October 16th: This Day In History (world history).

October 16, 2024 EMMANUEL ADEBAYO AJIBOLA

October 16 has been a day marked by significant historical milestones, spanning religious, political, and social landscapes. In the realm of Christianity, this date carries particular resonance, especially in Africa, where religious leaders and figures have played transformative roles. But beyond religious events, October 16 has also witnessed pivotal moments in African political history

October 16 stands as a reminder of the complex and interconnected narratives of African and global history. Each event, whether driven by faith, politics, or economic forces, leaves a lasting mark on the world’s collective memory.

2021: Death of Nigerian televangelist Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua (T.B. Joshua): Although he passed away on June 5, 2021, his burial was commemorated on October 16 at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN) in Lagos, Nigeria. As a highly influential pastor, T.B. Joshua had a profound impact on the charismatic Christian movement in Africa through his ministry and healing services.

1964: Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) consecrates its first Roman Catholic cardinal: Joseph-Albert Malula became the first Congolese cardinal in the Roman Catholic Church, representing the rise of African leadership in the church. His work emphasised African identity within Christianity, and he became a key figure in shaping postcolonial Christian theology in Africa.

1984: Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle against apartheid. His Christian faith and commitment to justice made him a prominent figure in the global church and a moral voice in the anti-apartheid movement. Tutu’s advocacy for peace and reconciliation deeply influenced South African society and Christian activism worldwide.

1846: The Great Disappointment in the Millerite Movement: William Miller, a Baptist preacher, predicted that Jesus Christ would return to Earth on October 16, 1846. When this did not occur, it led to the “great disappointment,” a significant moment in the history of American Adventists and other apocalyptic movements.

1555: English Protestant martyrs Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley are burnt at the stake. These two bishops were executed during the reign of Queen Mary I of England for their Protestant beliefs, becoming prominent figures in the history of the English Reformation and martyrs for the Anglican Church.

The burning of Latimer and Ridley, from the Book of Martyrs by John Foxe (1563)

1591: Death of Saint Teresa of Ávila: The Spanish mystic and Carmelite reformer Saint Teresa of Ávila, a central figure in the Counter-Reformation, passed away on this date. She is remembered for her profound writings on Christian mysticism and prayer, particularly her work The Interior Castle.

1943: The Roman Catholic Church canonises Margaret Mary Alacoque: Margaret Mary Alacoque, a French Roman Catholic nun and mystic, was canonised for her visions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and her promotion of devotion to the Sacred Heart, a key aspect of Catholic spirituality.

1978: Pope John Paul II is elected: Karol Józef Wojtyła, the Archbishop of Krakow, became Pope John Paul II. He was the first non-Italian pope in over 450 years and served as a highly influential spiritual leader, playing a key role in the fall of communism in Eastern Europe and promoting interfaith dialogue. His papacy lasted until he died in 2005.

1987: Black Monday stock market crash: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped by 22.6%, one of the largest single-day percentage declines in stock market history. The crash had global repercussions on financial markets.

1995: The Million Man March in Washington, D.C. Organised by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, this historic march sought to bring attention to issues facing African American men and to promote unity, atonement, and empowerment.