September 16 is a special day in history. Many important things happened on this day. Also, some famous people were born on September 16. In this article, we’ll learn about five big events and five important people connected to this date.
Historical Events on September 16
1. The Mayflower Departs (1620)
On September 16, 1620, a ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England. It carried 102 Pilgrims and about 30 crew members. The Pilgrims were people who wanted to start a new life in America. They were looking for religious freedom and new opportunities.
The Mayflower’s journey was long and hard. It took 66 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean. The ship faced big storms and many people got sick. Finally, on November 21, 1620, the Mayflower reached Cape Cod in what is now Massachusetts.
This voyage was very important for American history. The Pilgrims who arrived on the Mayflower were some of the first European settlers in New England. They started Plymouth Colony, one of the earliest successful colonies in North America. The story of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims is now a big part of American culture. We remember it every year on Thanksgiving.
2. Shakespeare’s Birthplace Purchased (1847)
William Shakespeare is one of the most famous writers in history. He wrote many plays and poems that people still love today. On September 16, 1847, a group called the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust bought the house where Shakespeare was born.
Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. The house where he was born was in danger of being torn down. Some people wanted to move it to America. But the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust saved it.
Buying this house was very important. It helped keep Shakespeare’s memory alive. Now, people from all over the world can visit the place where the great writer was born. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust still takes care of the house today. They also look after other buildings connected to Shakespeare’s life.
3. Wall Street Bombing (1920)
On September 16, 1920, a terrible thing happened in New York City. At 12:01 PM, a horse-drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street. This area is the heart of America’s financial world. The explosion killed 38 people and hurt 143 others.
No one ever found out who did this bombing. Some people think it was done by anarchists, who were against big businesses and governments. The attack scared a lot of people and showed that even important places like Wall Street could be in danger.
After the bombing, Wall Street had to change. Banks and other businesses put up more security. The bombing is still one of the worst terrorist attacks in New York City’s history. It reminds us of the dangers that can happen in big cities.
4. First US Peacetime Draft (1940)
On September 16, 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a very important law. It was called the Selective Training and Service Act. This law started the first peacetime draft in US history.
A draft is when the government makes people join the military. Before this, the US only had drafts during wars. But in 1940, World War II was happening in Europe. The US wasn’t in the war yet, but leaders thought they needed to get ready.
This law said all men between 21 and 36 years old had to sign up for the draft. The government could choose some of these men to join the military. This helped the US build up its army before joining World War II in 1941.
The peacetime draft changed how America thought about its military. Even after World War II ended, the US kept using the draft until 1973. This helped America have a big, strong military for many years.
5. Amnesty for Vietnam War Deserters (1974)
On September 16, 1974, President Gerald Ford did something to help heal the country after the Vietnam War. He offered “conditional amnesty” to people who had run away to avoid fighting in the war.
The Vietnam War was very unpopular. Many young men didn’t want to fight, so they left the country or hid. This was against the law. President Ford’s amnesty meant these men could come back without being punished, if they agreed to work for the government for up to two years.
Not everyone liked this idea. Some people thought it was too nice to men who broke the law. Others thought it wasn’t nice enough. But it was a step towards helping the country move on after a difficult war.
Famous Birthdays on September 16
1. Henry V (1387-1422)
Henry V was a King of England. He was born on September 16, 1387, in Monmouth Castle, Wales.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1387 |
| Died | August 31, 1422 |
| Title | King of England (1413-1422) |
| Famous for | Winning the Battle of Agincourt |
| Interesting fact | Shakespeare wrote a famous play about him |
Henry V became king in 1413. He is famous for fighting wars against France. His biggest victory was at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. This battle is still remembered as one of England’s greatest military wins.
Henry V was a strong leader who made England more powerful. He also helped make English the main language used in government. William Shakespeare wrote a famous play about Henry V’s life, which is still performed today.
