Historydraft LogoHistorydraft Logo
Historydraft
beta
Historydraft Logo
Historydraft
beta

  • A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
    2016
    Amancio Ortega

    60% of Inditex

    A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
    2016

    In 2016, Ortega owned around 60% of Inditex, which is the holding company for Zara and related chains.




  • U.S.
    2016
    Desmond Doss: Hacksaw Ridge

    Hacksaw Ridge

    U.S.
    2016

    Hacksaw Ridge is a 2016 biographical war drama film directed by Mel Gibson and written by Andrew Knight and Robert Schenkkan, based on the 2004 documentary The Conscientious Objector. The film focuses on the World War II experiences of Desmond Doss, an American pacifist combat medic who, as a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, refused to carry or use a weapon or firearm of any kind. Doss became the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honor, for service above and beyond the call of duty during the Battle of Okinawa. Andrew Garfield stars as Doss, with Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffiths, and Vince Vaughn in supporting roles.




  • Taoyuan City, Taiwan
    2016
    Virtual reality

    HTC Vive

    Taoyuan City, Taiwan
    2016

    In 2016, HTC shipped its first units of the HTC Vive SteamVR headset. This marked the first major commercial release of sensor-based tracking, allowing for free movement of users within a defined space. A patent filed by Sony in 2017 showed they were developing a similar location tracking technology to the Vive for PlayStation VR, with the potential for the development of a wireless headset.




  • U.S.
    2016
    Tesla, Inc.

    The world's top selling plug-in car

    U.S.
    2016

    In 2016 BYD Auto was the world's top selling plug-in car manufacturer with 101,183 units sold, followed by Tesla with 76,243.




  • London, United Kingdom
    Friday Jan 1, 2016
    Prince William

    Royal ranks

    London, United Kingdom
    Friday Jan 1, 2016

    On January 1, 2016, Prince William was ranked Major in the British Army, Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force and Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force.




  • Berlin, Germany
    2016
    Rosa Parks

    Rosa's Detroit House was Partly Restored

    Berlin, Germany
    2016

    In 2016 Rosa's Detroit house was disassembled, moved to Berlin, and partly restored.




  • Spain
    2016
    Papa John's Pizza

    Papa John's Started Operating In Spain

    Spain
    2016

    Spain is the second most important European market for Papa John's. The chain has been operating in Spain since 2016, and due to its fast growth it already had 42 restaurants by late 2017. In particular, the restaurants achieved a significant presence in the Madrid province with more than half of the Spanish restaurants being located there. Papa John's expects to open at least 100 restaurants just in the province of Madrid, as well as expanding to other regions across Spain.


  • UK
    Jan, 2016
    Google LLC

    Google Reached a Settlement with the UK

    UK
    Jan, 2016

    In January 2016, Google reached a settlement with the UK to pay £130m in back taxes plus higher taxes in future.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Andrew Yang

    VFA Documentry

    U.S.
    2016

    A documentary about Venture for America titled Generation Startup was released, co-directed by Cynthia Wade, an Academy Award winner, and Cheryl Miller Houser. 2016 also saw the addition of Atlanta and Nashville along with nearly 170 Fellows placed.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

    Political action

    U.S.
    2016

    Markle was politically vocal before joining the British royal family. She backed Hillary Clinton during the 2016 United States presidential election and described Clinton's opponent, Donald Trump, as "misogynistic" and "divisive". The same year, when the referendum on the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union resulted in 51.9% of voters being in favor of Brexit, Markle expressed her disappointment on Instagram and posted a placard saying: "If EU leaves me now, you take away the biggest part of me." This, as well as her recommendation of Noam Chomsky's book Who Rules the World?, led Emine Saner of The Guardian to write that Markle would become "the most leftwing member of the royal family". Members of the royal family are politically neutral by convention, and Dickie Arbiter, former press secretary to Prince Charles, expects the Duchess to follow suit. Historian Robert Lacey said she was the most "feisty and spiky" person to marry into the royal family since her grandfather-in-law Prince Philip.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Sofia Kenin

    Playing in the junior tour in 2016

    U.S.
    2016

    Kenin continued to play on the junior tour in 2016 while primarily playing in professional events on the ITF Women's Circuit. At the US Open, she again produced one of her best results of the year, losing in the semifinals to Viktória Kužmová after upsetting the No. 1 seed Anastasia Potapova in the previous round.


