August 16th is Tell A Joke Day as well as Rollercoaster Day.
We’d like to welcome you to the 229th day of the year, with only 137 days remaining in 2024.
This day in history was a particularly important one, not only that, but a fascinating one too! Here you’ll find historical events that made August 16 such an interesting day in history.
Did you know that on this day in 1930, the world’s first colored cartoon with synchronized sound was released? It was six minutes long and featured a character called Flip the Frog.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about August 16th in history!
Events
What memorable events happened on August 16 in history? Keep reading to find out!
2019
More than 1,200 tin homes were destroyed after a fire broke out in the Chalantika slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Ten thousand people were left homeless, and the blaze took firefighters over six hours to extinguish.
2018
Over 566 wildfires swept through British Columbia in Canada, which led to a State of Emergency, and 3,000 people were evacuated.
2016
Georgian heavyweight-lifting champion Lasha Talakhadze smashed a world record by lifting an incredible 473 kg.
This was 22 kg more than the first runner-up Gor Minasyan.
2012
Julian Assange, who founded WikiLeaks, was given political asylum by Ecuador.
Assange had been hiding out at the Ecuadorian Embassy in Knightsbridge, London.
2008
Michael Phelps won the 100-meter butterfly swim in a record 50:58 at the Beijing Olympic finals.
1858
Queen Victoria of Britain sent the first-ever transatlantic telegraph to US President James Buchanan.
The cable was laid between Ireland and Newfoundland and allowed the two countries to communicate by telegraph, which was innovative at the time. The Queen’s message expressed her joy for the two countries being connected and the hopes for continued friendship.
Famous Births
Are you celebrating your birthday today? If so, did you know that you share the same birthday as Madonna? See what other famous people were born on this day.
1958
Madonna
American
Singer
Age:
66 years old
Born In:
Michigan, USA
1962
Steve Carell
American
Actor
Age:
62 years old
Born In:
Massachusetts, USA
1991
Evanna Lynch
Irish
Actress
Age:
33 years old
Born In:
Termonfeckin, Ireland
1958
Angela Bassett
American
Actress
Age:
66 years old
Born In:
New York, USA
Famous Deaths
Unfortunately, August 16th has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…
1935
1977
Elvis Presley
American
Rock Singer
1935
1977
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was an American rock singer born on January 8, 1935. He died on this day in 1977, at age 42 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA.
Died On:
Aug 16, 1977 (Age 42)
Died In:
Tennessee, USA
Quotes
Every day brings a new quote – here are the most renowned quotes spoken or written on August 16th in history.
1839
Man is a mystery. One must solve it. If you spend your entire life trying to puzzle it out, then do not say that you have wasted your time. I occupy myself with this mystery, because I want to be a man.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Russian Novelist
Special Holidays
If you can spare some time today, here are some unique holidays you could get involved with.
National Tell A Joke Day
Why did the bike fall over? It was two-tired! We know that was possibly the worst joke ever, but the best way to celebrate Tell A Joke Day today is to share a joke or two with friends. While a handmade joke can be absolutely hilarious, don’t be ashamed to look some up online!
National Rollercoaster Day
Life is like a rollercoaster; it has so many ups and downs that throw you around. So whether you’re feeling up or feeling down, why not take yourself out for a spin on your local theme park’s rollercoaster? Take the whole family even; it’s sure to be a blast!
THe Fact Site’s
Fun Fact Of The Day
Arizona driver’s licenses don’t expire until you’re 65. You then have to renew in person every five years.
Birthday & Zodiac
For those of you who were born on August 16, your zodiac sign is Leo.
Leos tend to be energetic and lead a busy life. They’re ambitious, creative, and optimistic and can use their minds to solve complex problems.
For those of you born in August, you have the Peridot birthstone. In 2018, the Kīlauea volcano on Hawaii’s biggest island saw increased activity, which led to a rare geological event, where Olivine (also known as peridot when at gem quality) was found on the ground around the volcano. In Hawaiian culture, peridots are thought to be the tears of the volcano goddess Pele.
If your birthday falls on this day, you would’ve likely been conceived around November 23rd in the previous year.
A baby conceived on August 16th, 2024, will likely be due around May 9th, 2025.
