the voice of Speedy in the Alka-Seltzer radio and TV commercials.
Bernie Wayne
Born March 16, 1919 d. 1993
American composer. Bernie Wayne wrote over 1,000 songs and music for commercial jingles. Music: There She Is (1955, Miss America Pageant theme) and the music for Blue Velvet (1963, #1).
Mercedes McCambridge
Born March 16, 1916 d. 2004
American Oscar-winning actress. Film: All the King's Men (1949, Oscar), Giant (1956), and The Exorcist (1973, voice of the demon-child).
Pat Nixon (Thelma Catherine Ryan)
Born March 16, 1912 d. 1993
American First Lady, wife of U.S. President Richard Nixon.
Robert Rossen
Born March 16, 1908 d. 1966
American Oscar-winning director. Film: All the King's Men (1949, Best Picture Oscar) and The Hustler (1961).
Henny Youngman
Born March 16, 1906 d. 1998
British-born American comedian. Quote: "Women today are crazy! I mean, take my wife… please!"
Georg Simon Ohm
Born March 16, 1789 d. 1854
German physicist. Creator of "Ohm's Law," and for whom the electrical measurements ohm and mho (Ohm spelled backwards) are named.
George Clymer
Born March 16, 1739 d. 1813
American politician, signer of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Deaths
Arthur Godfrey
Died March 16, 1983 b. 1903
American radio and TV personality. He dominated the air waves in the 1950s.
In what is considered one of the worst on-air blunders in entertainment history, during the radio portion of his show, Godfrey fired singer Julius La Rosa. La Rosa had not been told of his impending dismissal and was just as shocked as the audience.
La Rosa had a large following on the show, receiving more fan mail than Godfrey himself. A dispute occurred when La Rosa missed a ballet lesson, as required by all the onstage talent. La Rosa then hired an agent, a practice forbidden by Godfrey. When Godfrey received a letter from the agent informing him that all dealings with La Rosa would be through the agent, Godfrey decided to fire La Rosa.
Godfrey would later state that he fired La Rosa because he "lacked humility". This statement backfired and comedians used this statement to mock Godfrey.
Public opinion about Godfrey took a down turn after this incident and his popularity began to decline.
Radio: Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (1946-58). TV: Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (1949-57).
Sharon Acker
Died March 16, 2023 b. 1935
Canadian actress. TV: The New Perry Mason (1973-74, Della Street).
Stuart Whitman
Died March 16, 2020 b. 1928
American actor. TV: Cimarron Strip (1967, Marshal Jim Crown). Film: Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines (1965).
Ivan Dixon (Ivan Nathaniel Dixon III)
Died March 16, 2008 b. 1931
American actor. TV: Hogan's Heroes (1965-70, Sgt. Kinchloe).
T-Bone Walker (Aaron Walker)
Died March 16, 1975 b. 1910
American Hall of Fame blues singer. Known as the "Father of the Electric Blues", T-Bone Walker was an innovator of the jump blues, West Coast blues, and electric blues sounds.
Thomas E. Dewey
Died March 16, 1971 b. 1902
American politician. As governor of New York, he enacted the nation's first state law banning racial and religious discrimination in employment. His loss of the 1948 presidential election to Harry S. Truman surprised many, including the newspapers - The Chicago Daily Tribune mistakenly ran "DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN" as its front page headline.
Selma Lagerlof
Died March 16, 1940 b. 1858
Swedish author, first woman to receive the Nobel Prize for literature (1909).
John James Rickard MacLeod
Died March 16, 1935 b. 1876
Scottish physiologist. He shared a Nobel Prize for the discovery of insulin (1921), although his primary role was only to provide the lab in which the work was done.
Stubby with his coat of medals
Stubby with his coat of medals
Most Decorated War Dog of World War I
Sergeant Stubby
Died March 16, 1926 b. 1916
Animal hero. Sergeant Stubby was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant. Smuggled aboard the USS Minnesota, he served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months, participated in 4 offensives, and 17 battles. Stubby learned to warn his unit of gas attacks, located wounded soldiers, and could hear incoming shells long before the rest of the unit. He even caught a German solider by grabbing him by the seat of his pants and holding him there until American soldiers found him.
After the war, Stubby became a celebrity and marched and led in many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding.
Stubby was also featured in the 2018 animated film Sgt. Stubby: An American Hero.
Stubby died in his sleep on March 16, 1926.
August von Wassermann
Died March 16, 1925 b. 1866
German bacteriologist. He developed the Wassermann test for syphilis (1906).
Martin Waldseemüller
Died March 16, 1520 b. circa 1470
German geographer. He was the first to refer to the New World as America (1507, in honor of explorer Amerigo Vespucci).
Tiberius
Died March 16, A.D. 37 b. 42 B.C.
Roman Emperor (14-37 AD). Known for his vices and cruelty to his enemies.