  • U.S.
    2016
    DC Comics

    DC announced a line-wide relaunch titled DC Rebirth

    U.S.
    2016

    In 2016, DC announced a line-wide relaunch titled DC Rebirth. The new line would launch with an 80-page one-shot titled DC Universe: Rebirth, written by Geoff Johns, with art from Gary Frank, Ethan Van Sciver, and more. After that, many new series would launch with a twice-monthly release schedule and new creative teams for nearly every title. The relaunch was meant to bring back the legacy and heart many felt had been missing from DC characters since the launch of the New 52. Rebirth brought huge success, both financially and critically.


  • Dhaka, Bangladesh
    2016
    Banking Frauds and Hacks

    Bangladesh Bank

    Dhaka, Bangladesh
    2016

    Unknown hackers (possibly the Lazarus group) the fact that hackers managed to break into SWIFT's global money-transfer system was a cause of huge concern. With this data, the hackers had free rein to male withdrawals under the protection of the system, which supposedly employed top-notch security measures. Thankfully, Pan Asia banking canceled the $20 million it had already received from Bangladesh bank, then sent those funds back to Bangladesh bank's New York Fed account. It seems the hackers tried to transfer the money to the Shalika Foundation. However, they misspelled "foundation" as "fandation".


  • Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    2016
    Facebook, Inc.

    Combating Fake News by Using Fact Checkers

    Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    2016

    Following the 2016 presidential election, Facebook announced that it would combat fake news by using fact checkers from sites like FactCheck.org and Associated Press (AP), making reporting hoaxes easier through crowdsourcing, and disrupting financial incentives for abusers.


  • Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    2016
    Facebook, Inc.

    Facebook Released its Blueprints of Surround 360 Camera

    Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    2016

    Facebook released its blueprints of Surround 360 camera on GitHub under an open-source license.


  • New York City, New York, U.S.
    2016
    New York Stock Exchange

    DJIA hits an all-time high of 18,873.6

    New York City, New York, U.S.
    2016

    In 2016, the DJIA hits an all-time high of 18,873.6.


  • Palo Alto, California, U.S.
    2016
    Tesla, Inc.

    The Tesla Semi Was First mentioned

    Palo Alto, California, U.S.
    2016

    The Tesla Semi is an all-electric Class 8 semi-trailer truck first mentioned in the 2016 Tesla Master plan. Production is expected to begin in 2020.


  • Mountain View, California, U.S.
    2016
    Google LLC

    Discontinuation The "Nexus" Branding

    Mountain View, California, U.S.
    2016

    Google spawned a number of phones and tablets under the "Nexus" branding until its eventual discontinuation in 2016, replaced by a new brand called Pixel.


  • Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    2016
    League of Legends

    New Loot System

    Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    2016

    Changes for the 2016 season included adding a loot system that allows players to acquire content such as full character and skin unlocks. It was the first time the game had ever awarded character skins for free. Riot also announced that in an effort to punish negative behavior, some players would be ineligible for these rewards due to past negative behavior.


  • Madrid, Spain
    Monday Jan 4, 2016
    Zinedine Zidane

    The Manager of Real Madrid

    Madrid, Spain
    Monday Jan 4, 2016

    On 4 January 2016, Real Madrid announced the dismissal of manager Rafael Benítez and on the same day Zidane was appointed the new manager of the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal.


  • Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
    Jan, 2016
    Netflix

    Major international expansion

    Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
    Jan, 2016

    At the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, Netflix announced a major international expansion of its service into 150 additional countries. Netflix promoted that with this expansion, it would now operate in nearly all countries that the company may legally or logistically operate in.


  • France
    Monday Jan 11, 2016
    Lionel Messi

    Fifth Ballon d'Or

    France
    Monday Jan 11, 2016

    Fifth Ballon d'Or awarded.


  • California, United States
    Jan, 2016
    Elizabeth Holmes

    Theranos directed some irregularitie

    California, United States
    Jan, 2016

    In January 2016, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) sent a warning letter to Theranos after an inspection of its Newark, California laboratory uncovered irregularities with staff proficiency, procedures, and equipment.


  • U.S.
    Jan, 2016
    Xerox

    Own publicly-traded company

    U.S.
    Jan, 2016

    In January 2016, Xerox—reportedly under pressure from activist shareholder Carl Icahn—announced that by the end of the year it would spin off its business services unit, largely made up of Affiliated Computer Services, into its own publicly-traded company. The name and management of the new company had not been determined at the time of the announcement. Icahn will appoint three members of the new company's board of directors, and he will choose a person to advise its search for a CEO.


  • U.S.
    Jan, 2016
    Netflix

    Blocking VPNs

    U.S.
    Jan, 2016

    Also in January 2016, Netflix announced it would begin blocking virtual private networks, or VPNs. At the same time, Netflix reported 74.8 million subscribers and predicted it would add 6.1 million more by March 2016. Subscription growth has been fueled by its global expansion.


