2016

File:2016 Events Collage.png following the Turkish coup d'état attempt; the impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; damaged houses during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which killed over 2,000 people; the 2016 Summer Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil whilst the Zika virus was spreading; queues outside a bank to exchange demonetized banknotes during the Indian banknote demonetisation; the UK votes to leave the EU; the Girardet Bridge in Düsseldorf with its four Pokéstops; Donald Trump is elected U.S. president.|300x300px|thumb]]

2016 was designated as:

International Year of Pulses by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly.{{cite web|title=United Nations Observances: International Years|url=https://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-years/index.html|publisher=United Nations|access-date=April 29, 2015|ref=United Nations Observances: International Years|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508170503/http://www.un.org/en/sections/observances/international-years/index.html|archive-date=May 8, 2015|date=January 6, 2015}}
International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU) by the International Council for Science (ICSU), the International Social Science Council (ISSC), and the International Council for Philosophy and Human Sciences (CIPSH).{{cite web|title=2016 to be the International Year of Global Understanding (IYGU)|url=http://www.icsu.org/news-centre/news/top-news/2016-to-be-the-international-year-of-global-understanding-iygu|access-date=January 7, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105040359/http://www.icsu.org/news-centre/news/top-news/2016-to-be-the-international-year-of-global-understanding-iygu|archive-date=January 5, 2016}}

__TOC__

Events

= January =

January 3 – Following the fallout caused by the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, Saudi Arabia and several other countries end their diplomatic relations with Iran.{{cite tweet|user=AFP|author=AFP news agency|number=683742509407801346|date=January 3, 2016|title=#BREAKING Saudi Arabia severs ties with Iran, foreign minister says}}
January 8 – Joaquín Guzmán, widely regarded as the world's most powerful drug trafficker, is recaptured following his escape from a maximum-security prison in Mexico.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35275070|title='El Chapo': Sean Penn interviewed Guzman before recapture|date=2016-01-10|work=BBC News|access-date=2016-01-10|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110081340/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35275070|archive-date=January 10, 2016}}
January 10 – English singer, songwriter, musician, and actor David Bowie dies in his New York City apartment from liver cancer.{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Paul |title=A friend of David Bowie says the singer died from liver cancer |website=The Independent |date=2016-01-14 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/david-bowie-died-from-liver-cancer-he-kept-secret-from-all-but-handful-of-people-friend-says-a6806596.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112001315/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/david-bowie-died-from-liver-cancer-he-kept-secret-from-all-but-handful-of-people-friend-says-a6806596.html |archive-date=2016-01-12 |url-status=live |access-date=2024-06-13}}
January 12 – Ten people are killed and 15 wounded in a bombing near the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.{{Cite news |date=2016-01-12 |title=Turkey: 'IS suicide bomber' kills 10 in Istanbul Sultanahmet district |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35290760 |access-date=2025-04-27 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}
January 16
The International Atomic Energy Agency announces that Iran has adequately dismantled its nuclear weapons program, allowing the United Nations to lift sanctions immediately.{{cite news|title=Iran nuclear deal: 'New chapter' for Tehran as sanctions end|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35336707|date=2016-01-17|access-date=2016-01-17|work=BBC|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117063353/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35336707|archive-date=January 17, 2016}}
30 people are killed and 56 injured in terrorist attacks in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, targeting a hotel and a nearby restaurant. A siege occurs and 176 hostages are released afterwards, by government forces.{{Cite news |last1=Hinshaw |first1=Drew |last2=Wonogo |first2=Zoumana |date=2016-01-16 |title=Al Qaeda Attacks in Burkina Faso Kill at Least 30 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/operation-ends-at-burkina-faso-hotel-seized-by-al-qaeda-1452936866 |access-date=2025-04-27 |work=Wall Street Journal |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}
In the general election of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Democratic Progressive Party, led by Tsai Ing-wen, secured a majority in the Legislative Yuan, resulting in the first majority by a non-KMT party and the first majority won by the DPP. Tsai became the 14th President for Taiwan, and also became the first female leader in China.{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/09/16/2003627834|title=Shih Ming-te fails to meet threshold, ends candidacy|work=taipeitimes.com|date=September 16, 2015|access-date=February 4, 2019|archive-date=January 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115075857/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/09/16/2003627834|url-status=live}}
January 28 – The World Health Organization announces an outbreak of the Zika virus.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/28/health/zika-virus-global-response/index.html|title=Zika virus spreading explosively|last=Botelho|first=Greg|date=2016-01-28|access-date=2016-01-28|work=CNN|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128131150/http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/28/health/zika-virus-global-response/index.html|archive-date=January 28, 2016}}

