In History, Today on October 16

Jadwiga is crowned King of Poland, a title she holds despite being female, marking a significant moment in Polish history.

Marie Antoinette, the former Queen of France, is executed by guillotine in Paris during the French Revolution.

The Battle of Leipzig, also known as the Battle of Nations, begins. It is one of the largest battles in Europe prior to World War I, involving Napoleon's forces against a coalition of Russia, Prussia, Austria, and Sweden.

William T. G. Morton administers ether anesthesia for the first time in a public demonstration at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, marking a significant advancement in medical surgery.

John Brown leads a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, intending to start an armed slave revolt.

The Partition of Bengal is made effective by the British Raj, leading to significant political unrest and contributing to the rise of the Indian independence movement.

Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in the United States in Brooklyn, New York, which led to her arrest for distributing information on contraception.

The Walt Disney Company is founded by Walt and Roy O. Disney, eventually becoming a major force in entertainment.

Ten Nazi war criminals are executed in Nuremberg following the Nuremberg Trials, marking a significant moment in post-World War II justice.

China detonates its first nuclear weapon, becoming the fifth nuclear-armed nation.

Cardinal Karol Józef Wojtyła is elected Pope John Paul II, becoming the first non-Italian pope in 455 years.

Desmond Tutu is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in the opposition to apartheid in South Africa.

The Million Man March takes place in Washington, D.C., organized by Louis Farrakhan to promote African American unity and family values.

The Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a major library and cultural center, is officially inaugurated in Alexandria, Egypt, aiming to recapture the spirit of the ancient Library of Alexandria.

A powerful earthquake strikes the coast of central Chile, causing damage and prompting evacuations but resulting in no fatalities.

The United States ends a 16-day government shutdown and raises the debt ceiling after Congress passes a bill to fund the government.

Journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, known for her investigative work on corruption, is killed by a car bomb in Malta, sparking international outrage and calls for justice.

The United Kingdom and the European Union reach a revised Brexit deal, which is later rejected by the UK Parliament, prolonging the Brexit process.