CalEvents:Apr/Apr 16
From Sankofapedia
Notable events for April 16
Date
Event
Significance
April 16, 1862
Compensated Emancipation Act signed, ending slavery in Washington, D.C.
On this day, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act, which abolished slavery in Washington, D.C. This was a key milestone in the abolitionist movement and an important precursor to the nationwide abolition of slavery through the 13th Amendment.
April 16, 1963
Martin Luther King Jr. writes "Letter from Birmingham Jail"
On this day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham Jail," in which he defended the strategy of nonviolent resistance to racism and segregation. His letter became a foundational text for the Civil Rights Movement, outlining the moral imperative for civil disobedience against unjust laws.
April 16, 1971
Sierra Leone becomes a republic
On this day, Sierra Leone became a republic, with Siaka Stevens serving as its first president. This marked the end of the country's association with the British monarchy and a step toward greater political independence, although Sierra Leone would face challenges with governance and internal conflict in the years that followed.
April 16, 1994
Rwandan Genocide continues with mass killings
On this day, the Rwandan Genocide, which began in early April, continued with widespread mass killings of Tutsis and moderate Hutus by Hutu extremists. The genocide would result in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people, one of the worst atrocities in modern African history.
April 16, 2012
Jacob Zuma survives impeachment vote in South Africa
On this day, South African President Jacob Zuma survived an impeachment vote in parliament following accusations of corruption and mismanagement. The vote highlighted the growing discontent with Zuma’s leadership and set the stage for increased political tensions in the years leading up to his eventual resignation in 2018.
April 16, 2014
International outrage grows over Boko Haram's kidnapping of Chibok schoolgirls
On this day, international outrage continued to grow over the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram militants in Chibok, Nigeria, on April 14, 2014. The event drew global attention to the terrorist group and sparked the #BringBackOurGirls campaign, aimed at pressuring governments to rescue the girls and address Boko Haram’s insurgency.
April 16, 2019
Sudanese protests continue after the removal of Omar al-Bashir
On this day, protests continued in Sudan after the ousting of President Omar al-Bashir. Demonstrators demanded a civilian-led transitional government, seeking an end to decades of military and authoritarian rule, and marking a turning point in Sudanese political history.