  • Turin, Italy
    Thursday Jan 14, 2016
    Ciro Immobile

    Returning to Torino

    Turin, Italy
    Thursday Jan 14, 2016

    On 14 January 2016, Immobile returned to Torino on loan until the end of 2015–16 season. Two days later on his return debut, he scored the opening goal of a 4–2 home victory over Frosinone. On 14 February, he scored a brace, in a 3–1 win away against Palermo. On 22 March, it was determined he sustained a muscular injury at the half time mark in a derby with Juventus two days prior, and would be sidelined for a month.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Kevin Hart

    Ride Along 2

    U.S.
    2016

    Hart returned in the sequel, Ride Along 2, which was released on January 15, 2016.


  • U.S.
    2016
    IBM

    A New Cloud Video Unit

    U.S.
    2016

    In 2016, IBM acquired video conferencing service Ustream and formed a new cloud video unit.


  • San Bruno, California, U.S.
    Jan, 2016
    YouTube

    YouTube expanded its headquarters in San Bruno

    San Bruno, California, U.S.
    Jan, 2016

    In January 2016, YouTube expanded its headquarters in San Bruno by purchasing an office park for $215 million. The complex has 51,468 square metres (554,000 square feet) of space and can house up to 2,800 employees.


  • U.S.
    Jan, 2016
    Java (programming language)

    Plugin

    U.S.
    Jan, 2016

    In January 2016, Oracle announced that Java run-time environments, based on JDK 9, will discontinue the browser plugin, as, by late 2015, browser vendors were working on reducing plugin support in their products.


  • London, England, United Kingdom
    2016
    The palace of Westminster England

    Vacating the building for six years

    London, England, United Kingdom
    2016

    MPs decided in 2016 to vacate the building for six years starting in 2022.


  • Miami, Florida, U.S.
    Monday Jan 25, 2016
    Dwayne Johnson

    The New Day

    Miami, Florida, U.S.
    Monday Jan 25, 2016

    On the January 25, 2016, episode of Raw, The Rock was in a segment that saw him converse with The Miz, Big Show, Lana and Rusev before he and his relatives, The Usos, got into an altercation with then-WWE Tag Team Champions, The New Day.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Donald Trump

    $1 million research

    U.S.
    2016

    He spent over $1 million that year to research a possible 2016 candidacy.


  • U.S.
    2016
    Donald Trump

    Two women were paid for non-disclosure agreements regarding their alleged affairs with Trump

    U.S.
    2016

    American Media, Inc. (AMI) paid $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal in August 2016, and Trump's attorney Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels in October 2016. Both women were paid for non-disclosure agreements regarding their alleged affairs with Trump between 2006 and 2007. Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to breaking campaign finance laws, saying he had arranged the payments at the direction of Trump in order to influence the presidential election. AMI admitted paying McDougal to prevent publication of stories that might damage Trump's electoral chances. Trump denied the affairs, and claimed he was not aware of Cohen's payment to Daniels, but reimbursed him in 2017. Federal prosecutors asserted that Trump had been involved in discussions regarding non-disclosure payments as early as 2014. Court documents showed that the FBI believed Trump was directly involved in the payment to Daniels, based on calls he had with Cohen in October 2016. The closure of the federal investigation into the matter was announced in July 2019, but days later the Manhattan District Attorney subpoenaed the Trump Organization and AMI for records related to the hush payments and in August subpoenaed eight years of tax returns for Trump and the Trump Organization.


  • California, United States
    Friday Jan 29, 2016
    Elon Musk

    Tesla Shares

    California, United States
    Friday Jan 29, 2016

    On 29 January 2016, Musk owned about 28.9 million Tesla shares, which equates to about 22% of the company.


  • Dongguan, Guangdong, China
    Jan, 2016
    Oppo

    Similar to Oneplus

    Dongguan, Guangdong, China
    Jan, 2016

    In February 2016, Oppo launched the A30. It is identical to the OnePlus X, differing only in branding and software.


  • U.S.
    Feb, 2016
    Tesla, Inc.

    Tesla battery cell costs

    U.S.
    Feb, 2016

    In February 2016, Tesla battery cell costs were estimated at US$200 per kWh.


  • Mong Kok, China
    Monday Feb 8, 2016
    Hong Kong independence

    Mong Kok civil unrest broke out between police and protesters

    Mong Kok, China
    Monday Feb 8, 2016

    On 8 February during the 2016 Chinese New Year holidays, the Mong Kok civil unrest broke out between police and protesters following the government's crackdown on unlicensed street hawkers. Batons and pepper spray were used by the police and two warning shots were fired into the air, while protesters threw glass bottles, bricks, flower pots and trash bins toward the police and set fires in the streets. The main participant in the event, Hong Kong Indigenous, a political group with pro-independence tendencies, was branded by Director of the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong Zhang Xiaoming as "radical separatists" who were "inclined toward terrorism."


