October 16 in History
October 16 is the birthday of Willian Pacho (2001) and the anniversary of the death of Ollie Olsen (2024). Below are famous birthdays, deaths, events for October 16, plus editor's picks and genealogy records.
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Gian Galeazzo Visconti, first Duke of Milan was born in 1351, while Fu Jian, Chinese emperor died in 385.
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Famous people born on October 16
Famous people who died on October 16
2024
Ollie Olsen (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Australian musician, composer and sound designer (1958–2024)
2023
Martti Ahtisaari (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Finnish politician and diplomat, President of Finland (1937–2023)
2017
Daphne Caruana Galizia (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Maltese journalist and blogger (1964–2017)
2017
Sean Hughes (comedian) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Irish-British comedian, writer and actor (1965–2017)
2015
William James (Australian general) (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Soldier and military doctor (1930–2015)
2014
Seppo Kuusela (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
Finnish basketball player/coach and handball player
2014
John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (Wikipedia, opens in a new tab)
British peer (1926–2014)
What happened on October 16
- 2017
Storm Ophelia strikes the U.K. and Ireland causing major damage and power loss.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2013
Lao Airlines Flight 301 crashes on approach to Pakse International Airport in Laos, killing 49 people.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 2002
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina opens in Egypt, commemorating the ancient library of Alexandria.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1999
The magnitude 7.1 Hector Mine earthquake strikes Southern California
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1998
Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet is arrested in London on a murder extradition warrant.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1996
Eighty-four football fans die and 180 are injured in a massive crush at a match in Guatemala City.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
The Million Man March takes place in Washington, D.C. About 837,000 attend.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1995
The Skye Bridge in Scotland is opened.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1991
George Hennard runs amok in Killeen, Texas, killing 23 and wounding 20.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1984
Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1978
Cardinal Karol Wojtyła is elected to the papacy as Pope John Paul II, he becomes the first non-Italian pontiff since 1523.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
Indonesian troops kill the Balibo Five, a group of Australian journalists, in Portuguese Timor.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
Three-year-old Rahima Banu, from Bangladesh, is the last known case of naturally occurring smallpox.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1975
The Australian Coalition sparks a constitutional crisis when they vote to defer funding for the government's annual budget.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab) - 1973
Henry Kissinger and Lê Đức Thọ are awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Wikipedia source (opens in a new tab)
Births, deaths and events from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab).
Editor's picks
Born on October 16
- 1351 — Gian Galeazzo Visconti, first Duke of Milan (died 1402)
- 1396 — William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, English admiral (died 1450)
- 1430 — James II of Scotland (died 1460)
Died on October 16
- 385 — Fu Jian, Chinese emperor (born 337)
- 786 — Lullus, archbishop of Mainz (born 710)
- 976 — Al-Hakam II, Umayyad caliph (born 915)
Source: Wikipedia historical listings for October 16
Quick answers
Who was born on October 16? Willian Pacho (2001), Aaron Nesmith (1999), Nicolò Bulega (1999).
Who died on October 16? Ollie Olsen (2024), Liam Payne (2024), Yahya Sinwar (2024).
Explore genealogy records
Researching someone born in October? Search birth records
Live genealogy events
This calendar is live and has its own date controls; it is separate from the October 16 historical article above.
Ancestry
Holiday Sale: 65% off AncestryDNA. Offer ends 11/19. Terms apply.
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Ancestry
AncestryDNA® with Traits
Ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.