This Day In History, August 16th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on August 16th
Gold is discovered in the Yukon in 1896 by George Carmack, his wife Kate, and her brother Skookum. Jim discovered gold in a creek in Canada's Yukon Territory, sparking the Klondike Gold Rush.
1954: The inaugural edition of Sports Illustrated magazine was published on August 16th, 1954, and featured baseball player Eddie Mathews on the cover.
Elvis Presley died in 1977. Elvis Presley, the legendary singer and cultural icon, died at the age of 42 at his home at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee.
1987: Northwest Airlines Flight 255 tragedy - A McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jet crashed shortly after departure from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 156 passengers on board as well as two on the ground.
Usain Bolt smashes world record - At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world mark in the men's 100 meters, finishing in 9.69 seconds.
1896: Gold discovered in the Yukon - George Carmack, his wife Kate, and her brother Skookum Jim found gold in a creek in the Yukon Territory of Canada, which led to the Klondike Gold Rush.
George Carmack, his wife Kate, and her brother Skookum Jim discovered gold in the Yukon Territory in 1896, sparking a tremendous gold rush that drove thousands of people to the area in pursuit of riches. The Klondike Gold Rush, as it was called, lasted from 1896 to 1899 and resulted in the development of several new cities and communities in the region, notably Dawson City, which swiftly developed to become the Yukon's largest municipality. The finding of gold in the Yukon Territory had a tremendous influence on Canadian and American history, as it resulted in the creation of new transportation routes and infrastructure, as well as the establishment of the Yukon Territory as an important hub for mining and resource exploitation.
1954: First issue of Sports Illustrated magazine - The first issue of Sports Illustrated was published on August 16th, 1954, featuring baseball player Eddie Mathews on the cover.
On August 16, 1954, the inaugural edition of Sports Illustrated magazine was released, with Milwaukee Braves baseball player Eddie Mathews on the cover. Henry Luce, co-founder of Time Inc., launched the magazine, which was meant to be a weekly journal covering sports news and events from across the world. Sports Illustrated has grown to be one of the world's most popular and important sports periodicals, noted for its in-depth reporting, smart commentary, and gorgeous photography. The magazine has covered many of sports history's major stories and events, including the Olympics, World Cup, and Super Bowl, and has featured some of the most memorable sportsmen on its covers.
1977: Elvis Presley dies - Legendary musician and cultural icon Elvis Presley died at his home in Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 42.
Elvis Presley, one of the twentieth century's most iconic and influential singers, died on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, at his home at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee. Presley was a cultural icon who popularized rock and roll music in the 1950s and 1960s, and he is now one of the best-selling and most famous performers of all time. His passing shocked the world, prompting an outpouring of sadness and condolences from admirers all around the world. Elvis Presley's music and legacy continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans to this day.
1987: Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crash - A McDonnell Douglas MD-82 airplane crashed shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 156 people, including two on the ground.
Northwest Airlines Flight 255 crashed soon after departure from Detroit Metropolitan Airport in Michigan, USA, on August 16, 1987. The plane, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, was on its way to Phoenix, Arizona, when it collided with a highway bridge, killing all 154 on board and two on the ground. The inability of the flight crew to correctly adjust the aircraft's takeoff flaps and slats led in a loss of lift and a stall shortly after takeoff, causing the disaster. The accident is still remembered as one of the deadliest aviation catastrophes in US history, and it resulted in substantial changes to aviation safety legislation and procedures.
2008: Usain Bolt breaks world record - Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world record in the men's 100 meters at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, finishing in 9.69 seconds.
At the Beijing Olympics on August 16, 2008, Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt broke the world record in the men's 100 meters. Bolt finished the race in 9.69 seconds, shattering the previous record of 9.72 seconds established by his compatriot Asafa Powell the year before. Bolt's gold medal in the 100 meters was the first of three he would win at the 2008 Olympics, and it helped establish him as one of the best sprinters of all time. Bolt went on to win eight Olympic gold medals and 11 world championship gold medals during his career, establishing multiple world records and becoming one of the world's most known and popular sportsmen.