  • Dongguan, Guangdong, China
    Tuesday Feb 9, 2016
    Oppo

    PBA smartphone partnership

    Dongguan, Guangdong, China
    Tuesday Feb 9, 2016

    In 2016, PBA tied up with this company as its official smartphone partner starting from the 2016 PBA Commissioner's Cup which was held on 10th February.


  • Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
    Feb, 2016
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

    Young Minds

    Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K.
    Feb, 2016

    In February 2016, she traveled to Edinburgh to promote the work of Place2Be (a children's mental health charity that provides mental health counseling support and training to schools to improve the emotional wellbeing of pupils, families, teachers, and staff.), launched Children's Mental Health Week, and contributed to the HuffPost UK as a part of the Young Minds Matter movement, an effort to raise awareness for children's mental health issues.


  • Syria
    Feb, 2016
    Qasem Soleimani

    Offensive in Aleppo Governorate's northern countryside

    Syria
    Feb, 2016

    In early February 2016, backed by Russian and Syrian air force airstrikes, the 4th Mechanized Division – in close coordination with Hezbollah, the National Defense Forces (NDF), Kata'eb Hezbollah, and Harakat Al-Nujaba – launched an offensive in Aleppo Governorate's northern countryside, which eventually broke the three-year siege of Nubl and Al-Zahraa and cut off the rebels' main supply route from Turkey. According to a senior, non-Syrian security source close to Damascus, Iranian fighters played a crucial role in the conflict. "Qassem Soleimani is there in the same area", he said. In December 2016, new photos emerged of Soleimani at the Citadel of Aleppo, though the exact date of the photos is unknown.


  • California, United States
    Feb, 2016
    Elon Musk

    Tesla.com

    California, United States
    Feb, 2016

    In February 2016, Musk announced that he had acquired the Tesla.com domain name from Stu Grossman, who had owned it since 1992, and changed Tesla's homepage to that domain.


  • Washington D.C., U.S.
    Sunday Feb 21, 2016
    Black History Month

    Virginia McLaurin in the White House

    Washington D.C., U.S.
    Sunday Feb 21, 2016

    On 21 February 2016, 106-year Washington D.C. resident and school volunteer Virginia McLaurin visited the White House as part of Black History Month. When asked by the president why she was there, McLaurin said, "A Black president. A Black wife. And I’m here to celebrate Black history. That's what I'm here for".


  • Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Tuesday Feb 23, 2016
    Xiaomi

    Mi 5 smartphone

    Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Tuesday Feb 23, 2016

    On 24 February 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi 5 smartphone.


  • FIFA headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland
    Wednesday Feb 24, 2016
    Sepp Blatter

    FIFA Reduce The Suspension

    FIFA headquarters, Zurich, Switzerland
    Wednesday Feb 24, 2016

    In February 2016, a FIFA appeals committee upheld the suspension but reduced it from eight years to six.


  • Kyrgyzstan
    Mar, 2016
    Sooronbay Jeenbekov

    The First Deputy Head of The Presidential Administration

    Kyrgyzstan
    Mar, 2016

    In March 2016, he was appointed as First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration.


  • Redmond, Washington, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 1, 2016
    Microsoft

    Microsoft announced The merger of its PC and Xbox Divisions

    Redmond, Washington, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 1, 2016

    On March 1, 2016, Microsoft announced the merger of its PC and Xbox divisions, with Phil Spencer announcing that Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps would be the focus for Microsoft's gaming in the future.


  • Budapest, Hungary
    Mar, 2016
    Lacoste

    Opening a New Flagship Store In Budapest

    Budapest, Hungary
    Mar, 2016

    In March 2016, the company opened a new flagship store on Fashion Street in Budapest.


  • Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 1, 2016
    Uber

    UberEATS app with all-day delivery launches in Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 1, 2016

    On March 1, the new UberEATS app with all-day delivery launches in Los Angeles, California.


  • New York City, New York, U.S.
    Mar, 2016
    Muhammad Yunus

    He Was appointed To The High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth

    New York City, New York, U.S.
    Mar, 2016

    In March 2016, he was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to the High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth, which was co-chaired by presidents François Hollande of France and Jacob Zuma of South Africa.


