16 September World Events

International Day of The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer

International Day of The Preservation Of the Ozone Layer or  World Ozone Day is annually observed on 16 September to raise awareness about the importance of the Ozone layer and ways to preserve it. If the thinning of the ozone layer is left unchecked it will eventually expose humans and other creatures to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun which causes skin cancer and induces cataract formation apart from damaging the plants and marine ecosystems, which ultimately leads to global warming. 

The theme of World Ozone Day 2023 is ''Montreal Protocol: Fixing the Ozone Layer and Reducing Climate Change.''

Background:

Ozone Layer: This layer is found in the Stratosphere 15-30  Km above the Earth's surface. It is composed of a high concentration of Ozone which shields the Earth from the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) radiation which causes skin cancers. 

The scientists of the British Antarctic Survey first discovered the depletion of the Ozone Layer above the Halley Research Station in Antarctica which was first published in Nature Journal in 1985.

It was an alarming situation for the global community so they met in Austria's capital Vienna on 22 March 1985,  to adopt and sign the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Further, on 16 September 1987 The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed by 24 nations in Montreal, Canada. The UNGA on 19 December 1994 declared this day as the International Day of the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. 

Carl Koller: The First Local Anesthetic

On this day, 16 September 1884, Cocaine was first used as a local anesthetic in 1884 by Carl Koller, a Czech-born American ophthalmologist. Koller noticed that cocaine had a numbing effect on the tongue, and he experimented with using it to numb the eyes of animals before surgery. He then successfully performed the first eye surgery under local anaesthesia using cocaine.

Mexican War Of Independence Begins: Grito de Dolores

The Mexican War of Independence was a decade-long,  armed conflict and political process that started on 16 September 1810 and culminated on 27 September 1821, resulting in Mexico's independence from the Colonial rule of Spain The war began with the Grito de Dolores, a call to arms issued by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest who was also known as the Father Of the Mexican War of Independence, on 15 September 1810. The Mexican War of Independence is celebrated in Mexico every year on 16 September as Independence Day.

The Sabra  & Shatila Massacre: 16 September 1982

The Sabra and Shatila massacre occurred in September 1982 during the Lebanese Civil War, within the Palestinian refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila in Beirut. Israeli Defense Forces surrounded the camps, and allied Lebanese Christian Phalange militia forces entered and instead of targeting Palestinian armed groups as intended, they started killing refugees. The massacre began on the evening of September 16, 1982, and continued for approximately two days, until September 18, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent Palestinian refugees, including women, children, and the elderly.

1978 Tabas Earthquake: A Powerful Seismic Event with Devastating Effects in Tabas, Iran

The 1978 Tabas earthquake was a powerful seismic event that measured 7.7 on the Richter Scale hit the city of Tabas, Iran, on September 16, 1978. This earthquake was a natural disaster that caused widespread damage to buildings, and infrastructure and resulted in the loss of more than 25K lives.

International Red Panda Day: 16 September 2023

International Red Panda Day is celebrated on the third Saturday of September each year. This year, it falls on 16th September 2023.

The event was first observed in 2010 by the Red Panda Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of red pandas and their habitat. The primary goal of International Red Panda Day is to educate people about red pandas, their role in the ecosystem, reduce poaching and the threats they face in the wild.

International Coastal Cleanup Day: 16 September 2023

International Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual observance that falls on the third Saturday of September. It was established by the Ocean Conservancy, an organization that works to help protect the ocean from the challenges it faces every year. 

The trash in the water impacts the planet on many levels, including harming wildlife, and humans, and impacting the livelihood of those who work in the ocean. It causes economic damage by affecting tourism and recreation and the money they bring into those communities that live near the shore.

Malaysia Day - Malay: Hari Malaysia September 16, 1963

Malaysia Day is a national holiday in Malaysia that is annually celebrated on 16th September. On this day, 16 September 1963 the Malaysian Federation was founded with the unification of four erstwhile  British colonies (Malaya, North Borneo (now known as Sabah), Sarawak, and Singapore) to form a new nation in the South China Sea. 

Russian Economy Crisis: 16 September 2008

The Russian Economic Crisis of 2008 was a period of economic downturn that began on 16 September 2008. The crisis was caused by a number of factors, including the collapse of the global financial system, the decline in oil prices, and the withdrawal of foreign investment from Russia.

The crisis had a devastating impact on the Russian economy. The ruble lost half of its value against the US dollar, and inflation reached 15%. The Russian stock market also collapsed, and many businesses were forced to close. The crisis also led to a sharp decline in living standards for many Russians.

Martyrs' Day in Libya : 16 September

Martyrs' Day in Libya is celebrated on September 16th to pay tribute to the Libyans who were killed or exiled during Italian rule and the 17th February Revolution. Italian rule in Libya began in 1911 and lasted until 1943. During this time, the Italian government committed many atrocities against the Libyan people, including torture, execution, and mass displacement. The Libyans resisted Italian rule, and many Libyans were killed or exiled during this time.

The Nisour Square massacre: 16 September 2007

The Nisour Square massacre refers to a tragic incident that occurred in Baghdad, Iraq, on September 16, 2007. During this event, private security contractors from the U.S. company Blackwater (now known as Academi) opened fire on Iraqi civilians in Nisour Square, a busy traffic circle in the capital city. As a result of the shooting, at least 17 Iraqi civilians were killed, and more than 20 were wounded. The victims included men, women, and children.

The National Day of Maldives

The National Day of Maldives, also known as Qaumee Dhuvas, is celebrated on the first day of the third month of the Islamic calendar, which typically falls in September. This year, it will be celebrated on September 16th. The National Day of Maldives commemorates the victory of Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam over the Portuguese occupation in the year 1573. Thakurufaanu was a Maldivian general who led a successful revolt against the Portuguese, who had ruled the Maldives for 15 years.