August 16 in History

65 events 1 BC – 2020

August 16 spans 65 recorded events across recorded history — from 1 BC – 2020. Below is a curated digest of the most significant moments tied to this date.

By · Wikipedia

The August Complex fire in California burns more than one million acres of land.

2020 — The August Complex fire in California burns more than one million acres of land

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The August Complex fire originated from 38 separate fires started by lightning strikes on August 16–17, 2020, in Northern California.

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The fire burned across six counties, including Glenn, Lake, Mendocino, Tehama, Trinity, and Shasta Counties.

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On September 9, the Doe Fire surpassed the 2018 Mendocino Complex to become the largest wildfire in recorded California history.

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The August Complex fire was finally extinguished on November 12, after burning for nearly three months.

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The total area burned by the August Complex fire was approximately 1,614 square miles, which is larger than the state of Rhode Island.


Wang Mang consolidates his power in China and is declared marshal of state.
Emperor Ai of Han, who died the previous day, had no heirs.
Wang Mang, courtesy name Jujun, officially titled the Shijianguo Emperor, was the founder and the only emperor of the short-lived Xin dynasty of imperial China. Originally an official and consort kin of the Han dynasty, Wang seized the throne in AD 9. The Han dynasty was restored after his overthrow, and his rule marked the separation between the earlier Western Han dynasty and the later Eastern Han dynasty.
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Start of the four-day Battle of al-Mada'in, between the Hamdanids of Mosul and the Baridis of Basra over control of the Abbasid capital, Baghdad.
Battle for control of Baghdad in 942
The Battle of al-Mada'in was fought near al-Mada'in in central Iraq between the armies of the Hamdanids and the Baridis, for control over Baghdad, the capital and seat of the Abbasid Caliphate, that was around 22 kilometres (14 mi) away and then under control of the Hamdanids. In a fiercely contested battle over four days that cost both sides many casualties, the Hamdanid army prevailed. They were too exhausted to pursue, however, which allowed the Baridis to withdraw to Wasit and then Basra.
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942
Nikephoros II Phokas is crowned emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969
Nikephoros II Phokas, Latinized Nicephorus II Phocas, was Byzantine emperor from 963 to 969. His career, not uniformly successful in matters of statecraft or of war, nonetheless greatly contributed to the resurgence of the Byzantine Empire during the 10th century. In the east, Nikephoros completed the conquest of Cilicia and retook the islands of Crete and Cyprus, opening the path for subsequent Byzantine incursions reaching as far as Upper Mesopotamia and the Levant; these campaigns earned him the sobriquet "pale death of the Saracens."
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963
The House of Gonzaga seizes power in the Duchy of Mantua, and will rule until 1708.
Italian royal family that ruled parts of Northern Italy
The House of Gonzaga is an Italian princely family that ruled Mantua in Lombardy, northern Italy from 1328 to 1708. They also ruled Monferrato in Piedmont and Nevers in France, as well as many other lesser fiefs throughout Europe. The family includes a saint, twelve cardinals, and fourteen bishops. Two Gonzaga descendants became empresses of the Holy Roman Empire, and one became Queen of Poland and Grand Duchess of Lithuania in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth.
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1328
Battle of the Spurs (Battle of Guinegate): King Henry VIII of England and his Imperial allies defeat French Forces who are then forced to retreat.
1513 battle of the War of the League of Cambrai
