History

Today in History – January 16

World History

1547 – Ivan the Terrible Crowned First Tsar of Russia
Centralized Russian power and reshaped Eastern European history.

1912 – Scott Expedition Reaches South Pole
A milestone in human exploration and scientific discovery.

2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia Launches (Final Mission)
Preceded a tragic disaster that reshaped space safety protocols.

U.S. History

1865 – Union General Sherman Issues Field Order No. 15
Promised land to formerly enslaved people, shaping Reconstruction debates.

1919 – 18th Amendment Ratified, Establishing Prohibition
Banned the manufacture and sale of alcohol nationwide, profoundly shaping American society, law enforcement, and constitutional history for more than a decade.

1991 – Operation Desert Storm Begins
Marked a new era of U.S. military strategy and global intervention.