Panda Day
National Panda Day is celebrated annually on March 16 to honor and raise awareness about one of the most iconic and beloved animals in the world—the giant panda. This day is all about recognizing the importance of panda conservation, celebrating the beauty of these gentle creatures, and supporting efforts to protect their natural habitat. The giant panda is native to China and has become a global symbol of wildlife conservation.
Everything You Do Is Right Day
Everything You Do Is Right Day is celebrated on March 16, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—a fun, lighthearted holiday where you’re encouraged to believe that everything you do today is going perfectly right. It’s a celebration of confidence, positivity, and maybe a little bit of wishful thinking.
March 16th has seen its fair share of significant, strange, and memorable events throughout history.
Historical Events:
455 AD – The Vandals sack Rome: The city of Rome was invaded by the Vandal king Genseric, marking another blow to the once-great Roman Empire.
1521 – Ferdinand Magellan reaches the Philippines: During his historic circumnavigation of the globe, Magellan arrived in the Philippines, where he would eventually meet his end.
1926 – Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fueled rocket: A groundbreaking moment in the history of space exploration. This 10-foot rocket flew for just 2.5 seconds but marked the beginning of modern rocketry.
1935 – Adolf Hitler announces German rearmament: In open defiance of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler announced the rebuilding of the German air force and conscription, a step toward World War II.
1968 – My Lai Massacre in Vietnam: One of the darkest chapters of the Vietnam War, where hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese civilians were killed by U.S. soldiers. The massacre was later covered up and only came to light in 1969.
1988 – Halabja chemical attack: Saddam Hussein’s forces used chemical weapons on the Kurdish city of Halabja in Iraq, killing thousands—one of the worst chemical attacks in history.
1995 – Mississippi ratifies the 13th Amendment (finally): While symbolic, Mississippi officially ratified the amendment abolishing slavery… 130 years late.
2001 – 911: The emergency number gets its own day: President George W. Bush proclaims March 16 as National 9-1-1 Education Day in the U.S.
Famous Birthdays:
James Madison (1751): 4th President of the United States and one of the key architects of the U.S. Constitution.
Jerry Lewis (1926): American comedian, actor, and philanthropist, known for his slapstick humor and charity work.
Erik Estrada (1949): Actor best known for his role as Ponch on CHiPs.
Lauren Graham (1967): Actress best known as Lorelai Gilmore from Gilmore Girls.
Notable Deaths
37 AD – Tiberius, Roman Emperor
The second emperor of Rome (after Augustus), Tiberius died on this day—possibly assassinated. His rule was marked by paranoia and political purges.
1190 – The Massacre at Clifford’s Tower, York, England
Around 150 Jews died, many by suicide, during a tragic antisemitic riot at Clifford’s Tower. Though not the death of a single person, it’s a significant and somber event in history.
1751 – Tomaso Albinoni, Italian composer
Known for his beautiful and haunting Adagio in G minor (though its true authorship is debated), Albinoni passed away in Venice.
1940 – Selma Lagerlöf, Swedish author
The first woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature (1909). She’s remembered for her books like The Wonderful Adventures of Nils.
1949 – William C. Durant, American businessman
Co-founder of General Motors and Chevrolet. He played a major role in shaping the U.S. auto industry.
1979 – Jean Monnet, French political economist
One of the founding fathers of the European Union. His vision laid the groundwork for modern European cooperation.
2005 – Ralph Erskine, British architect
Known for designing environmentally conscious buildings, especially in cold climates like Sweden.
2020 – Stuart Whitman, American actor
Star of many Westerns and TV shows, including The Comancheros and Cimarron Strip.