The Battle of the Spurs or (Second) Battle of Guinegate took place on 16 August 1513. It formed a part of the War of the League of Cambrai of 1508 to 1516, during the Italian Wars. King Henry VIII of England and Emperor Maximilian I were besieging the French town of Thérouanne in Artois. Henry's camp was at Guinegate. A large body of French heavy cavalry under Jacques de La Palice was covering an attempt by light cavalry to bring supplies to the besieged garrison. English and Imperial troops surprised and routed the French cavalry. The battle resulted in the precipitate flight and extensive pursuit of the French. During the pursuit, a number of notable French leaders and knights were captured. After the fall of Thérouanne, Henry VIII besieged and took Tournai.
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1513
Rabbi Moses Isserles issues his ruling in the Bragadin-Giustiniani dispute, one of the earliest instances of a copyright suit over any book.
Polish rabbi
Moses Isserles, also known by the acronym Rema, was an eminent Polish Ashkenazi rabbi, talmudist, and posek.
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1550
The Principality of Transylvania is established after John II Zápolya renounces his claim as King of Hungary in the Treaty of Speyer.
Former semi-independent state
The Principality of Transylvania was a semi-independent state ruled by Hungarian princes. It existed as an Ottoman vassal state for the majority of the 16th and 17th centuries, overseen by Ottoman Turkish sultans. At various points during this period, the Habsburgs also exerted a degree of suzerainty in the region. Its territory, in addition to the traditional Transylvanian lands, also included the other major component called Partium, which was in some periods comparable in size with Transylvania proper. The establishment of the principality was connected to the Treaty of Speyer. However, Stephen Báthory's status as king of Poland also helped to phase in the name Principality of Transylvania.
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1570
Battle of Plymouth: Inconclusive naval action between the fleets of Michiel de Ruyter and George Ayscue in the First Anglo-Dutch War.
1652 naval battle of the Anglo-Dutch War
The Battle of Plymouth was a naval battle in the First Anglo-Dutch War. It took place on 16 August 1652 (26 August 1652 and was a short battle, but had the unexpected outcome of a Dutch victory over England. General-at-Sea George Ayscue of the Commonwealth of England attacked an outward bound convoy of the Dutch Republic commanded by Vice-Commodore Michiel de Ruyter. The two commanders had been personal friends before the war. The Dutch were able to force Ayscue to break off the engagement, and the Dutch convoy sailed safely to the Atlantic while Ayscue sailed to Plymouth for repairs.
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1652
American Revolutionary War: The Americans led by General John Stark rout British and Brunswick troops under Friedrich Baum at the Battle of Bennington in Walloomsac, New York.
1775–1783 armed conflict in North America
The American Revolutionary War, also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which American Patriot forces organized as the Continental Army and commanded by George Washington defeated the British Army. The conflict was fought in North America, the Caribbean, and the Atlantic Ocean. The war's outcome seemed uncertain for most of the war, but Washington and the Continental Army's decisive victory in the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 led King George III and the Kingdom of Great Britain to negotiate an end to the war. In 1783, in the Treaty of Paris, the British monarchy acknowledged the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, leading to the establishment of the United States as an independent and sovereign nation.
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1777
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Camden: The British defeat the Americans near Camden, South Carolina.
1780 battle of the American Revolutionary War
The Battle of Camden, also known as the Battle of Camden Court House, was a major victory for the British in the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War. On August 16, 1780, British forces under Lieutenant General Charles, Lord Cornwallis routed the numerically superior American forces led by Major General Horatio Gates about four miles north of Camden, South Carolina, thus strengthening the British hold on the Carolinas following the capture of Charleston.
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1780
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Born on August 16

