December 16 in History

A charter records Athelstan confirming an extensive group of estates and privileges to Chertsey Minster.

Created Duke of Bedford, 3rd, by Henry VII

Mary seeks aid from Elizabeth & France

Elizabeth supports Mary if France does not intervene

Marys trial is moved to Hampton Court. Mary is tried at a tribunal as the Queen of Scotland

The trial of Mary Queen of Scots moves to Hampton Court. The trial is private as the Queen of Scotland cannot be tried by an English Court

Buried in St Pauls Cathedral, a State Funeral taking place at the Old St Pauls Cathedral

Scottish commissioners submitted accusations concerning Strafford's role in the wars and his actions against Scots in Ireland.

Cromwell accepts the position of Lord Protector. As Protector, Cromwell has the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but is obliged under the Instrument of Government to seek the majority vote of a Council of State

As Protector, Cromwell has the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but is obliged under the Instrument of Government to seek the majority vote of a Council of State

Cromwell became Lord Protector under the written constitution called the Instrument of Government.

Cromwell signs his name Oliver P, standing for Oliver Protector - in a similar style to that used by English monarchs - and it soon becomes the norm for others to address him as "Your highness". As Protector, Cromwell has the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but is obliged under the Instrument of Government to seek the majority vote of a Council of State. Appointed Lord Protector

Gives royal assent with Mary II to the Bill of Rights

Gives royal assent with William III to the Bill of Rights

William III of Orange gives royal assent to the Bill of Rights, placing major limits on arbitrary royal power and confirming parliamentary liberties.

Departs from Dunkirk to lead the Jacobites in Scotland

Personally leads an army of 40,000

1st day of the Prussian invasion of Silesia

After a meeting held by Adams demonstrators board three vessels and dump all 342 chests of tea into the water

Argues the Tea Party was not the act of a lawless mob, but was instead a principled protest and the only remaining option the people had to defend their constitutional rights

Whether or not Samuel Adams helped plan the Boston Tea Party is disputed, but he immediately worked to publicize and defend it

Aimed Tea Act of 1773, which allowed the British East India company to sell tea from China in American colonies without paying taxes

Colonists object to the Tea Act because they believe it violates their rights to "no taxation without representation"

Demonstrators destroy an entire shipment of tea sent by the East India Company

The Boston Tea Party is a protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston

The British Government responds harshly and the episode escalates into the American Revolution

Colonists object to the Tea Act because they believe it violates their rights to "no taxation without representation"

Benjamin Rush urges his fellow countrymen to oppose the landing of the tea, because the cargo contained "the seeds of slavery

Adams refers to the idea that all Governments have a constitution, written or not, and that the constitution of Great Britain could be interpreted as banning the levying of taxes without representation

Argues the Tea Party was not the act of a lawless mob, but was instead a principled protest and the only remaining option the people had to defend their constitutional rights

The 2nd cousin of President John Adams is the chief instigator of the Boston tea party. A protest against the British tea tax imposed on Colonialists in Massachusetts

Merchants board a boycotted ship to hold a tea Party & throw its tea overboard

Holds a tea party & throws tea overboard, followed by other American ports. Causes the British Parliament to place Boston under military rule

1st tea ship is boycotted in Boston by the British

The Boston Tea Party is a protest by the Sons of Liberty in Boston

Completes Piano Concerto No 22 in E-flat major.

Toulon is recaptured from the British. Directs a siege against a British squadron & wins promotion to General of brigade

Carries the declaration of Transvaal independence to be printed.

Carries the declaration of Transvaal independence to be printed.

Carries the independence proclamation to Potchefstroom.

The 1st shots in the struggle for the Transvaal are fired against British soldiers

Funeral procession of Paulus Kruger, revives an Afrikaaner political revival

Appointed Prime Minister of Spain, 3rd term

Polling will commence from 12 January & finish 8 February. Announces a general election

Revolutionaries resist government troops in Moscow districts.

Creates contributory health and unemployment insurance for covered workers.

Establishes contributory protection against sickness and unemployment.

Secures Royal Assent for the National Insurance Act.

The National Insurance Act creates contributory health and unemployment insurance schemes.

Creates health insurance for many workers, a precursor to later NHS debates.

Secures enactment of the National Insurance Act.

Represents Ottoman interests as peace negotiations begin.

Supports Serbian territorial claims during the London negotiations.

Chaplin reports to work at Keystone Studios to launch a legendary film career

A German squadron bombs Hartlepool, Scarborough & Whitby

A German squadron bombards Hartlepool, Scarborough and Whitby.

