October 16th takes us even deeper into October, one of the spookiest months of the year if you’re living in the West. It’s also deep into fall for people in the upper hemisphere, meaning the nights are getting longer and colder by the day. No need to worry about weather right now – let’s take a look at some fascinating facts about October 16th that might just shock you…
On this day
1The Battle of Leipzig began.
On 16 October 1813, the Battle of Leipzig, also called the Battle of the Nations, began. Over three days, armies from Austria, Prussia, Russia and Sweden defeated Napoleon. With around half a million soldiers involved, it was the largest battle in Europe before the First World War.
2The Anglo-German Treaty was signed.
In 1900, the Anglo-German Treaty was signed by Great Britain and Germany. The treaty marked the agreement between the two to maintain the territorial integrity of China as well as support the open-door policy.
3The Long March began.
On 16 October 1934, around 86,000 soldiers of China’s Communist Red Army broke out of encirclement in Jiangxi province and began the Long March. A year and around 6,000 miles (10,000 km) later, only a fraction reached Shaanxi in the north, but the march made Mao Zedong the party’s leader.
4Augusto Pinochet was caught.
In 1998, Augusto Pinochet, the former Chilean dictator, was arrested in London. He was caught on a Spanish warrant for his arrest and a request for his extradition on murder charges.
5Typhoon Wipha struck Japan.
On 16 October 2013, Typhoon Wipha brought record rainfall to Japan, triggering landslides on Izu Ōshima island south of Tokyo. Around 40 people were killed. An earlier storm called Wipha had hit China in 2007.
Special Days Falling on October 16th
October 16th is the perfect date to consider others, ourselves, and our favorite feline friends. Here are some of the biggest celebrations taking place around the world today.
World Spine Day
Every 16 October is World Spine Day, which raises awareness of back pain, one of the most common causes of disability around the world. It encourages people to stay active, look after their posture and seek help if pain persists.
World Food Day
World Food Day marks the founding of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization on 16 October 1945. Hundreds of millions of people still go hungry, while around a third of the food produced in the world is lost or wasted.
Global Cat Day
Although many of us do not quite revere our cats as the Egyptians used to, they still mean a lot to us! Our feline friends can be difficult, clumsy, and downright violent, but they are also full of love, tenderness, and loyalty. So, treat your cat today, or see how you can help your local strays get adopted!
This month in history
The UN was founded. In October of 1945, the United Nations was founded as a worldwide organization intent on creating and maintaining peace around the world. To this day, it remains one of the most important and active organizations on the planet – and we could all do with a little more organization, especially when it comes to world politics!
Famous Birthdays on October 16th
- Niwa Nagahide, Japanese warlord, born 1535
- Arnold Krug, German composer, born 1849
- Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright, born 1854
- Angela Lansbury, English-American actor, born 1925
- Naomi Osaka, Japanese tennis star, born 1997
If you were born on October 16th…
…you’re a Libra! You are a very just person. In fact, you cannot stand injustice, and everything must be fair in all walks of life – you just find it utterly uncomfortable otherwise! People turn to you, as a Libra, to help them balance things out – you’re a real set of scales! And, if you’re completely new to the idea of star signs and horoscopes, make sure to check out our complete fact file on Libra now.
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