20 people 1986 – 2001
Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner
Italian tennis player
Jannik Sinner is an Italian professional tennis player. He is currently ranked world No.1 by Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), including as the year-end No. 1 in 2024. Sinner has won 27 ATP Tour–level singles…
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2001
Karen Chen
Karen Chen
American figure skater
Karen Chen is an American figure skater. She is a 2022 Olympic Games team event gold medalist, two-time CS U.S. Classic bronze medalist, the 2015 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist, the 2017 U.S. national…
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1999
Greyson Chance
Greyson Chance
American musician
Greyson Michael Chance is an American singer-songwriter. He rose to national attention in 2010 as a child singer after his performance of Lady Gaga's "Paparazzi" went viral on YouTube and gained over 72 million views.…
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1997
Sophie Cunningham
Sophie Cunningham
American basketball player
Sophie Elizabeth Cunningham is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Missouri Tigers.
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1996
Caeleb Dressel
Caeleb Dressel
American swimmer
Caeleb Remel Dressel is an American competitive swimmer who specializes in freestyle, butterfly, and individual medley events. He swims representing the Cali Condors as part of the International Swimming League. He won…
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1996
Cameron Monaghan
Cameron Monaghan
American actor and model
Cameron Riley Monaghan is an American actor and model. The accolades he has received include nominations for a BAFTA Award and a Critics' Choice Television Award.
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1993
Diego Schwartzman
Diego Schwartzman
Argentinian tennis player
Diego Sebastián Schwartzman is an Argentine former professional tennis player. He won four ATP Tour singles titles and reached his career-high singles ranking of world No. 8 in October 2020. As a clay court specialist,…
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1992
José Eduardo de Araújo
Brazilian footballer
José Eduardo de Araújo, or simply Zé Eduardo, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder. He can also play at full-back or on either wing, but sees central midfield as his strongest…
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1991
Evanna Lynch
Evanna Lynch
Irish actress
Evanna Lynch is an Irish actress and activist. She is best known for portraying Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter film series.
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1991
Young Thug
Young Thug
American rapper, singer and songwriter
Jeffery Lamar Williams II, known professionally as Young Thug, is an American rapper. Known for his eccentric vocal style and fashion, he is considered an influential figure in modern hip-hop and trap music, and a…
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1991
Godfrey Oboabona
Godfrey Oboabona
Nigerian footballer
Godfrey Itama Oboabona is a Nigerian former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
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1990
Cedric Alexander
Cedric Alexander
American wrestler
Cedric Alexander Johnson is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he is a member of The System. He also performs on the independent circuit. He is also known for…
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1989
Wang Hao
Wang Hao
Chinese race walker
Wang Hao is a Chinese race walker.
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1989
Moussa Sissoko
Moussa Sissoko
French footballer
Moussa Sissoko is a French professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Greek Super League club Panathinaikos. He is a box-to-box midfielder in the centre of the pitch, and is capable of playing as a defensive…
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1989
Ismaïl Aissati
Ismaïl Aissati
Moroccan footballer
Ismaïl Aissati is a Moroccan former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
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1988
Ryan Kerrigan
Ryan Kerrigan
American football player
Patrick Ryan Kerrigan is an American professional football coach and former player. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers, earning unanimous All-American honors as a senior before being selected by the…
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1988
Rumer Willis
Rumer Willis
American actress
Rumer Glenn Willis is an American actress. The eldest daughter of actors Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, she made her acting debut opposite her mother in the coming-of-age drama Now and Then (1995). She subsequently…
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1988
Carey Price
Carey Price
Canadian ice hockey player
Carey Price is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played 15 seasons for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). Considered one of the best goaltenders in the world during his…
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1987
Eri Kitamura
Eri Kitamura
Japanese voice actress and singer.
Eri Kitamura is a Japanese voice-actress and singer. She was previously affiliated with Early Wing, but is now a freelancer. She is known for voicing prominent roles in anime and games such as Sayaka Miki in Puella…
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1987
Yu Darvish
Yu Darvish
Japanese baseball player
Farid Yu Darvish Sefat , more commonly known as Yu Darvish, is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Texas Rangers, Los…
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1986
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Died on August 16

