16 March has witnessed moments that altered the course of nations, rewrote political boundaries and created landmarks that still echo today. From ancient sieges to modern sporting history, the date carries a remarkable range of events across continents and centuries. Here is a chronological look at ten of them.
Babylonians Capture Jerusalem – 597 BC
In 597 BC, the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II captured Jerusalem following a prolonged siege. King Jehoiachin surrendered and was deposed, with Zedekiah installed as a puppet ruler in his place. The fall of the city marked a turning point in Jewish history and set the stage for the destruction of the First Temple a decade later.
A Native American Walks Into Plymouth – 1621
On 16 March 1621, Samoset, an Abenaki leader, walked into Plymouth Colony and greeted the Pilgrims in English. It was the first formal contact between the settlers and a Native American. His visit led directly to a meeting with Massasoit of the Wampanoag, which produced a peace treaty that shaped early colonial relations.
Sweden’s King Gustav III Shot at the Opera – 1792
At a masked ball at the Royal Opera House in Stockholm, King Gustav III was shot by Count Jacob Johan Anckarström. The assassination was politically motivated – Gustav had centralised power and accumulated powerful enemies within the Swedish nobility. He died from his wounds on 29 March 1792, thirteen days after being shot.
Texas Ratifies Its Constitution – 1836
The Republic of Texas ratified its constitution on 16 March 1836, formalising its break from Mexico. The document legalised slavery, a decision that defined Texas politics for decades and deepened the fault lines between the young republic and the northern United States as annexation discussions gathered pace.
Arizona Territory Votes to Leave the Union – 1861
On this day in 1861, the Arizona Territory voted to secede and align with the Confederacy. Its proximity to Confederate-held Texas made the decision predictable. Union forces would later retake the territory, but the vote showed that the Civil War’s reach extended far beyond the eastern theatre.
Hiram Revels Delivers Historic Senate Speech – 1870
Hiram R. Revels became the first African American to deliver an official address in the United States Senate on 16 March 1870. A minister and educator from Mississippi, Revels had taken the seat once held by Jefferson Davis. His speech drew considerable attention and was widely reported across the country.
Britain Signs Trade Deal With the USSR – 1921
Britain and the Soviet Union formalised a trade agreement on 16 March 1921. The United States had declined a similar deal that same month. London’s decision was largely pragmatic, though it drew criticism from those who opposed any arrangement that lent credibility to the Bolshevik government.
Egypt and Britain – 1922
Egypt achieved formal independence from Britain on 16 March 1922. British troops stayed, and London retained significant influence over key affairs. Independence was real but limited.
Hitler Defies Versailles on Rearmament – 1935
Adolf Hitler announced the reintroduction of military conscription on 16 March 1935, in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Britain and France expressed alarm but took no meaningful action. The episode emboldened Hitler and accelerated Germany’s military build-up in the years that followed.
Tendulkar Becomes First to 100 International Centuries – 2012
On 16 March 2012, Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer in history to score 100 international centuries. The landmark came during a One Day International against Bangladesh in Mirpur. Tendulkar had been approaching the record for months, and the achievement remains one of cricket’s most celebrated milestones.
