December 16 in History

• 882

  December 16, 882:

  Marinus I is elected Pope of the Catholic Church following the death of John VIII.

• 1631

  December 16, 1631:

  Mount Vesuvius erupts, killing over 3,000 people.

• 1773

  December 16, 1773:

  American colonists throw 342 chests of tea owned by the British East India Company into the Boston Harbour to protest tea tax while disguised as Mohawk Indians.

• 1893

  December 16, 1893:

  “New World Symphony” by Czech composer Antonín Dvořák premieres in New York City.

• 1944

  December 16, 1944:

  World War II’s Battle of the Bulge begins with an attempt by German forces to push through the Allied forces’ lines.

• 1966

  December 16, 1966:

  “Hey Joe” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience is released in the UK.

• 1967

  December 16, 1967:

  The French-Italian comedy film, “Playtime” is premiered in France.

• 2005

  December 16, 2005:

  Singers Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey’s divorce is finalized on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

• 2009

  December 16, 2009:

  The James Cameron-directed film, “Avatar” is released in theatres worldwide.

• 2014

  December 16, 2014:

  150 people, including 134 schoolchildren, die when the Taliban’s Pakistan branch, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan attacks a school in Peshawar.