What happened in 1916
33 entries recorded for 1916, listed by date. That was 110 years ago.
1916 at a glance
- Years ago
- 110 (as of 2026)
- Century
- 20th century
- Decade
- 1910s
- Generation born
- Greatest Generation
- Entries here
- 33
- Breakdown
- 33 historical events
January
- January 12
Oswald Boelcke
Oswald Boelcke and Max Immelmann became the first German aviators to be awarded the Pour le Mérite, Germany's highest military honour.
- January 13
First Feminist Congress of Yucatán
The first Feminist Congress of Yucatán (delegates pictured) began in Mérida, Mexico, to propose reforms for women's social, educational, and legal rights.
- January 28
Manitoba
The province of Manitoba passed a law that first granted some Canadian women the right to vote.
February
- February 14
World War I
World War I: Britain, France and Russia made the Declaration of Sainte-Adresse, stating that they would refuse to sign any peace treaty with the Central Powers that failed to ensure the political and economic independence of Belgium.
March
- March 10
McMahon–Hussein correspondence
The final letter in the McMahon–Hussein Correspondence was written, agreeing that Britain would recognise Arab independence in return for the Sharif of Mecca launching a revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
- March 15
Pancho Villa
Six days after Pancho Villa and his cross-border raiders attacked Columbus, New Mexico, U.S. general John J. Pershing led a punitive expedition into Mexico to pursue him.
April
- April 24
Irish republicanism
Irish republicans led by Patrick Pearse began the Easter Rising against British rule in Ireland, and proclaimed the Irish Republic an independent state.
- April 25
Irish War News
The first issue of Irish War News was published in Ireland.
May
- May 15
Lynching of Jesse Washington
Jesse Washington, a teenage African-American farmhand, was lynched in Waco, Texas.
June
- June 10
Hussein, King of Hejaz
Hussein, King of Hejaz, orchestrated a revolt against the Ottoman Empire with the aim of creating a single unified and independent Arab state.
- June 13
World War I
World War I: The Battle of Mont Sorrel in the Ypres Salient came to an end as a Canadian assault led German forces to withdraw to their original lines.
- June 28
World War I
First World War: Around 55,000 workers in Berlin went on strike to protest against the trial of anti-war campaigner Karl Liebknecht.
July
- July 1
World War I
First World War: The first day of the Battle of Albert, the opening phase of the Battle of the Somme, became the bloodiest day in the British Army's history, with 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 deaths.
- July 6
World War I
First World War: Russian troops won a victory in the Battle of Kostiuchnówka, with the Polish Legions playing a key role on the Austro-Hungarian side.
- July 12
World War I
First World War: Second Lieutenant Kléber Dupuy defeated a German attack on Fort Souville at a key moment of the Battle of Verdun.
- July 14
Battle of Delville Wood
The Battle of Delville Wood began as an action within the Battle of the Somme, lasting until 3 September 1916.
- July 16
Max Reger
Max Reger's Hebbel Requiem was first performed in a memorial concert for the composer, conducted by Philipp Wolfrum.
- July 19
World War I
First World War: The "worst 24 hours in Australia's entire history" occurred when Australian forces unsuccessfully attacked German defences at Fromelles, France.
- July 27
World War I
First World War: British mariner Charles Fryatt was executed in Bruges, Belgium, after a German court-martial found him guilty of being a franc-tireur.
- July 30
World War I
World War I: German agents sabotaged U.S.-made munitions in New York Harbor that were to be supplied to the Allies.
August
- August 2
Austria-Hungary
An explosion, blamed on Austro-Hungarian saboteurs, sank the Italian dreadnought Leonardo da Vinci.
- August 5
World War I
First World War: The British Empire's Sinai and Palestine campaign began with a victory at the Battle of Romani.
- August 28
Blargies prison camp
A confrontation at Blargies prison camp in France led to a charge of mutiny for New Zealand private John Braithwaite, for which he was later executed.
- August 29
United States Congress
Congress passed the Philippine Autonomy Act, the first formal and official declaration of the U.S.'s commitment to grant independence to the Philippines.
September
- September 6
Grocery store
The first self-service grocery store, Piggly Wiggly, was founded in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
- September 7
World War I
World War I: The Supreme War Command was established to oversee the armed forces of all the Central Powers.
- September 27
Lij Iyasu
Lij Iyasu (pictured), the emperor-designate of Ethiopia, was deposed in favor of his aunt Zewditu.
October
- October 7
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland University 222–0 in the most lopsided college football game in American history.
- October 16
Margaret Sanger
Margaret Sanger (pictured) established the United States' first family planning clinic in Brooklyn, New York.
November
- November 5
Everett massacre
An armed confrontation in Everett, Washington, between local authorities and members of the Industrial Workers of the World resulted in seven deaths.
- November 7
1916 United States House of Representatives elections
In the congressional elections, Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to the United States House of Representatives.
December
- December 23
World War I
First World War: Allied forces gained a strategic victory at the Battle of Magdhaba on the Sinai Peninsula.
- December 28
1916–1917 northern Minnesota lumber strike
Up to 1,000 lumber workers initiated a labor strike against the Virginia and Rainy Lake Lumber Company in Minnesota, United States, which lasted over a month.
Questions about 1916
What happened in 1916?
This site records 33 entries for 1916, including Oswald Boelcke on January 12. They are listed below by date.
How long ago was 1916?
110 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1916 turns 110 this year.
Which century is 1916 in?
1916 falls in the 20th century, in the 1910s.
Which generation was born in 1916?
Greatest Generation (1901–1927). Grew up in the Depression and fought in the Second World War.
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