July 16, 2027: National Ai Day, National Cherry Day, Corn Fritters Day, National Personal Chef Day

National Days on July 16, 2027

Born on July 16

People born on July 16

1967

Will Ferrell

American actor and comedian known for his starring roles in Elf, Step Brothers, Daddy's Home, and Anchorman, to name a few.

1882

Violette Neatley Anderson

American judge who was the first African-American woman to practice law before the United States Supreme Court on January 29, 1926.

1963

Phoebe Cates

Model and actress who with roles in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch, and Drop Dead Fred.

1907

Orville Redenbacher

Founder Orville Redenbacher's

1932

Max McGee

Former NFL end and punter for the Green Bay Packers. He is best known for his seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, scoring the first touchdown in the first Super Bowl.

1821

Mary Baker Eddy

Religious leader and author who founded The Church of Christ, Scientist. She has been referred to as the Mother Church of the Christian Science movement.

1968

Larry Sanger

Co-founder Wikipedia and Citizendium.

1933

Julian A. Brodsky

Co-founder of the Comcast Corporation and Comcast Ventures.

1887

Joseph Jefferson Jackson

Professional outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the early 20th century. His .356 career batting average is one of the highest in major-league history.

1862

Ida B. Wells

American journalist and activist who was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

1971

Corey Feldman

80s actor with award-winning roles in Gremlins, The Goonies, and Stand by Me.

1924

Bess Myerson

Model and actress who won the Miss America pageant in 1945, becoming the first Jewish women to win the crown. Her achievement was seen as an promise to Jewish people in America because the win occurred in the aftermath of the Holocaust.

1838

Augustin Daly

Playwright and theatre manager who is considered the first stage director in America.

Historical Events on July 16

Events that occurred on July 16 throughout history

1769

July 16, 1769

Father Junípero Serra founds California's first mission (Mission San Diego de Alcalá). It eventually evolves into the city of San Diego, California.

1790

July 16, 1790

The District of Columbia is established as the capital of the U.S. after the Residence Act is signed by President George Washington. The Act stipulated that the U.S. President select a site on the Potomac River as the permanent capital of the country.

1861

July 16, 1861

President Abraham Lincoln orders Union troops to begin a 25-mile march into Virginia, resulting the first major land battle of the Civil War (First Battle of Bull Run).

1862

July 16, 1862

David Farragut is promoted to rear admiral, becoming the first officer in U.S. Navy to hold an admiral rank.

1915

July 16, 1915

The first Order of the Arrow ceremony takes place at Treasure Island on the Delaware River to honor American Boy Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law.

1935

July 16, 1935

The world's first parking meter is installed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The meter cost a nickel per hour to park

1945

July 16, 1945

The Manhattan Project performs the first test detonation of an atomic bomb. The test explosion vaporized the 100-foot steel test tower, melted the surrounding desert sand into a green glassy residue, and produced a massive mushroom cloud that soared 40,000 feet into the air.

1951

July 16, 1951

Author of The Catcher in the Rye.

1956

July 16, 1956

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus perform their last performance under a canvas tent in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The "Big Tent" show ended due to changing economics.

1969

July 16, 1969

The Apollo 11 lunar landing mission is launched from Cape Kennedy in Florida. The space flight was the first to land humans on the Moon.

1999

July 16, 1999

John F. Kennedy Jr., his wife, Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, and her sister, Lauren Bessette die in a plane crash off the coast of Martha's Vineyard. Kennedy was piloting the plane.