What Happened on November 16?

November 16 is International Day for Tolerance — a UN observance — on the same date Oklahoma became a state in 1907, UNESCO was founded in 1945, and Benazir Bhutto was elected in 1988.

• 1532 — Francisco Pizarro captures Inca emperor Atahualpa

  On November 16, 1532, Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro seized Inca emperor Atahualpa at Cajamarca, Peru. Read the full story →

• 1855 — David Livingstone reaches Victoria Falls

  On November 16, 1855, David Livingstone became the first European to record seeing Mosi-oa-Tunya — Victoria Falls. Read the full story →

• 1907 — Oklahoma becomes the 46th U.S. state

  On November 16, 1907, Oklahoma Territory and Indian Territory joined the Union as the state of Oklahoma. Read the full story →

• 1945 — UNESCO is founded in London

  On November 16, 1945, nations signed the constitution creating UNESCO to build peace through education, science, and culture. Read the full story →

• 1973 — Skylab 4 launches the final crew to America's first space station

  On November 16, 1973, NASA launched Skylab 4, sending the third and final crew to the Skylab space station. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

W.C. Handy (1873–1958) · Burgess Meredith (1907–1997) · Lisa Bonet (1967) · Maggie Gyllenhaal (1977)

Days & observances

International Day for Tolerance · National Fast Food Day · National Button Day · Oklahoma Statehood Day