We take a look at some of the events that occurred on April 16th.

Today In …

73 - The Jewish stronghold at Masada fell to Roman forces.

1862 - Slavery became illegal in Washington D.C.

1881 - The legendary Bat Masterson fought his last shootout in Dodge City, Kansas.

1917 - Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia after being exiled in Finland.

2007 - One of America’s deadliest shootings occurred at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Sharing A Birthday Today…

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar the legendary basketball player was born in 1947.

Ellen Barkin who starred in “Drop Dead Gorgeous”, “The Fan”, “Into the West” and “Ocean’s 13” was born in 1954.

Bill Belichick the coach of the NFL’s New England Patriots was born in 1952.

Peter Billingsley best known as Ralphie from the holiday favorite “A Christmas Story” and “The Break-Up” was born in 1971. (See A Christmas Story and The Break-Up movie mistakes.)

Charlie Chaplin who was immortalized as his character “The Tramp” and starred in numerous films including “City Lights” was born in 1889.

Jon Cryer who starred in “Pretty in Pink” and on TV’s “Two and a Half Men” was born in 1965.

Lukas Haas who starred in “Witness” and on TV’s “24” was born in 1976.

Martin Lawrence the actor/comedian who starred in “Bad Boys” and “Big Momma’s House” was born in 1965

Sean Maher who starred on TV’s “Firefly” was born in 1975.

Henry Mancini the award winning composer of such songs as “Moon River” was born in 1924.

Gerardo Mejia a.k.a. Gerardo who had a hit song with “Rico Suave” was born in 1965.

Jimmy Osmond a member of music’s The Osmonds was born in 1963.

Dave Pirner the front man for the rock band Soul Asylum was born in 1964.

Pope Benedict XVI was born in 1927.

Selena Quintanilla-Perez a.k.a. Selena the famed Tejano singer was born in 1971.

Gerry Rafferty the singer/songwriter of such songs as “Baker Street” and “Stuck in the Middle with You” was born in 1947.

Dusty Springfield the songstress behind the song “Son of a Preacher Man” was born in 1939.

Peter Ustinov the Oscar winning actor of “Spartacus” was born in 1921.

Bobby Vinton the singer of “Blue Velvet” was born in 1935.

Garth Williams the famed illustrator of such books as “Charlotte’s Web” was born in 1912.

Wilbur Wright, who, with his brother Orville, became pioneers in the world of aviation, was born in 1867.

We Said Goodbye To…

Scott Brady who appeared in “Gremlins” and on TV’s “Police Story” passed away in 1985 at the age of 60.

Ralph Waldo Ellison author of the “Invisible Man” passed away in 1994 at the age of 81.

David Lean the man behind the camera of the classic films “Dr. Zhivago” and “Lawrence of Arabia” passed away in 1991 at the age of 83.

Bernadette Soubirous, who was canonized in 1933, passed away in 1879 at the age of 35.

Robert Urich who starred on TV’s “Spenser: For Hire” and “Vega$” passed away in 2002 at the age of 55.

Top Of The Charts On This Day In…

1977 - “Don’t Give Up On Us” by David Soul
1977 - On The Country Charts - "It Couldn't Have Been Any Better" by Johnny Duncan
1983 - On The Country Charts - "Dixie Land Delight" by Alabama
1994 - “Bump N’ Grind” by R Kelly

Special Observances

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day

Don’t forget about the Today In History Newsletter!