  • California, United States
    Mar, 2016
    Oculus

    Facebook Itegration

    California, United States
    Mar, 2016

    Upon the acquisition of Oculus by Facebook Inc., Luckey "guaranteed" that "you won't need to log into your Facebook account every time you wanna use the Oculus Rift." Under its ownership, Oculus has been promoted as a brand of Facebook rather than an independent entity and has increasingly integrated Facebook platforms into Oculus products. Support for optional Facebook integration was added to Gear VR in March 2016, with a focus on integration with the social network, and integrations with features such as Facebook Video and social games.


  • Brazil
    Friday Mar 4, 2016
    Lula da Silva

    Brazilian authorities raided Lula's home

    Brazil
    Friday Mar 4, 2016

    On 4 March 2016, as part of "Operation Car Wash", Brazilian authorities raided Lula's home.


  • New York City, New York, U.S.
    Thursday Mar 3, 2016
    September 11 (9/11) Attacks

    World Trade Center station (PATH)

    New York City, New York, U.S.
    Thursday Mar 3, 2016

    The PATH train system's World Trade Center station was located under the complex. As a result, the entire station was demolished completely when the towers collapsed, and the tunnels leading to Exchange Place station in Jersey City, New Jersey were flooded with water. The station was rebuilt as the $4 billion World Trade Center Transportation Hub, which reopened in March 2015.


  • Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Tuesday Mar 8, 2016
    Xiaomi

    Redmi Note 3 launch in India

    Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Tuesday Mar 8, 2016

    On 9 March 2016, Xiaomi launched its Redmi Note 3 in India. It was a groundbreaking smartphone at the time in the budget segment and was well received by Indian customers. It made record sales on the year, and Xiaomi brand name continued to grow.


  • Nevada, U.S.
    Wednesday Mar 9, 2016
    Chumlee

    Chumlee's home was raided

    Nevada, U.S.
    Wednesday Mar 9, 2016

    On March 9, 2016, Chumlee's home was raided during the course of an investigation into sexual assault allegations. During searches of his residence, police found crystal meth, marijuana, Xanax, and multiple firearms. Evidence of possible cocaine use was also found. Subsequently, Chumlee was arrested.


  • U.S.
    Friday Mar 11, 2016
    Chumlee

    First appearance in court

    U.S.
    Friday Mar 11, 2016

    Chumlee was released on bond the following day. His first appearance in court was set for March 11, 2016.


  • Venezuela
    Monday Mar 14, 2016
    Bolivarian Revolution

    The International Policy Digest

    Venezuela
    Monday Mar 14, 2016

    According to the International Policy Digest, "the Bolivarian revolution is a failure not because its ideals were unachievable but because its leaders were as corrupt as those they decry", with the Bolivarian government relying on oil for its economy, essentially suffering from Dutch disease. As of 2016, Bolivarian Venezuela suffered from hyperinflation and a dramatic loss of jobs and income and a soaring murder rate.


  • Chicago, Houston and San Francisco
    Tuesday Mar 15, 2016
    Uber

    UberEATS launches in Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco

    Chicago, Houston and San Francisco
    Tuesday Mar 15, 2016

    On March 15, UberEATS launches in Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco, and announces plans to launch in a number of other US cities in the coming months.


  • Mountain View, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 15, 2016
    Google LLC

    Google announced The Introduction of Google Analytics 360 Suite

    Mountain View, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Mar 15, 2016

    On March 15, 2016, Google announced the introduction of Google Analytics 360 Suite, "a set of integrated data and marketing analytics products, designed specifically for the needs of enterprise-class marketers" which can be integrated with BigQuery on the Google Cloud Platform.


  • U.S.
    Mar, 2016
    Billie Eilish

    music video for "Ocean Eyes"

    U.S.
    Mar, 2016

    A music video for "Ocean Eyes" was released in March 2016.


  • Europe
    Monday Mar 21, 2016
    Visa Inc.

    The agreement was amended in response to the feedback of European Commission

    Europe
    Monday Mar 21, 2016

    On April 21, 2016 the agreement was amended in response to the feedback of European Commission.


  • Barcelona, Spain
    Thursday Mar 24, 2016
    Johan Cruyff

    Death

    Barcelona, Spain
    Thursday Mar 24, 2016

    On the morning of 24 March 2016, in a clinic in Barcelona, Cruyff died at the age of 68, surrounded by his wife, children, and grandchildren.


  • U.S.
    Mar, 2016
    Donald Trump

    Trump was poised to win the Republican nomination

    U.S.
    Mar, 2016

    By March 2016, Trump was poised to win the Republican nomination.


