Historical Events
Easter Proclamation of 1916
Easter Rising of Irish republicans against British occupation begins in Dublin
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Historic Expedition
Ernest Shackleton and five men of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition launch a lifeboat from uninhabited Elephant Island in the Southern Ocean to organise a rescue for ice-trapped ship Endurance
Ernest Shackleton
Famous Birthdays
- Lou Thesz, American professional wrestler, born in Banat, Michigan (d. 2002)
- Stanley Kauffmann, American playwright (Red Handkerchief Man), born in NYC, New York (d. 2013)
What Happened in 1916
SS Libau Sets Sail
The Libau, disguised as the Aud, to avoid British detection
April 9, 1916Battle of Jutland
HMS Invincible on fire after being struck by shells from SMS Lützow and SMS Derfflinger
May 31, 1916Battle of the Somme
A large mine placed by a British tunneling unit explodes under German positions on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. At the time it was one of the largest explosions ever and one of the loudest man-made noises.
July 1, 1916Five Miles of Mud Costs a Million Casualties
The Battle of the Somme, which began on this day, left one man dead every five seconds. It was one of the bloodiest conflicts in human history.
July 1, 1916