= February =

February 6 – An earthquake of magnitude 6.6 strikes southern Taiwan, killing 117 people.{{Cite journal |last1=Lin |first1=Chih-Hao |last2=Chang |first2=Wei-Hung |last3=Wu |first3=Chen-Long |last4=Pan |first4=Shih-Tien |last5=Chi |first5=Chih-Hsien |date=2016-07-09 |title=Medical response to 2016 earthquake in Taiwan |url=https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)30978-3/fulltext |journal=The Lancet |language=English |volume=388 |issue=10040 |pages=129–130 |doi=10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30978-3 |pmid=27411878 |issn=0140-6736}}
February 7 – North Korea launches a reconnaissance satellite named Kwangmyŏngsŏng-4 into space, it is condemned internationally as a long-range ballistic missile test.{{cite news |title=North Korea fires long-range rocket despite warnings |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35515207 |date=2016-02-07 |website=BBC News |access-date=2016-02-12 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160210093850/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-35515207 |archive-date=February 10, 2016}}
February 12 – Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill sign an Ecumenical Declaration in the first such meeting between leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches since their schism in 1054.{{cite news|date=2016-02-13 |title=Unity call as Pope Francis holds historic talks with Russian Orthodox Patriarch |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35565085 |newspaper=BBC |access-date=2016-02-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212224729/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35565085 |archive-date=2016-02-12 |url-status=dead}}

= March =

March 14 – The ESA and Roscosmos launch the joint ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter on a mission to Mars.{{cite web|title=ESA - Robotic Exploration of Mars: ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO)|url=http://exploration.esa.int/mars/46475-trace-gas-orbiter/|access-date=2015-02-15|archive-date=March 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329062635/http://exploration.esa.int/mars/46475-trace-gas-orbiter/|url-status=live}}
March 21
The International Criminal Court finds former Congolese Vice President Jean-Pierre Bemba guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, the first time the ICC convicted someone of sexual violence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/21/icc-finds-ex-congolese-vice-president-jean-pierre-bemba-guilty-of-war-crimes|title=Congo politician guilty in first ICC trial to focus on rape as a war crime|last=Bowcott|first=Owen|date=2016-03-21|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-03-26|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325092653/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/21/icc-finds-ex-congolese-vice-president-jean-pierre-bemba-guilty-of-war-crimes|archive-date=March 25, 2016}}
Barack Obama visits Cuba, marking the first time a sitting US president has visited the island nation since President Calvin Coolidge visited in 1928.{{Cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/happened-time-us-president-visited-cuba/story?id=27689730|title=The Last Time an American President Visited Cuba|date=2016-03-22|website=ABC News|access-date=2017-06-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703080356/https://abcnews.go.com/International/happened-time-us-president-visited-cuba/story?id=27689730|archive-date=July 3, 2017}}
March 22 – 2016 Brussels bombings: Suicide bombing attacks at Brussels' Zaventem airport and Maalbeek metro station kill 35 people and injure 300 more.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-15 |title=Brussels terrorist attack trial: Belgian court hands out sentences to eight men |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/europe/article/2023/09/15/brussels-terrorist-attack-trial-belgian-court-hands-out-sentences-to-eight-men_6136210_143.html#:~:text=The%20suicide%20bombings%20on%20March,by%20the%20Islamic%20State%20group. |access-date=2025-04-27 |language=en}}
March 24 – Ex-Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadžić is sentenced to 40 years in prison after being found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the Bosnian War.{{cite news|title=Radovan Karadzic jailed for Bosnia war Srebrenica genocide|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35893804|date=2016-03-24|work=BBC News|access-date=2016-03-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324155208/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35893804|archive-date=March 24, 2016}}

