🗞️Today’s Headlines

Everything important that’s ever happened on January 16:

2006 — Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was sworn in as president of Liberia and became the first female head of state in Africa.

1992 — The Salvadoran Civil War ended after 12 years with the signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accords in Mexico City.

1883 — The Pendleton Civil Service Act established the United States Civil Service Commission, reforming federal employment practices.

1556 — Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain, renounced his claim to the Spanish throne, beginning his abdication.

1547 — Ivan the Terrible was crowned “tsar and grand prince of all Russia,” marking the beginning of the Russian Tsardom.

🎂 Today’s Birthdays

On January 16, we’re singing to:

Fulgencio Batista (1901) — Cuban dictator who ruled during two nonconsecutive terms and heavily influenced the country’s political and economic trajectory.

Sade (1959) — British singer known for her smooth, soulful voice and iconic hits like “Smooth Operator” and “By Your Side.”

Kate Moss (1974) — British model and fashion icon who redefined beauty standards and became a global face of the 1990s fashion industry.

Lin-Manuel Miranda (1980) — Actor, composer, lyricist, and writer celebrated for his groundbreaking musicals Hamilton and In the Heights. 

 🪦Who Died Today?

On January 16, we’re saying goodbye to:

Edward Gibbon (1794) — British historian best known for his monumental work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, which remains a cornerstone of historical scholarship.

Phil Spector (2021) — Record producer who revolutionized music with his “Wall of Sound” technique and produced hits for iconic artists like The Ronettes and The Beatles but experienced an epic fall from grace with his conviction for murder.

How Am I Doing?