  • Hong Kong, China
    Monday Mar 28, 2016
    Hong Kong independence

    Hong Kong National Party

    Hong Kong, China
    Monday Mar 28, 2016

    Hong Kong National Party, the first party openly advocating for Hong Kong independence and a Republic of Hong Kong was established on 28 March 2016, drawing attacks from the Beijing and SAR governments. The State Council’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office issued a statement condemning the party, saying it "has harmed the country’s sovereignty, security, endangered the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, and the core interests of Hong Kong..."


  • California, U.S.
    Monday Mar 28, 2016
    Oculus

    Oculus Rift Release

    California, U.S.
    Monday Mar 28, 2016

    The Oculus Rift CV1, also known as simply the Oculus Rift, was the first consumer model of the Oculus Rift headset. It was released on March 28, 2016, in 20 countries, at a starting price of US$599. The 6,955 backers who received the Development Kit 1 prototype via the original Oculus Rift Kickstarter campaign were eligible to receive the CV1 model for free.


  • U.S.
    Thursday Mar 31, 2016
    Tesla, Inc.

    Tesla unveiled (Model 3)

    U.S.
    Thursday Mar 31, 2016

    On March 31, 2016, Tesla unveiled the car (Model 3).


  • Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
    Apr, 2016
    Ford

    A Ten-Year Building Project

    Dearborn, Michigan, U.S.
    Apr, 2016

    In April 2016, Ford announced a plan to modernize its Dearborn engineering and headquarters campuses through a ten-year building project.


  • Seattle, Washington, U.S.
    Apr, 2016
    BMW

    The ReachNow car-sharing service

    Seattle, Washington, U.S.
    Apr, 2016

    The ReachNow car-sharing service was launched in Seattle in April 2016.


  • Arlington, Texas, U.S.
    Sunday Apr 3, 2016
    Dwayne Johnson

    WrestleMania 32

    Arlington, Texas, U.S.
    Sunday Apr 3, 2016

    The Rock appeared at WrestleMania 32 where he announced that WWE had broken the all-time WrestleMania attendance record before being interrupted by The Wyatt Family. The Rock got into a verbal back-and-forth with Bray Wyatt before having an impromptu match with Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan. The Rock won after giving Rowan a Rock Bottom and pinning him in six seconds, which set the record for the fastest win in WrestleMania history.


  • San Francisco, California, United States
    Apr, 2016
    Reddit

    Reddit launches a new blocking tool

    San Francisco, California, United States
    Apr, 2016

    In April 2016, Reddit launches a new blocking tool in an attempt to curb online harassment. The tool allows a user to hide posts and comments from selected Redditors in addition to blocking private messages from those Redditors.


  • Arlington, Texas, U.S.
    Apr, 2016
    Shaquille O'Neal

    O'Neal participated in his first ever match

    Arlington, Texas, U.S.
    Apr, 2016

    In April 2016, O'Neal participated in his first ever match, when he was a surprise celebrity entry in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 32. O'Neal eliminated Damien Sandow, and had another confrontation with Big Show before being eliminated himself by most of the other wrestlers.


  • France
    2016
    Black Friday

    "Jour XXL" (XXL day) instead of Black Friday

    France
    2016

    In 2016, because of the terror attacks in Paris in November the year before, some retailers used the name "Jour XXL" (XXL day) instead of Black Friday.


  • United Kingdom
    2016
    Black Friday

    Total spending on online retail sites on Black Friday 2016 was £1.23bn

    United Kingdom
    2016

    Black Friday appears to be growing in popularity year on year in the UK. In 2016, total spending on online retail sites on Black Friday 2016 was £1.23bn, marking a +12.2% increase on the £1.1bn spent on the same day in 2015.


  • Palo Alto, California, U.S.
    Thursday Apr 7, 2016
    Tesla, Inc.

    Tesla reported over 325,000 reservations

    Palo Alto, California, U.S.
    Thursday Apr 7, 2016

    As of April 7, 2016, one week after the unveiling, Tesla reported over 325,000 reservations, representing sales of over US$14 billion.


  • Hong Kong China
    Sunday Apr 10, 2016
    Hong Kong independence

    Demosistō

    Hong Kong China
    Sunday Apr 10, 2016

    Demosistō, a political party mainly led by the former student leaders such as Joshua Wong and Nathan Law in the 2014 Occupy protests established on 10 April 2016, advocated a referendum to determine Hong Kong's sovereignty after 2047, when the "One Country, Two Systems" principle as promised in the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Hong Kong Basic Law is supposed to expire.


  • Asia
    Apr, 2016
    Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

    India and Bhutan

    Asia
    Apr, 2016

    In April 2016, the Duchess and her husband undertook a tour to India and Bhutan.