= April =

April 1–5 – 2016 Nagorno-Karabakh clashes: Clashes occur along the Nagorno-Karabakh line of contact with the Artsakh Defense Army, backed by the Armenian Armed Forces, on one side and the Azerbaijani Armed Forces on the other. The US State Department estimates that a total of 350 people have been killed in the clashes, which have been defined as "the worst" since the 1994 ceasefire.{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/azerbaijan/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-situation-report-no-1-03-apr-2016 |title=Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict Situation Report No. 1 (as of 03 Apr 2016) |publisher=ReliefWeb |date=2016-04-03 |access-date=2016-04-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404094513/http://reliefweb.int/report/azerbaijan/nagorno-karabakh-conflict-situation-report-no-1-03-apr-2016 |archive-date=2016-04-04}}
April 3 – The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung publish the "Panama Papers", a set of 11.5 million confidential documents from the Panamanian corporate Mossack Fonseca that provides detailed information on more than 214,000 offshore companies, including the identities of shareholders and directors including noted personalities and heads of state.{{cite news |title=News Group Claims Huge Trove of Data on Offshore Accounts |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/04/03/world/europe/ap-panama-papers.html |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Associated Press |date=2016-04-03 |access-date=2016-04-04 |issn=0362-4331 |first1=Natalya |last1=Vasilyeva |first2=Mae |last2=Anderson |archive-date=December 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226144741/https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/04/03/world/europe/ap-panama-papers.html%20 |url-status=live }}
April 8 – Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Amoris laetitia (dated March 19) is published in the Vatican; it appears to amend the Roman Catholic Church's position on the availability of sacraments to Catholics who have divorced and contracted a civil remarriage.{{citation|work=L'Osservatore Romano|access-date=2017-11-29|url=http://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness|title=Accompanying, Discerning, Integrating Weakness|date=2017-11-21|first=Marc|last=Ouellet|author-link=Marc Ouellet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105200946/http://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/accompanying-discerning-integrating-weakness|archive-date=2019-01-05|url-status=dead}}
April 16 – An earthquake of magnitude 7.8 strikes northwestern Ecuador killing 676 people and injuring over 6,000. Widespread damage was caused across Manabí Province, with structures hundreds of kilometres away from the epicenter collapsing.
April 23 – American singer-songwriter Beyoncé releases her sixth studio album Lemonade.

= May =

May 2 – Leicester City are officially confirmed Premier League Champions against 5000-1 odds at the start of the season.
May 9 – Rodrigo Duterte is elected the President of the Philippines.
May 10–14 – The Eurovision Song Contest 2016 is held in Stockholm, Sweden, and is won by Ukrainian entrant Jamala with the song "1944".
May 19 – EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea en route from Paris to Cairo, killing all 66 people on board.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36309492 |title=EgyptAir flight MS804 from Paris to Cairo crashed - Hollande |website=BBC News |date=2016-05-19 |access-date=2016-05-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519041055/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-36309492 |archive-date=May 19, 2016}}
May 20 – Tsai Ing-wen is sworn in as the President of the Republic of China (Taiwan).{{cite web |title=Taiwan gets first female President as DPP sweeps election |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/taiwan-gets-first-female/2432040.html |website=Channel NewsAsia |access-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116134410/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/taiwan-gets-first-female/2432040.html |url-status=dead }}
May 28 – Real Madrid wins The UEFA Champions League against Atlético de Madrid by penalties 5-3 in San Siro in Milan, Italy
May 29 – The 100th Indianapolis 500 is held and is won by rookie Alexander Rossi.
May 30 – Former Chadian President Hissène Habré is sentenced to life in prison for crimes against humanity committed during his tenure from 1982 to 1990, the first time an African Union-backed court has convicted a former ruler of a country within its jurisdiction.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/30/chad-hissene-habre-guilty-crimes-against-humanity-senegal|title=Chad's Hissène Habré found guilty of crimes against humanity|last=Maclean|first=Ruth|date=2016-05-30|website=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|access-date=2016-05-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531113908/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/30/chad-hissene-habre-guilty-crimes-against-humanity-senegal|archive-date=May 31, 2016}}

= June =

June 1 – The Gotthard Base Tunnel, the world's longest and deepest railway tunnel, is opened following two decades of construction work.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250|title=Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland|date=2016-06-01|website=BBC News|language=en-GB|access-date=2016-06-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601050302/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250|archive-date=June 1, 2016}}
June 10–July 10 – France hosts the UEFA Euro 2016 football tournament, which is won by Portugal.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/euro-2016-opening-ceremony-david-guetta-can-can-when-does-it-start-who-is-performing-how-can-i-watch-a7073971.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/euro-2016-opening-ceremony-david-guetta-can-can-when-does-it-start-who-is-performing-how-can-i-watch-a7073971.html |archive-date=May 1, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live | title=Euro 2016 Begins |date=2016-06-10|website=The Independent|access-date=2018-06-04}}{{cbignore}}
June 12 – A gunman claiming allegiance to the Islamic State opens fire at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2016/06/12/voices/worst-mass-shooting/85794356/|title=USA TODAY|website=USA TODAY|language=en|access-date=2018-06-15}}
June 23 – The United Kingdom votes in a referendum to leave the European Union, triggering the so-called Brexit.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/britain-brexit-european-union-referendum.html|title=Britain Votes to Leave the European Union|last=Erlanger|first=Steven|date=2016-06-23|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-06-24|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624045559/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/britain-brexit-european-union-referendum.html|archive-date=June 24, 2016}}
June 28 – 2016 Atatürk Airport attack: ISIL is suspected to be responsible for attacking Atatürk Airport in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 44 people and injuring over 230 others.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36658187|title=Istanbul Ataturk airport attack: 41 dead and more than 230 hurt|date=2016-06-29|website=BBC News|access-date=2017-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170518091409/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36658187|archive-date=May 18, 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Tuysuz |first=Ray Sanchez,Tim Lister,Matt Rivers,Gul |date=2016-06-30 |title=Istanbul terror attack: These are the victims |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/06/30/europe/istanbul-terror-attack-victims/index.html |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=CNN |language=en}}