2. Charles Crocker (1822-1888)
Charles Crocker was an American businessman. He was born on September 16, 1822, in Troy, New York.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1822 |
| Died | August 14, 1888 |
| Known for | Helping build the First Transcontinental Railroad |
| Companies | Central Pacific Railroad, Southern Pacific Railroad |
| Interesting fact | He started as a blacksmith before becoming rich |
Crocker was one of the most important businessmen in American history. He helped build the First Transcontinental Railroad. This was a huge project that connected the east and west coasts of America by train for the first time.
Crocker started out poor, working as a blacksmith. But he became very rich through his work with railroads. He was part of a group called the “Big Four” who controlled much of California’s early railroad system. His work helped open up the American West for more people to live and work there.
3. James Cash Penney (1875-1971)
James Cash Penney was an American businessman. He was born on September 16, 1875, in Hamilton, Missouri.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1875 |
| Died | February 12, 1971 |
| Known for | Founding J.C. Penney stores |
| First store opened | 1902 |
| Interesting fact | He named his stores “The Golden Rule” at first |
Penney is famous for starting the J.C. Penney company. This became one of the biggest department store chains in America. He opened his first store in 1902 in Wyoming. He called it “The Golden Rule” because he believed in treating customers fairly.
Penney’s business grew quickly. By 1929, he had 1,400 stores across America. His stores were known for good quality products at fair prices. Even when he became very rich, Penney kept working hard and cared about his employees and customers.
4. Lee Kuan Yew (1923-2015)
Lee Kuan Yew was a politician from Singapore. He was born on September 16, 1923, in Singapore.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1923 |
| Died | March 23, 2015 |
| Known for | Being the first Prime Minister of Singapore |
| Time as Prime Minister | 1959-1990 |
| Interesting fact | He helped make Singapore an independent country |
Lee Kuan Yew is called the “founding father” of modern Singapore. He led Singapore to become independent from Britain and then from Malaysia. He was Singapore’s first Prime Minister and held this job for 31 years.
Under Lee’s leadership, Singapore changed from a poor country to a rich and modern one. He worked to stop corruption, improve education, and bring in foreign businesses. Many people around the world respect him for how he developed Singapore, even though some criticized his strict rule.
5. B.B. King (1925-2015)
B.B. King was an American blues singer and guitarist. He was born on September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi.
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Born | September 16, 1925 |
| Died | May 14, 2015 |
| Known for | Being the “King of the Blues” |
| Famous song | “The Thrill Is Gone” |
| Interesting fact | His guitar was named “Lucille” |
B.B. King is one of the most famous blues musicians ever. He started playing guitar as a young man and became known for his unique style. He named his guitar “Lucille” and was famous for the way he played it.
King recorded many albums and toured for over 50 years. His most famous song is “The Thrill Is Gone.” He won 15 Grammy Awards and was put in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. King influenced many other musicians and helped make blues music popular around the world.
Takeaway
September 16 is a day full of important events and birthdays. From the Mayflower’s journey to America to the birth of music legend B.B. King, this date has seen many things that changed history. The events and people we talked about show how one day can connect to big changes in politics, business, and culture. Learning about these stories helps us understand how the past shapes our world today.
References:
- Philbrick, N. (2006). Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War. Viking.
- Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. (n.d.). Our History. https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/about-us/our-history/
- Gage, B. (2009). The Day Wall Street Exploded: A Story of America in Its First Age of Terror. Oxford University Press.
- Flynn, G. Q. (1993). The Draft, 1940-1973. University Press of Kansas.
- Baskir, L. M., & Strauss, W. A. (1978). Chance and Circumstance: The Draft, the War, and the Vietnam Generation. Knopf.
- Allmand, C. (1992). Henry V. Yale University Press.
- Ambrose, S. E. (2000). Nothing Like It In the World: The Men Who Built the Transcontinental Railroad 1863-1869. Simon & Schuster.
- Penney, J. C. (1950). Fifty Years with the Golden Rule. Harper & Brothers.
- Lee, K. Y. (2000). From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. HarperCollins.
- Sawyer, C. (1981). The Arrival of B.B. King: The Authorized Biography. Doubleday.