Hipper's force escapes despite British interception attempts after bombarding Scarborough, Whitby and Hartlepool.

Churchill reviews naval defensive arrangements after German battlecruisers bombard Hartlepool.

Japanese Foreign Minister declares Japan will not give up German islands occupied north of the Equator

Japanese Foreign Minister declares Japan will not give up German islands occupied north of the Equator

Beatty's battlecruisers participate in the British effort to intercept German forces returning from the east-coast raid.

The Admiralty reviews the German bombardment of Scarborough and the failure to force a decisive interception.

The 28 day armistice with the Central Powers begins

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic

Ebert manages to enforce quick elections for a National Assembly to produce a constitution for a Parliamentary system, marginalizing the movement that called for a socialist republic. Ebert calls for a National Congress of Councils, which take place from December 16 to December 20, 1918, and in which the MSPD had the majority

Drafts "Theses" for the Central Committee advocating disciplined armies of workers

Drafts "Theses" for the Central Committee advocating disciplined armies of workers

The Henri Carton de Wiart Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as Prime Minister of Belgium.

Begins the First Georges Theunis Government in Brussels and serves as Prime Minister of Belgium.

Assassinated by a nationalist fanatic

Forms a cabinet of pacification after the assassination of Narutowicz

Forms a cabinet of pacification after the assassination of Narutowicz

Appointed Prime Minister of Poland, 1st term

The League of Nations supports the "Brussels Line", the border between Turkey and Iraq

The League of Nations sets the border between Turkey and Iraq, putting the Mosul region in Iraq rather than Turkey despite the wishes of the local Kurdish population

Turkey rejects but later accepts the League-backed Mosul decision.

The League awards Mosul to Iraq over Turkish claims.

The League of Nations sets the border between Turkey and Iraq, putting the Mosul region in Iraq rather than Turkey despite the wishes of the local Kurdish population

The League of Nations sets the border between Turkey and Iraq, putting the Mosul region in Iraq rather than Turkey despite the wishes of the local Kurdish population

Carol creates the National Renaissance Front as the sole legal political organisation.

HMS Cumberland reaches Harwood's force off Montevideo, strengthening the cruisers waiting for Graf Spee to leave port.

Japanese forces land on the coast of Borneo

Begins the Bjorn Thordarson Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.

The First Olafur Thors Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.

Appointed Prime Minister of Iceland

Gariboldi's 8th Army is struck by the Soviet offensive later known as Operation Little Saturn, breaking key sectors of the Don front.

Partisans capture Split in Yugoslavia

Partisans capture Split in Yugoslavia

Leads renewed Italian attacks at Montelungo as co-belligerent forces prove their commitment against Germany.

Jodl's OKW staff monitors the opening of the German offensive in the Ardennes.

The closest the Germans get to Antwerp is Dinant, well to the east of the Maas

Supports Roosevelt's proposal that Stalin postpone a decision on Poland until the three leaders meet.

16 Dec-28 Jan, leads the 3rd Army across France & into Germany

Forms a Socialist Government

Appointed Prime Minister of France

Mao Tse-Tung has talks with Stalin in Moscow

Mao Tse-Tung has talks with Stalin in Moscow

Secures power to introduce charges, though implementation is delayed.

A state of emergency is proclaimed in the USA after the reversals of the United Nations in Korea

DiMaggio announces his retirement from baseball

Created Earl Attlee and Viscount Prestwood

Feroz Khan Noon becomes Prime Minister of Pakistan.

A CIA biographical record stated that Fiorini planned to return to Cuba to fight Castro in December 1960.

A CIA biographical record stated that Fiorini planned to leave Florida on December 16, 1960, to return to Cuba and fight against Castro.

Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe

Killed during the planting of bombs at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto

Bombs are exploded at power stations & Government offices by Umkhonto we Sizwe. A bombing campaign held on the Afikaner Dinganes day, anniversarry Blood River

Farm Gate aircraft are authorized to fly combat missions

Mandela helps direct the organisation initial sabotage strategy.

Appointed Shadow Foreign Secretary after changes to Labour's front-bench team.

Leaflets are circulated nationally announcing the birth of Umkhonto we Sizwe

Umkhonto we Sizwe publicly announces its existence.

"War Is Over! If You Want It!" billboards go up in 11 cities around the world, as a Christmas message from John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Appears in Love Story in his first feature film role

Directs Love Story

Stars as Jenny Cavalleri in Love Story

India accepts the Pakistani surrender in the eastern theatre and announces a ceasefire on the western front.

The eastern war ends with the surrender of Pakistan's Eastern Command.