= July =

July 1 – Latvia becomes the 35th member of the OECD.{{cite web |url=http://www.oecd.org/latvia/latvia-accession-to-the-oecd.htm |publisher=OECD|title=Latvia's accession to the OECD|date=July 1, 2016|access-date=July 22, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721223018/http://www.oecd.org/latvia/latvia-accession-to-the-oecd.htm|archive-date=July 21, 2016}}
July 2 – 2016 Australian federal election: Malcolm Turnbull's Liberal/National Coalition Government is narrowly re-elected,{{cite news|url=http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-11/lnp-retains-capricornia-has-76-seats/7587578|title=Election 2016: LNP retains Capricornia, gives Coalition 76-seat majority government|date=July 11, 2016|work=ABC News|location=Australia}} defeating the Labor Party led by Bill Shorten.{{cite web|url=http://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2016|title=2016 Federal Election|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226152312/http://australianpolitics.com/elections/federal-2016|archive-date=February 26, 2018}}
July 5 – NASA's Juno spacecraft enters orbit around Jupiter and begins a 20-month survey of the planet.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36710768|title=Juno probe enters into orbit around Jupiter|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|date=2016-07-05|website=BBC News|access-date=2016-07-05|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705060153/http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36710768|archive-date=July 5, 2016}}

July 6 – The augmented reality mobile game Pokémon Go is released, breaking numerous records in terms of sales and revenue.{{cite web|last=Swatman|first=Rachel|url=http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/8/pokemon-go-catches-five-world-records-439327|title=Pokémon Go catches five new world records|date=2016-08-10|access-date=2018-01-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818035557/http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2016/8/pokemon-go-catches-five-world-records-439327|archive-date=August 18, 2016}}
July 12 – The Philippines wins the arbitration case they filed at the Permanent Court of Arbitration regarding the legality of China's "nine-dash line" claim over the South China Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.{{cite news|last1=Phillips|first1=Tom|last2=Holmes|first2=Oliver|last3=Bowcott|first3=Owen|title=Beijing rejects tribunal's ruling in South China Sea case|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china|access-date=2016-07-13|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|date=2016-07-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712220441/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jul/12/philippines-wins-south-china-sea-case-against-china|archive-date=July 12, 2016}}{{cite news|last1=Perlez|first1=Jane|title=Tribunal Rejects Beijing's Claims in South China Sea|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/world/asia/south-china-sea-hague-ruling-philippines.html?_r=0|access-date=2016-07-13|work=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|date=2016-07-12|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712152027/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/13/world/asia/south-china-sea-hague-ruling-philippines.html?_r=0|archive-date=July 12, 2016}}
July 14 – 2016 Nice truck attack: 86 people are killed and more than 400 others injured in a truck attack in Nice, France, during Bastille Day celebrations.{{cite web|last=Wesel|first=Barbara|url=http://www.dw.com/en/france-remembers-nice-terror-attack-victims-but-questions-remain/a-39682325|title=France remembers Nice terror attack victims but questions remain|publisher=DW|date=2017-07-03|access-date=2018-01-19|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180120072418/http://www.dw.com/en/france-remembers-nice-terror-attack-victims-but-questions-remain/a-39682325|archive-date=January 20, 2018}}
July 15–16 – In Turkey, a faction within the Turkish Armed Forces that organized themselves as the Peace at Home Council, unsuccessfully stages a coup against the state institutions, resulting in the deaths of at least 240 people and triggering a series of unprecedented purges throughout the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/turkey-failed-coup-attempt-161217032345594.html|title=Turkey's failed coup attempt: All you need to know|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=2017-07-15|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816085400/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/12/turkey-failed-coup-attempt-161217032345594.html|archive-date=August 16, 2017}}
July 22 – The final videocassette recorder is manufactured by the Japanese company Funai.{{cite news|last=Overly |first=Steven|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/07/22/rip-to-the-vcr|title=The VCR is officially dead. Yes, it was still alive.|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=2016-07-22|access-date=2016-09-25|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017235013/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/innovations/wp/2016/07/22/rip-to-the-vcr|archive-date=October 17, 2016}}
July 26 – Swiss Solar Impulse 2 becomes the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36890563 |title=Solar Impulse completes historic round-the-world trip |date=2016-07-26 |work=BBC News |access-date=2016-07-26 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726020410/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36890563 |archive-date=July 26, 2016}}