  • California, U.S.
    Sunday Apr 10, 2016
    Kevin Hart

    Hart co-hosted the 2016 MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne Johnson

    California, U.S.
    Sunday Apr 10, 2016

    In 2016, Hart co-hosted the 2016 MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne Johnson.


  • Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
    Uber

    Uber launches in Buenos Aires

    Buenos Aires, Argentina
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016

    Uber launches in Buenos Aires, Argentina amidst claims of illegality and taxi protests.


  • Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
    Facebook, Inc.

    Zuckerberg Outlined His 10 Year Vision

    Menlo Park, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016

    On April 12, 2016, Zuckerberg outlined his 10 year vision, which rested on three main pillars: artificial intelligence, increased global connectivity and virtual/augmented reality.


  • Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016
    Kobe Bryant

    The last game

    Los Angeles, California, U.S.
    Tuesday Apr 12, 2016

    In the season finale on April 13, Bryant scored an NBA season-high 60 points against Utah in his last NBA game, outscoring the entire Jazz team 23–21 in the fourth quarter, in the Lakers' 101–96 victory. He became the oldest player to score 60 or more points in a game at 37 years and 234 days old. The Lakers finished the season with a 17–65 record, their worst record in franchise history.


  • Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
    Wednesday Apr 13, 2016
    Sooronbay Jeenbekov

    The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan

    Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
    Wednesday Apr 13, 2016

    On 13 April 2016, he was appointment as Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan.


  • U.S. and Worldwide
    Friday Apr 15, 2016
    Bitcoin

    Bitcoin Core 0.12.1 was released

    U.S. and Worldwide
    Friday Apr 15, 2016

    Bitcoin Core 0.12.1 was released on April 15, 2016 and enabled multiple soft forks to occur concurrently.


  • U.S.
    Apr, 2016
    IBM

    A 14-year Low

    U.S.
    Apr, 2016

    In April 2016, it posted a 14-year low in quarterly sales.


  • Ecuador
    Saturday Apr 16, 2016
    Disasters with highest death tolls

    2016 Ecuador Earthquake

    Ecuador
    Saturday Apr 16, 2016

    The 2016 Ecuador earthquake occurred on April 16 at 18:58:37 ECT with a moment magnitude of 7.8 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). At least 676 people were killed and 16,600 people injured.


  • United Kingdom
    2016
    Anna May Wong

    The Fortunes

    United Kingdom
    2016

    In 2016, the novelist Peter Ho Davies published The Fortunes, a saga of Chinese-American experiences centered around four characters, one of whom is a fictionalized Anna May Wong, imagined from childhood until her death. In a conversation published in the 2017 paperback edition, Davies described his novel as an exploration of the Chinese-American quest for authenticity – a third way of being Chinese-American – with Anna May Wong representing an iconic example of that struggle.


  • The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
    Saturday Apr 23, 2016
    Prince Charles

    Charles appeared In a Comedy Sketch

    The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
    Saturday Apr 23, 2016

    On 23 April 2016, Charles appeared in a comedy sketch for the Royal Shakespeare Company's Shakespeare Live! at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, to commemorate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's death in 1616. The event was televised live by the BBC. Charles made a surprise entrance to settle the disputed delivery of Hamlet's celebrated line, "To be or not to be, that is the question".


  • San Francisco, California, United States
    2016
    Reddit

    Reddit released The Official App and the iOS App Store

    San Francisco, California, United States
    2016

    Reddit removed Alien Blue and released its official application, Reddit: The Official App, on Google Play and the iOS App Store in April 2016.


  • Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
    Tuesday Apr 26, 2016
    Nokia

    Nokia announced its intent to acquire Withings

    Issy-les-Moulineaux, France
    Tuesday Apr 26, 2016

    On 26 April 2016, Nokia announced its intent to acquire French connected health device maker Withings for US$191 million. The company was integrated into a new Digital Health unit of Nokia Technologies. Nokia later wrote off the cost of the acquisition and in May 2018 the health unit was sold back to Éric Carreel, a Withings co-founder and former CEO.


  • Kyoto, Japan
    Wednesday Apr 27, 2016
    Nintendo

    The NX information

    Kyoto, Japan
    Wednesday Apr 27, 2016

    At an investor's meeting on 27 April 2016, Nintendo announced that the NX would be released worldwide in March 2017. In an interview with Asahi Shimbun in May 2016, Kimishima stated that the NX was a new concept that would not succeed in the 3DS or Wii U product lines. At a shareholders' meeting following E3 2016, Shigeru Miyamoto stated that the company chose not to present the NX during the conference due to concerns that competitors could copy from it if they revealed it too soon. The same day, Kimishima also revealed during a Q&A session with investors that they were also researching virtual reality.