20 people 2012 – 2023
Howard S. Becker
Howard S. Becker
American sociologist (born 1928)
Howard Saul Becker was an American sociologist who taught at Northwestern University. Becker made contributions to the sociology of deviance, sociology of art, and sociology of music. Becker also wrote extensively on…
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2023
Sean Lock
Sean Lock
English comedian and actor (born 1963)
Sean Lock was an English comedian and actor. He began his comedy career as a stand-up comedian. In 2000, Lock won the British Comedy Award, in the category of Best Live Comic, and was nominated for the Perrier Comedy…
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2021
Peter Fonda
Peter Fonda
American actor, director, and screenwriter. (born 1940)
Peter Henry Fonda was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. He was twice an Academy Award nominee, both for acting and screenwriting, and a two-time Golden Globe Award winner for his acting. He was a…
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2019
Richard Williams
Richard Williams
Canadian-British animator (born 1933)
Richard Edmund Williams was a Canadian and British animator, voice actor, and painter. A three-time Academy Award winner, he is best known as the animation director of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)—for which he won two…
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2019
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
American singer-songwriter (born 1942)
Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Regarded as the "Queen of Soul", she was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time.
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2018
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Indian poet and 12th Prime Minister of India (born 1924)
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was an Indian poet, writer and statesman who served as the prime minister of India, first for a term of 13 days in 1996, then for 6 years from 1998 to 2004. He was the first non-Congress prime…
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2018
Wakako Yamauchi
American-Japanese writer (born 1924)
Wakako Yamauchi was a Japanese American playwright and short story writer. Her plays are considered pioneering works in Asian-American theater.
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2018
João Havelange
João Havelange
Brazilian water polo player, lawyer, and businessman (born 1916)
Jean-Marie Faustin Godefroid "João" de Havelange was a Brazilian lawyer, businessman, and athlete who was the seventh president of FIFA from 1974 to 1998. His tenure as president is the second longest in FIFA's history,…
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2016
John McLaughlin
John McLaughlin
American television personality (born 1927)
John Joseph McLaughlin (; was an American television personality and political commentator. He created, produced, and hosted the political commentary series The McLaughlin Group from 1982 to 2016, and hosted and…
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2016
Jacob Bekenstein
Jacob Bekenstein
Mexican-American physicist, astronomer, and academic (born 1947)
Jacob David Bekenstein was a Mexican-born American-Israeli theoretical physicist who made fundamental contributions to the foundation of black hole thermodynamics and to other aspects of the connections between…
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2015
Anna Kashfi
Anna Kashfi
British actress (born 1934)
Anna Kashfi was an Anglo-Indian actress who had a brief Hollywood career in the 1950s but was better known for her tumultuous marriage to film star Marlon Brando and the controversies surrounding their son.
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2015
Shuja Khanzada
Shuja Khanzada
Pakistani colonel and politician (born 1943)
Shuja Khanzada was a Pakistani politician and retired army colonel, who was serving as the Home Minister of Punjab from 2014 until his assassination on 16 August 2015.
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2015
Mile Mrkšić
Mile Mrkšić
Serb general (born 1947)
Mile Mrkšić was a colonel of the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) in charge of the unit involved in the Battle of Vukovar during the Croatian War of Independence in 1991. He was convicted for not preventing the mass killing…
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2015
Patrick Aziza
Nigerian general and politician, Governor of Kebbi State (born 1947)
Patrick Aziza was the first military Governor of Kebbi State, Nigeria after it was split off from Sokoto State on 27 August 1991 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
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2014
Vsevolod Nestayko
Ukrainian author (born 1930)
Vsevolod Zinoviiovych Nestaiko or Nestayko was a modern Ukrainian children's writer. In Ukraine he is considered the country's best-known and best loved Ukrainian children’s literature writer.
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2014
Mario Oriani-Ambrosini
Italian-South African lawyer and politician (born 1960)
Mario Gaspare R. Oriani-Ambrosini was an Italian constitutional lawyer and politician who was a Member of Parliament in South Africa with the Inkatha Freedom Party.
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2014
Peter Scholl-Latour
Peter Scholl-Latour
German journalist, author, and academic (born 1924)
Peter Roman Scholl-Latour was a French-German journalist, author and reporter. Scholl-Latour was regarded as one of Europe's most important journalists, akin to what Walter Cronkite was in the US. For over six decades,…
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2014
David Rees
David Rees
Welsh mathematician and academic (born 1918)
David Rees FRS was a British professor of pure mathematics at the University of Exeter, having been head of the Mathematics / Mathematical Sciences Department at Exeter from 1958 to 1983. During the Second World War,…
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2013
Princess Lalla Amina of Morocco (born 1954)
Princess Lalla Amina was a member of the Moroccan royal family and former President of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Equestrian Sports.
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2012
Martine Franck
Martine Franck
Belgian photographer and director (born 1938)
Martine Franck was a British-Belgian documentary and portrait photographer. She was a member of Magnum Photos for more than 32 years. Franck was the second wife of Henri Cartier-Bresson and co-founder and president of…
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2012
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More questions about August 16

What happened on August 16?

A featured event on this date is 2020: The August Complex fire in California burns more than one million acres of land. This page also lists 65 events from other years on the same day.

Why is August 16 remembered in history?

August 16 brings together events, births, and deaths across many eras, which makes it useful for seeing how one calendar date connects different historical turning points.

Who was born on August 16?

Notable birthdays on this date include Jannik Sinner, Karen Chen, Greyson Chance.

See birthdays

Who died on August 16?

Notable deaths on this date include Howard S. Becker, Sean Lock, Peter Fonda.

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Short answer

What happened on August 16 in history?

On August 16, one notable event in history was 2020: The August Complex fire in California burns more than one million acres of land..

This date currently highlights 65 recorded events on thisDay.info, spanning 1 BC – 2020.

DateAugust 16
Featured year2020
LocationCalifornia burns more than one million acres of land
Events listed65

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