= August =

{{Listen|filename=VOA International Edition (August 30, 2016), 1805 EDT.mp3|type=speech|title=VOA newscast for August 30, 2016|description=Voice of America newscast on August 30, 2016}}

August 3 – Emirates Flight 521 crashed at Dubai International Airport in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 1 person was killed and 39 people were injured.{{cite web|title=Plane catches fire at Dubai airport; Emirates confirms 'incident'|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/plane-catches-fire-at-dubai-airport-emirates-confirms-incident-1.146723/}}
August 5–21 – The 2016 Summer Olympics are held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the first time in South America.{{cite web|title=Rio 2016 Olympic Games |url=http://www.rio2016.com/en|access-date=2015-02-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224233603/http://www.rio2016.com/en|archive-date=2015-02-24}}
August 24 – An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 hits central Italy, killing 299 people.
August 31 – The Brazilian Senate votes (61–20) to impeach the President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff. The Vice President of Brazil, Michel Temer, who had assumed the presidential powers and duties as Acting President of Brazil during Rousseff's suspension, takes office for the remainder of her term.{{cite news|title=Brazil impeachment: Key questions|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36028117|access-date=2016-09-05|work=BBC News|date=2016-08-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160831195954/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-36028117|archive-date=August 31, 2016}}

= September =

September 1 – An annular solar eclipse was visible from Gabon, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Mozambique and Madagascar.
September 3 – The US and China, together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions, both formally join the Paris global climate agreement.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37265541|title=Paris climate deal: US and China announce ratification|work=BBC News|date=2016-09-03|access-date=2016-09-03|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160903040316/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37265541|archive-date=September 3, 2016}}
September 8 – NASA launches OSIRIS-REx, its first asteroid sample return mission. The probe visited Bennu from 2018 to 2021 and would return samples to Earth on September 24, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-osiris-rex-speeds-toward-asteroid-rendezvous|title=NASA's OSIRIS-REx Speeds Toward Asteroid Rendezvous|publisher=NASA|date=2016-09-08|access-date=2016-09-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909150637/http://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-s-osiris-rex-speeds-toward-asteroid-rendezvous/|archive-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37309903|title=Asteroid probe begins seven-year quest|last=Amos|first=Jonathan|work=BBC News|date=2016-09-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909020147/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37309903|archive-date=September 9, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/|title=OSIRIS-REx|publisher=NASA|date=2024-01-08|access-date=2024-01-17}}
September 9 – The government of North Korea conducts its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test. World leaders condemn the act, with South Korea calling it "maniacal recklessness".{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/08/asia/north-korea-seismic-activity/|title=North Korea claims successful test of nuclear warhead|last1=Hunt|first1=Katie|last2=Kwon|first2=K.J.|last3=Hanna|first3=Jason|publisher=CNN|date=2016-09-09|access-date=2016-09-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909142815/http://edition.cnn.com/2016/09/08/asia/north-korea-seismic-activity|archive-date=September 9, 2016}}
September 28
International investigators conclude that Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 was shot down by a Buk missile that came from an area controlled by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.{{cite web|url=https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuwsberichten/@96068/jit-flight-mh17-shot/|title=JIT: Flight MH17 was shot down by a BUK missile from a farmland near Pervomaiskyi|publisher=Openbaar Ministerie|date=2016-09-28|access-date=2016-10-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014061625/https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuwsberichten/@96068/jit-flight-mh17-shot/|archive-date=October 14, 2016}}
Global {{CO2}} levels exceed 400 ppm at the time of year normally associated with minimum levels.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/28/the-world-passes-400ppm-carbon-dioxide-threshold-permanently|title=The world passes 400ppm carbon dioxide threshold. Permanently|work=The Guardian|issn=0261-3077|last=Kahn|first=Brian|date=2016-09-28|access-date=2016-10-31|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023211558/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/28/the-world-passes-400ppm-carbon-dioxide-threshold-permanently|archive-date=October 23, 2016}} A 400 ppm level is believed to be higher than anything experienced in human history.{{cite news|url=http://phys.org/news/2013-05-carbon-dioxide-atmosphere-historic-high.html|title=Greenhouse gas level highest in two million years, NOAA reports|work=Phys.org|date=2013-05-10|access-date=2016-11-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104000518/http://phys.org/news/2013-05-carbon-dioxide-atmosphere-historic-high.html|archive-date=November 4, 2016}}
September 30 – Two paintings by Vincent van Gogh with a combined value of $100 million, Seascape at Scheveningen and Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuenen, are recovered after having been stolen on December 7, 2002, from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37516164|title=Van Gogh paintings stolen from Amsterdam found in Italy|date=2016-09-30|work=BBC News|access-date=2017-05-01|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707152846/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37516164|archive-date=July 7, 2017}}

