What happened on July 16th?

Good morning!

July 16th is filled with significant historical events. One of the most somber moments occurred on this day in 1918, when the Romanov family was executed by the Bolsheviks in Russia. This brutal act marked the end of the Russian Imperial dynasty and a turning point in the Russian Revolution, forever altering the course of Russian history.

Here's what else happened on this day throughout history.

🔪 1918: Bolsheviks Executed the Romanov Family

On the night of July 16-17, 1918, the Romanov family, including Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, and their five children, was executed by Bolshevik forces in the basement of the Ipatiev House in Yekaterinburg, Russia. This marked the brutal end of over three centuries of Romanov rule and was a key moment in the Russian Revolution.

After Nicholas II abdicated the throne in March 1917, the Romanovs were placed under house arrest. Initially held in the Alexander Palace, they were later moved to Tobolsk in Siberia and then to Yekaterinburg as the political situation in Russia grew increasingly volatile. The Bolsheviks, fearing that the advancing White Army (anti-Bolshevik forces) might rescue the Romanovs, decided to eliminate the former tsar and his family to prevent them from becoming rallying symbols for the anti-Bolshevik cause.

Under the pretext of moving the family to a safer location, the Romanovs were awakened and led to the basement of the Ipatiev House. They were told to wait for a photograph to be taken, ostensibly for their safety. Suddenly, a squad of executioners entered the room, and the family was told they were to be executed. Before they could react, the executioners opened fire. Nicholas II was the first to die, followed by his wife, children, and the family's loyal servants who had accompanied them into captivity. 

Read all about the Russian Revolution in February Revolution: Causes, Location, and Outcome of the Russian Revolution.

⛪ 1054: Humbert of Silva Candida Excommunicated Michael Cerularius

Cardinal Humbert of Silva Candida placed a bull of excommunication on the altar of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, excommunicating Patriarch Michael Cerularius. This act led to mutual excommunication between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches, marking the formal beginning of the Great Schism, which split Christianity into Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

👑 1377: Richard II Was Officially Installed as King of England

Richard II, at the age of 10, was officially installed as King of England following the death of his grandfather, Edward III. Richard’s reign lasted from 1377 to 1399 and was marked by political unrest, including the Peasants' Revolt in 1381 and his eventual deposition by Henry IV. Richard II was one part of the long history of English monarchs. Read more in The Kings and Queens of England: English Monarchs Timeline from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

1790: Congress Declares Washington, D.C. as the New Capital

The United States Congress declared Washington, D.C., the nation’s new capital through the Residence Act. President George Washington chose the location along the Potomac River; the capital was moved there from Philadelphia in 1800.

💣 1945: The First Atomic Bomb Exploded near Alamogordo

The first atomic bomb codenamed "Trinity," was detonated in the desert near Alamogordo, New Mexico. The bomb had an explosive yield equivalent to approximately 20 kilotons of TNT. This test marked the beginning of the nuclear age and was a pivotal moment in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Read more about the first atomic bomb in Who Invented the Atomic Bomb? The History of the “Destroyer of Worlds”.

🛣️ 1965: The Mont Blanc Tunnel in France Officially Opened

The Mont Blanc Tunnel, spanning 11.6 kilometers (7.2 miles), officially opened, connecting Chamonix, France, with Courmayeur, Italy. The tunnel facilitates year-round transportation through the Alps and is one of the longest road tunnels in the world.

🚀 1969: Apollo 11 Departed from Earth to the Moon

Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the Moon, was launched from Kennedy Space Center. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins were aboard. The mission marked a significant achievement in space exploration.

1979: Saddam Hussein Became the President of Iraq

Saddam Hussein officially became the President of Iraq, succeeding President Ahmed Hassan al-Bakr. Hussein’s rule, which lasted until 2003, was marked by widespread human rights abuses, wars with neighboring countries, and significant political repression. Saddam Hussein’s life reflected the aberrant times that he lived in; read about his upbringing and downfall in Saddam Hussein: Life, Death, and Legacy.

📈 1995: Jeff Bezos Opened Amazon for Business

Amazon.com, founded by Jeff Bezos, opened for business as an online bookstore. Initially operating out of Bezos’s garage, the company quickly became the world’s largest online retailer, offering various products and services.

🪪 2002: President Bush Unveiled Strategy for Homeland Security

President George W. Bush unveiled the first comprehensive National Strategy for Homeland Security, outlining plans to protect the United States from terrorist attacks. The strategy included the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.

🌟 Born on This Day in History

1821: Mary Baker Eddy, US Religious Leader

Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Christian Science movement, published Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures in 1875. She established the Church of Christ, Scientist, in 1879, emphasizing spiritual healing and the power of prayer.

1862: Ida B. Wells-Barnett, US Journalist and Social Reformer

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was a prominent African American journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement. She was a founding member of the NAACP and campaigned against lynching through investigative journalism and activism.

💔 Died on This Day in History

1557: Anne of Cleves, Queen of England

Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII, lived a quiet life in England after their marriage was annulled. She was given a generous settlement and was referred to as the King’s Beloved Sister.

1882: Mary Todd Lincoln, First Lady of the United States

Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln and served as First Lady during the American Civil War. She faced significant personal tragedies, including the assassination of her husband and the loss of three of her four sons. Mary Todd Lincoln has been through it all, which adds greatly to her life. Learn more about her life in Mary Todd Lincoln: Life and Marriage to Abraham Lincoln. 

1997: Dora Maar, French Photographer and Painter

Dora Maar, born Henriette Theodora Markovitch, was a renowned French photographer and painter. She is best known for her surrealist works and her relationship with Pablo Picasso, who painted her in several portraits.

July 16th was quite a sad day in Russian history.. Stay tuned for more interesting moments and stories from the past!

Matt