On this day

16 December in history.

5 moments from 1497 to 1901: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Cover of the first edition of The Tale of Peter Rabbit

1901

Beatrix Potter publishes Peter Rabbit herself. After several publishers turned it down, Beatrix Potter printed 250 copies of The Tale of Peter Rabbit herself. It went on to become one of the best-loved children's books ever.

Wikipedia: The Tale of Peter Rabbit

Photo: Beatrix Potter / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 16 December

  1. Vasco da Gama, anonymous portrait, c. 1525

    1497

    Vasco da Gama rounds Africa

    Vasco da Gama sailed past the Great Fish River at the southern tip of Africa, the point where Bartolomeu Dias had turned back.

    Wikipedia: Vasco da GamaWikipedia: Great Fish River

    Photo: Sailko / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

  2. Coat of Arms of the Kingdom of England from 1689 to 1694 used jointly by King William III and Mary II

    1689

    England's Bill of Rights

    The English Parliament passed the Bill of Rights, setting out basic civil rights. It later influenced other documents, including the US Bill of Rights.

    Wikipedia: Bill of Rights 1689

    Photo: Sodacan / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

  3. Boston Tea Party

    1773

    The Boston Tea Party

    Members of the Sons of Liberty tipped hundreds of crates of tea into Boston Harbor in protest against British taxes.

    Wikipedia: Boston Tea PartyWikipedia: Sons of Liberty

    Photo: Original uploader was Cornischong at lb.wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. 1882

    The first Home Nations rugby match

    Wales and England played the first Home Nations rugby union match, the tournament that became today's Six Nations.

    Wikipedia: Home Nations ChampionshipWikipedia: Six Nations Championship

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.