Together 2016

Together 2016 was an ecumenical Christian event held at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/07/15/thousands-christians-gather-national-mall-together-2016/87146256/|title=Thousands of Christians to gather on National Mall for 'Together 2016'|last=Burke|first=Michael|date=15 July 2016|publisher=USA Today|language=English|accessdate=16 July 2016|quote=Thousands of Christians will flock to the National Mall for the event, which Hall said is being targeted toward Millennials.}} on July 16, 2016. The event was scheduled to feature over 40 speakers,{{cite web|url=http://catholicphilly.com/2016/07/news/national-news/together-2016-aims-to-draw-1-million-people-of-faith-to-national-mall/|title=‘Together 2016’ aims to draw 1 million people of faith to National Mall|last=Franco-Guzman|first=Ana|date=8 July 2016|publisher=Catholic News Service|language=English|accessdate=17 July 2016|quote=The event will have 40 or more speakers, including Francis Chan, Josh Brewer and Hall, as well as recording artists, authors and leaders from different faith backgrounds.}} including Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, who made a video address to the attendees of the event.{{cite web|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/pope-francis-joins-lecrae-hillsong-historic-1-million-strong-together-2016-dc-event-164925/|title=Pope Francis Joins Lecrae, Hillsong at Historic 1 Million-Strong 'Together 2016' DC Event|last=Law|first=Jeannie|date=7 June 2016|publisher=The Christian Post|language=English|accessdate=16 July 2016|quote=Adding his name to the lineup of pomenant guest speakers and musicians is Pope Francis, who will deliver a video message addressing the crowd.}} Other prominent speakers included the Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias and evangelist Samuel Rodriguez, as well as musicians Lecrae and Hillsong United. The event is the largest Christian event in the history of the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-cummins/together-2016-to-unite-am_b_10623250.html|title=Together 2016 to Unite Americans on National Mall for Historic Event|last=Cummins|first=Amy|date=23 June 2016|publisher=The Huffington Post|language=English|accessdate=17 July 2016|quote=If successful, Together 2016 will become the largest Christian gathering in American history.}}{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jul/5/together-2016-aims-to-unify-1-million-christians-i/|title=Together 2016 aims to unify 1 million Christians in prayer on National Mall|last=Patton|first=Emma|date=5 July 2016|publisher=The Washington Times|language=English|accessdate=17 July 2016|quote=The T-shirt is paraphernalia for an event called Together 2016, which aims to be one of the biggest gatherings of Christians in American history. The goal of Together 2016 is to get 1 million Christians to journey to the National Mall on July 16 for a day of unifying prayer. Nick Hall, the founder of the movement, hopes to unite people of all kinds.}} The organizer of the event Nick Hall, stated that "We believe it’s time to lift up a message of hope. There’s all kinds of division, so we’re praying for healing and we’re praying for change".{{citation needed|date=August 2019}}

Although the event was originally scheduled to conclude at 9 p.m., it ended at 4 p.m. due to excessive heat. Officers reportedly responded to 350 medical calls for heat-related injuries. The large number of people who lost consciousness because of heat syncope overwhelmed emergency medical technicians.(1) {{cite news|first1=Julie|last1=Zauzmer|first2=Kirkland|last2=An|first3=Michelle|last3=Boorstein|date=July 16, 2016|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/07/16/major-evangelical-revival-aims-to-uplift-traditional-christians-with-rap-rock-and-prayer/|title='God break racism!' Evangelicals on D.C. Mall pray for hope and reconciliation|work=Acts of Faith|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=July 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718232826/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/07/16/major-evangelical-revival-aims-to-uplift-traditional-christians-with-rap-rock-and-prayer/|url-status=live}}.
(2) {{cite web|first=Dick|date=July 16, 2016|last=Uliano|title=Together 2016 shut down early due to heat|url=https://wtop.com/dc/2016/07/police-together-2016-event-shut-down-early-due-to-heat/|work=Washington, DC, News|publisher=WTOP News|access-date=August 27, 2020|archive-date=August 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200805142437/https://wtop.com/dc/2016/07/police-together-2016-event-shut-down-early-due-to-heat/|url-status=live}}.