SEPTEMBER 16 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on September 16
Squire Whipple
Died: March 15, 1888 (age 83 years)
Engineer who invented the iron truss bridge.
Charles Crocker
Died: August 14, 1888 (age 65 years)
One of the founders of the Central Pacific Railroad.
James Cash Penney
Died: February 12, 1971 (age 95 years)
Founder of the department store J.C. Penney.
Jacob Schick
Died: July 3, 1937 (age 59 years)
Inventor and founder of Schick Razors.
Clara Ayres
Died: May 17, 1917 (age 36 years)
One of the first American nurse's to die during WWI. Ayres died after an explosion on the USS Mongolia on May 17, 1917.
Claude Albert Barnett
Died: August 2, 1967 (age 77 years)
Journalist and founder of the Associated Negro Press in Chicago, Illinois, which was the first international news agency for black newspapers.
H. A. Rey
Died: August 26, 1977 (age 78 years)
Author, illustrator, and co-creator of Curious George.
B.B. King
Died: May 14, 2015 (age 89 years)
Considered one of the most successful and influential blues musicians of all time.
Peter Falk
Died: June 23, 2011 (age 83 years)
Actor fondly remembered for his role as Lieutenant Columbo in the popular telvision series Columbo.
Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Historian, scholar, and journalist who currently hosts Finding Your Roots.
David Copperfield
Contemporary magician.
Historical Events on September 16
Events that occurred on September 16 throughout history
The Mayflower sets said for Virginia.
Pilgrims set sail for Virginia from Plymouth, England in the Mayflower. The 10-week journey brought 102 passengers and a crew of about 30, reached Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
The Great Seal of the United States of America used for the first time.
The Great Seal of the United States of America used for the first time. The seal was used on a document that authorized General George Washington to negotiate a prisoner of war exchange with the British.
Settlers claim homesteads in Oklahoma Territory.
Settlers claim homesteads by "running" to their chosen area on the Cherokee Land Strip in Oklahoma Territory.
The General Motors Corporation is founded.
William C. Durant founds the General Motors Corporation is founded in Flint, Michigan.
The American Legion is incorporated.
Congress incorporates the American Legion as a patriotic wartime veterans organization. The organization was created to support veterans, advocate for patriotism, and promote strong national security.
President Roosevelt signs the Selective Training and Service Act.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the first peacetime military draft. The Selective Training and Service Act in order to strengthen the U.S. military before entering World War II.
The U.S. Auto Club is formed.
The U.S. Auto Club is formed to oversee four major auto racing categories--Championship Cars, Sprint Cars, Midget Cars, and Stock Cars.
The first successful photocopier is introduced in New York City.
The first successful photocopier is introduced in a demonstration on live television from New York City. The Xerox 914 weighed 648 pounds and took about 26 seconds to make a single copy.
Charlie's Angels debuts on television.
Charlie's Angels debut on television. The series aired 115 episodes over five seasons between 1976 and 1981.
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