= October =

October 3 – Hurricane Matthew makes landfall in Haiti as a category 4 hurricane, killing 842 and causing $2.8 billion in damages.{{Cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Sam |last2=Holpuch |first2=Amanda |date=2016-10-07 |title=Haiti death toll rises to 842 after Hurricane Matthew, reports say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/06/hurricane-matthew-haiti-rescuers-battle-reach-remote-areas |access-date=2025-02-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}
October 7 – Three events that will play a significant role in the 2016 United States presidential election all take place on the same afternoon: (1) U.S. intelligence agencies publicly accuse the Russian government of using computer hacking to interfere with the U.S. election process; (2) The Washington Post releases a videotape showing candidate Donald Trump privately bragging about sexual improprieties; (3) WikiLeaks releases thousands of private emails from inside the political campaign of candidate Hillary Clinton.
October 13 – The Maldives announces its decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.foreign.gov.mv/v2/en/media-center/news/article/1999|title=The Maldives decides to leave the Commonwealth; commits to continue with its international engagement|publisher=Maldivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs|date=2016-10-13|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014060506/http://www.foreign.gov.mv/v2/en/media-center/news/article/1999|archive-date=October 14, 2016}}
October 14 – American missionary and aid worker Jeff Woodke is kidnapped in Abalak, Niger by militants. He would not be freed for six years.{{cite web | url=https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/hostage-jeff-woodke-niger-released | title=U.S. Aid worker kidnapped in Niger released after more than 6 years | date=March 20, 2023 | access-date=March 20, 2023 | archive-date=March 20, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320233229/https://www.axios.com/2023/03/20/hostage-jeff-woodke-niger-released | url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.bringjeffhome.com/|title=Bring Jeffery Woodke Home|date=March 27, 2023|website=bringjeffhome.com/|access-date=2 April 2023|archive-date=March 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320233231/https://www.bringjeffhome.com/|url-status=live}}
October 15 – 150 nations meet at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) summit in Rwanda and agree to phase out hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as an amendment to the Montreal Protocol.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37665529|title=Climate change: 'Monumental' deal to cut HFCs, fastest growing greenhouse gases|last=McGrath|first=Matt|work=BBC News|date=2016-10-15|access-date=2016-10-15|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015060712/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37665529|archive-date=October 15, 2016}}