Pakistan's Eastern Command surrenders in Dhaka, confirming Bangladesh's independence after India's military victory.

The surrender at Dhaka ends the eastern campaign and secures the emergence of independent Bangladesh.

Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrender to the allied forces of India and Bangladesh, jointly known as the Mitro Bahini

Pakistani forces in East Pakistan surrender to the allied forces of India and Bangladesh, jointly known as the Mitro Bahini

Jagjit Singh Aurora accepts the surrender of Pakistani forces at Dhaka, ending organized resistance in East Pakistan.

J. F. R. Jacob helps negotiate the surrender terms that Pakistani forces sign in Dhaka on 16 December 1971.

Niazi signs the instrument of surrender for Pakistani forces in East Pakistan at Dhaka.

Pilots America during the maneuver that sends Apollo 17 from lunar orbit toward Earth.

Leads Ireland when completion of accession-treaty ratification is formally notified.

Margaret Thatcher is visited by the Gorbachevs

The Gorbachevs visit Margaret Thatcher, Raisas 1st visit to western Europe

Visits Margaret Thatcher at her invitation as an up & coming leader

Mladenov sets a May 31 deadline for free elections in Bulgaria

Mladenov sets a May 31 deadline for free elections in Bulgaria

His attempted eviction sparks protests in Timisoara.

Wins the presidential election

Tereshchenko leads the first government after independence

The Conservative Party candidate is heavily defeated in Dudley West

Supports the changeover scenario setting the route from national currencies to the euro.

Supports the changeover scenario establishing the timetable for the single currency.

Supports the timetable and legal preparations for the future single currency.

Chirac joined European leaders in adopting the name euro for the future single currency.

Supports the Madrid changeover scenario establishing euro as the name of the future single currency.

Galileo makes a close Europa flyby as the extended Galileo Europa Mission begins.

Accepts the Global and Inclusive Agreement establishing institutions for a postwar political transition.

Joins Congolese parties in approving the Global and Inclusive Agreement that establishes a power-sharing transition.

Accepts the power-sharing agreement that creates a transitional political system for the postwar period.

Voyager 1 crosses the solar-wind termination shock and enters the heliosheath.

With the help of the US military, Turkish fighter jets bomb areas in Dohuk Province in northern Iraq, targeting the Kurdish militant group, the Kurdistan Workers Party

With the help of the US military, Turkish fighter jets bomb areas in Dohuk Province in northern Iraq, targeting the Kurdish militant group, the Kurdistan Workers Party

Bangladeshs military-backed Government says it will end nearly two years of emergency rule and restore civil liberties before this months national elections

Bangladeshs military-backed Government says it will end nearly two years of emergency rule and restore civil liberties before this months national elections

New Horizons begins another scheduled hibernation cycle while continuing its multi-year cruise toward Pluto.

Bangladeshs military-backed Government says it will end nearly two years of emergency rule and restore civil liberties before this months national elections

The Federal Reserve lowers the federal funds target range to near zero.

Guides Corinthians to victory over Chelsea in the world final.

ESA ends Venus Express operations after fuel depletion following more than eight years of observations around Venus.

Kelly helps predict and then identify the reappearance of gravitationally lensed Supernova Refsdal in Hubble images.

Scores the only goal against Gremio as Real Madrid retain the Club World Cup.

Resigns from cabinet after serving as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

Birth of Robert Bertie, later first Earl of Lindsey

Birth of John Selden

Death of William de Bohun, 1st Earl of Northampton

Death of Gabrie Narutowicz, assassinated

With 500 defeats 10,000 Zulus under Dingane. Held by the Afrikaner as a triumph over the African demonstrating God is on their side. Afrikaners hold the day to be "holy" & annualy celebrate its anniversary

The Ottoman fleet is driven back by Greece.

Defeats the Ottoman fleet off the Dardanelles.

1st day of operations to split the Allies & cut off their supplies

1st day of operations to split the Allies & cut off their supplies

An offensive orderred by Hitler to split the British & Americans & drive for Antwerp. 16 Dec-28 Jan, Hitler's "watch on the Rhine"

First day of operations to split the Allies & cut off from their supplies

The closest the Germans get to Antwerp is Dinant, well to the east of the Maas. Ordered by Hitler, Model prefers just to take out the US salient at Aachen

16 Dec-28 Jan, leads the 3rd Army across France & into Germany

The Germans advance 50 miles, the Bulge. 16 Dec-28 Jan, a final offensive in the Ardennes 3 German armies attack 4 US divisions

Arun Khetrapal fights Pakistani armour at Basantar and is killed after refusing to abandon his damaged tank.