  • St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
    Thursday Apr 28, 2016
    Garry Kasparov

    The Ultimate Blitz Challenge

    St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
    Thursday Apr 28, 2016

    On Thursday 28 April and Friday 29 April 2016 at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis, Kasparov played a 6-round exhibition blitz round-robin tournament with Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, and Hikaru Nakamura in an event called the Ultimate Blitz Challenge.


  • India
    Apr, 2016
    Narendra Damodardas Modi

    Ujjwala scheme

    India
    Apr, 2016

    Modi launched Ujjwala scheme to provide free LPG connection to rural households. The scheme led to an increase in LPG consumption by 56% in 2019 as compared to 2014. In 2019, a law was passed to provide 10% reservation to Economically weaker sections.


  • Austin, Texas, U.S.
    Monday May 9, 2016
    Uber

    Uber and Lyft cease operations in Austin

    Austin, Texas, U.S.
    Monday May 9, 2016

    On May 9, Uber and Lyft cease operations in Austin, Texas. This is in response to a city ordinance upheld by Austin voters on May 7 that would require drivers for Uber, Lyft, and other transportation network companies to get fingerprint checks, to have their vehicles labeled, and to not pick up and drop off in certain city lanes.


  • Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Monday May 9, 2016
    Xiaomi

    Mi Max launch

    Anningzhuang Rd, Haidian District, Beijing, China
    Monday May 9, 2016

    On 10 May 2016, Xiaomi launched the Mi Max.


  • Beijing, China
    Thursday May 12, 2016
    Apple Inc.

    Investing in DiDi

    Beijing, China
    Thursday May 12, 2016

    On May 12, 2016, Apple Inc., invested $1 billion in DiDi, a Chinese transportation network company.


  • U.S.
    Tuesday May 17, 2016
    DC Comics

    The new logo

    U.S.
    Tuesday May 17, 2016

    DC Entertainment announced a new identity and logo for another iconic DC Comics universe brand on May 17, 2016. The new logo was first used on May 25, 2016, in conjunction with the release of DC Universe: Rebirth Special #1 by Geoff Johns.


  • Espoo, Finland
    Wednesday May 18, 2016
    Nokia

    Microsoft Mobile sold its Nokia-branded feature phone business to HMD Global

    Espoo, Finland
    Wednesday May 18, 2016

    On 18 May 2016, Microsoft Mobile sold its Nokia-branded feature phone business to HMD Global, a new company founded by former Nokia executive Jean-Francois Baril, and an associated factory in Vietnam to Foxconn's FIH Mobile subsidiary. Nokia subsequently entered into a long-term licensing deal to make HMD the exclusive manufacturer of Nokia-branded phones and tablets outside Japan, operating in conjunction with Foxconn. The deal also granted HMD the right to essential patents and featurephone software.


  • Japan
    Thursday May 19, 2016
    Hachikō

    The Reunion

    Japan
    Thursday May 19, 2016

    On 19 May 2016 during the ceremony at the Aoyama Cemetery with both Ueno and Sakano families in present, some of the ashes of Yaeko Sakano were buried with Ueno and Hachikō, her name and the date of her death was inscribed on the side of his tombstone, thus fulfilling the reunion of Hachikō's family.


  • London, England, United Kingdom
    May, 2016
    Angelina Jolie

    A Visiting Professor

    London, England, United Kingdom
    May, 2016

    In May 2016, Jolie was appointed a visiting professor at the London School of Economics to contribute to a postgraduate degree program at the university's Centre on Women, Peace, and Security, which she had launched with Hague the previous year.


  • U.S.
    Monday May 23, 2016
    Chumlee

    Chumlee was charged with 20 felony counts

    U.S.
    Monday May 23, 2016

    On May 23, 2016, Chumlee was charged with 20 felony counts, including drug and weapons charges. David Chesnoff, Russell's lawyer, confirmed that the reality TV star pled guilty to a felony weapons charge (unlawful possession of a firearm) and a gross misdemeanor of attempted drug possession in a deal which calls for three years of probation and counseling.


  • New York City, New York, U.S.
    Monday May 23, 2016
    Bank of America

    Intentional breach of contract

    New York City, New York, U.S.
    Monday May 23, 2016

    On May 23, 2016, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the finding of fact by the jury that low-quality mortgages were supplied by Countrywide to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in the "Hustle" case supported only "intentional breach of contract", not a fraud. The action, for civil fraud, relied on provisions of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act. The decision turned on lack of intent to defraud at the time the contract to supply mortgages was made.


<