= November =

November 1 – The number of people globally using mobile devices to access the internet overtakes those using desktop computers for the first time, having been preceded by the U.S. two years prior.{{cite web | url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/02/28/technology/mobile/mobile-apps-internet | title=Mobile apps overtake monthly Internet usage on PCS for the first time | date=February 28, 2014 | access-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111135617/https://money.cnn.com/2014/02/28/technology/mobile/mobile-apps-internet | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/mobile-internet-use-passes-desktop-for-the-first-time-study-finds/ | title=Mobile internet use passes desktop for the first time, study finds | date=November 2016 | access-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111135612/https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/01/mobile-internet-use-passes-desktop-for-the-first-time-study-finds/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.phocuswire.com/Pivotal-moments-in-2014-when-mobile-overtook-desktop | title=Pivotal moments in 2014: When mobile overtook desktop | access-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111135610/https://www.phocuswire.com/Pivotal-moments-in-2014-when-mobile-overtook-desktop | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2014/07/08/mobile-now-exceeds-pc-the-biggest-shift-since-the-internet-began/ | title=Mobile Now Exceeds PC: The Biggest Shift Since the Internet Began | date=July 8, 2014 | access-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111135610/https://www.searchenginewatch.com/2014/07/08/mobile-now-exceeds-pc-the-biggest-shift-since-the-internet-began/ | url-status=live }}{{cite web | url=https://gs.statcounter.com/press/mobile-and-tablet-internet-usage-exceeds-desktop-for-first-time-worldwide | title=Mobile and tablet internet usage exceeds desktop for first time worldwide | access-date=January 11, 2023 | archive-date=July 29, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190729035802/http://gs.statcounter.com/press/mobile-and-tablet-internet-usage-exceeds-desktop-for-first-time-worldwide | url-status=live }}
November 2 – The Chicago Cubs win the World Series for the first time since 1908, ending the longest championship drought in North American sports history.{{Cite news |last=Witz |first=Billy |date=November 3, 2016 |title=Cubs End 108-Year Wait for World Series Title, After a Little More Torment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/sports/baseball/chicago-cubs-beat-cleveland-indians-world-series-game-7.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007205825/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/sports/baseball/chicago-cubs-beat-cleveland-indians-world-series-game-7.html |archive-date=October 7, 2017 |access-date=October 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times}}
November 6 – The government of India announces the demonetisation of certain banknotes, causing prolonged cash shortages in the weeks that follow and significant disruption throughout the economy.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parliament-live-congress-pm-modi-raincoat-dr-manmohan-singh-opposition/1/878509.html |title=Demonetisation debate in Parliament: Disaster, says Chidambaram; high cash economy corrupt, counters Jaitley : India, News – India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=9 February 2017 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103133254/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/parliament-live-congress-pm-modi-raincoat-dr-manmohan-singh-opposition/1/878509.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/demonetisation-oppostion-parties-countrywide-protest-bandh-call-november-28-4391208/|title=Demonetisation: Opposition calls for countrywide protest on November 28|publisher=The Indian Express|access-date=23 November 2016|date=23 November 2016|archive-date=January 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103133254/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/demonetisation-oppostion-parties-countrywide-protest-bandh-call-november-28-4391208/|url-status=live}}
November 8 – 2016 United States presidential election: Businessman and television personality Donald Trump is elected the 45th President of the United States in a surprise victory against his opponent, former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton.{{cite news|last1=Flegenheimer|first1=Matt|last2=Barbaro|first2=Michael|title=Donald Trump Is Elected President in Stunning Repudiation of the Establishment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-president.html|access-date=October 13, 2017|work=N.Y. Times|date=2016-11-09|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121005319/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/09/us/politics/hillary-clinton-donald-trump-president.html|archive-date=January 21, 2017}}
November 18 – The remains of Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos are buried in a private ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani prompting protests throughout the Philippines.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2016 |title=Protesters take to streets to denounce Marcos 'Libingan' burial |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/11/19/Protesters-Marcos-burial.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225044427/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2016/11/19/Protesters-Marcos-burial.html |archive-date=February 25, 2021 |access-date=February 24, 2021 |website=CNN - Philippines}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/18/16/afp-we-only-followed-marcoses-wish-to-keep-burial-secret|title=AFP: We only followed Marcoses' wish to keep burial secret|first=Kimberly Jane|last=Tan|date=November 18, 2016|website=ABS-CBN News|access-date=February 24, 2021|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117045451/https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/18/16/afp-we-only-followed-marcoses-wish-to-keep-burial-secret|url-status=live}}
November 24 – The Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia—People's Army sign a revised peace deal, slowing the Colombian conflict.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38096179|title=Colombia signs new peace deal with Farc|date=2016-11-24|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2017-01-15|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195756/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-38096179|archive-date=December 28, 2016}}
November 28 – LaMia Flight 2933 crashes into a mountain near Medellín, Colombia, killing 71 of the 77 people on board, including members of the Brazilian Chapecoense football squad.

