What Happened on October 16?

October 16 is World Food Day — a UN call for food for all — on the same date ether anesthesia was demonstrated in 1846, Kennedy was briefed on Cuban missiles in 1962, and John Paul II was elected in 1978.

• 1846 — William Morton demonstrates ether anesthesia in surgery

  On October 16, 1846, dentist William T.G. Morton publicly demonstrated ether anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital — transforming surgery. Read the full story →

• 1859 — John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry begins

  On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry to spark a slave uprising. Read the full story →

• 1869 — The Cardiff Giant 'discovery' begins a famous hoax

  On October 16, 1869, workers supposedly dug up a giant stone man near Cardiff, New York — a carved hoax that fooled crowds. Read the full story →

• 1962 — President Kennedy is briefed on missiles in Cuba

  On October 16, 1962, advisers showed President John F. Kennedy U-2 photos of Soviet missiles in Cuba — day one of the Cuban Missile Crisis in the White House. Read the full story →

• 1978 — Karol Wojtyła is elected Pope John Paul II

  On October 16, 1978, cardinals elected Karol Wojtyła of Poland as pope — the first non-Italian pontiff in 455 years. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) · Eugene O'Neill (1888–1953) · Angela Lansbury (1925–2022) · John Mayer (1977)

Days & observances

World Food Day · National Dictionary Day · Boss's Day · World Anaesthesia Day