= December =

December 1 – Following a mourning period of seven weeks after the death and funeral of Bhumibol Adulyadej, Vajiralongkorn formally succeeds his late father as the new King of Thailand.{{cite news|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1149219/crown-prince-becomes-king |title=Crown Prince becomes King |work=Bangkok Post|date=December 2016 |access-date=1 December 2016}}
December 4 – A constitutional referendum is held in Italy, resulting in the resignation of the Prime Minister.
December 9 – South Korean President Park Geun-hye is suspended after MPs vote to impeach her, following a political scandal.
December 19
Andrei Karlov, the Russian ambassador to Turkey, is assassinated by an off-duty Turkish police officer at an art exhibition in Ankara.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38369962|title=Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov shot dead in Ankara|date=2016-12-19|work=BBC News|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20161221214823/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38369962|archive-date=December 21, 2016}}
Berlin truck attack: A truck is deliberately driven into the Christmas market next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin, leaving 12 people dead and 56 others injured.
December 22 – A study finds the VSV-EBOV vaccine against the Ebola virus between 70 and 100% effective, thus making it the first proven vaccine against the disease.{{cite web|last=Berlinger|first=Joshua|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/health/ebola-vaccine-study/index.html|title=Ebola vaccine gives 100% protection, study finds|publisher=CNN|date=2016-12-23|access-date=2017-01-02|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227084931/http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/health/ebola-vaccine-study/index.html|archive-date=December 27, 2016}}
December 23 – The United Nations Security Council adopts Resolution 2334 condemning "Israeli settlements in Palestinian territories occupied since 1967".{{cite news|title=Israeli settlements: UN Security Council calls for an end|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38421026|access-date=2016-12-27|work=BBC News|date=2016-12-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161226190109/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38421026|archive-date=December 26, 2016}}
December 25 – 2016 Russian Defence Ministry Tupolev Tu-154 crash: A Tupolev Tu-154 jetliner of the Russian Defence Ministry crashes into the Black Sea shortly after taking off from Sochi International Airport, Russia, while en route to Khmeimim Air Base, Syria. All 92 people on board, including 64 members of the Alexandrov Ensemble choir of the Russian Armed Forces, are killed.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38430164 |title=Russian military plane crashes in Black Sea near Sochi |work=BBC News |date=December 25, 2016 |access-date=June 9, 2019 |archive-date=June 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611195945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-38430164 |url-status=live }}
December 28 – The chemical elements 113, 115, 117 and 118 are officially named Nihonium, Moscovium, Tennessine and Oganesson.{{Cite web |title=The Periodic Table's 4 New Elements |url=https://www.westlab.com/blog/the-4-new-elements-on-the-periodic-table |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=www.westlab.com |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012145258/https://www.westlab.com/blog/the-4-new-elements-on-the-periodic-table |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Öhrström |first1=Lars |last2=Reedijk |first2=Jan |date=2016-12-28 |title=Names and symbols of the elements with atomic numbers 113, 115, 117 and 118 (IUPAC Recommendations 2016) |journal=Pure and Applied Chemistry |volume=88 |issue=12 |pages=1225–1229 |doi=10.1515/pac-2016-0501 |issn=0033-4545 |eissn=1365-3075 |s2cid=99429711 |hdl-access=free |hdl=1887/47427}}
December 31 – Withdrawal of the majority of U.S. troops from Afghanistan after 15 years of war.{{cite news |last=Sennott |first=Charles M. |date=May 5, 2015 |title=The First Battle of the 21st Century |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/war-afghanistan-spann-qala-i-jangi/392402/ |newspaper=The Atlantic |access-date=May 15, 2015 |quote=Even after 14 years of war in Afghanistan, the U.S. military has not fully succeeded in restoring security to the country or defeating the Taliban. Now, at the request of the new Afghan government, the United States has delayed the completion of its troop withdrawal from the country until 2016 at the earliest. |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730101144/https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/05/war-afghanistan-spann-qala-i-jangi/392402/ |url-status=live }}

= General =

Pemon conflict in Venezuela.{{Cite news|last=Ebus|first=Bram|date=8 June 2019|title=Venezuela's mining arc: a legal veneer for armed groups to plunder|language=en|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/08/venezuela-gold-mines-rival-armed-groups-gangs|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019195924/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/08/venezuela-gold-mines-rival-armed-groups-gangs|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|date=13 December 2018|title=Pemones responden a Maduro: Fuera de aquí porque eres colombiano|language=es|work=NTN24|url=https://www.ntn24.com/america-latina/venezuela/pemones-responden-maduro-fuera-de-aqui-porque-eres-colombiano-101806|access-date=27 November 2019|archive-date=June 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629161252/https://www.ntn24.com/america-latina/venezuela/pemones-responden-maduro-fuera-de-aqui-porque-eres-colombiano-101806|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=22 February 2019|title=As tensions over aid rise, Venezuelan troops fire on villagers, kill two|url=http://news.trust.org/item/20190222215031-a8xxv/|access-date=23 February 2019|website=Thomson Reuters Foundation|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011428/https://news.trust.org/item/20190222215031-a8xxv/|url-status=live}}
Beginning of the famine in Yemen.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/04/yemen-famine-feared-as-starving-children-fight-for-lives-in-hospital|title=Yemen famine feared as starving children fight for lives in hospital|first1=Emma|last1=Graham-Harrison|last2=agencies|date=4 October 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=13 December 2017|archive-date=4 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161004232919/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/04/yemen-famine-feared-as-starving-children-fight-for-lives-in-hospital|url-status=live}}

Births and deaths

Nobel Prizes

File:Nobel medal.png

Chemistry – Ben Feringa, Jean-Pierre Sauvage, Fraser Stoddart
Economics – Oliver Hart, Bengt R. Holmström
Literature – Bob Dylan
Peace – Juan Manuel Santos
Physics – John M. Kosterlitz, Duncan Haldane, David J. Thouless
Physiology or Medicine – Yoshinori Ohsumi

New English words

References

Category:Leap years in the Gregorian calendar