Tag Archives: 1916

19 November 1916

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Samuel Goldwyn and Edgar Selwyn establish Goldwyn Pictures.

Goldwyn Pictures Corporation, established in 1916, was a significant early player in the burgeoning American film industry. Founded by Samuel Goldfish (later Samuel Goldwyn), Edgar Selwyn, and Archibald Selwyn, the company’s iconic roaring lion logo, created by publicist Howard Dietz, became a hallmark of quality in filmmaking. Despite its ambitious productions and attempts to compete with major studios, Goldwyn Pictures struggled with financial and organizational challenges. In 1924, the company was acquired by Marcus Loew and merged with Metro Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer Productions, forming Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of the most iconic studios in Hollywood history. Though the Goldwyn Pictures name ceased to exist after the merger, its legacy endures, particularly through the contributions of Samuel Goldwyn and the lion logo, which remains a symbol of cinematic excellence under MGM.

16 August 1916

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The Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States is signed.

The Migratory Bird Treaty between Canada and the United States is a historic agreement signed on August 16, 1916, aimed at protecting migratory bird species that cross international borders between the two countries. The treaty was a response to the severe decline in bird populations due to overhunting and habitat destruction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Protection of Migratory Birds: The treaty established that migratory birds and their eggs could not be hunted, captured, sold, or traded without proper authorization. This was a significant step toward conserving bird species that migrate between Canada and the United States.

Cooperative Conservation Efforts: The treaty fostered cooperation between the two countries in conserving bird habitats, managing bird populations, and conducting scientific research.

Legal Framework: The treaty provided a legal framework for both countries to enact and enforce laws protecting migratory birds. In the United States, it led to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which is still in effect today.

Amendments and Extensions: Over the years, the treaty has been amended and extended to include additional species and to address new conservation challenges. Other countries, such as Mexico, Japan, and Russia, have also signed similar treaties with the United States to protect migratory birds.

29 June 1916

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British diplomat turned Irish nationalist Roger Casement is sentenced to death for his part in the Easter Rising.

Roger Casement, a British diplomat who turned into an Irish nationalist, is a fascinating and complex historical figure. He was born on September 1, 1864, in Dublin, Ireland. Casement had a distinguished career as a British consul and became renowned for his humanitarian work, particularly his reports exposing atrocities in the Congo Free State and the Putumayo region in Peru. These reports highlighted the exploitation and abuse of indigenous peoples and brought international attention to human rights issues.

Despite his successful career in the British diplomatic service, Casement’s nationalist sentiments grew over time. He became increasingly involved in the Irish independence movement, seeking to free Ireland from British rule. Casement played a significant role in the planning and execution of the Easter Rising, an armed insurrection against British rule that took place in Dublin in April 1916.

Casement’s involvement in the Easter Rising included efforts to secure German support for the rebellion. He traveled to Germany to negotiate for arms and assistance, believing that Germany’s involvement could tip the balance in favor of the Irish rebels. However, his mission faced numerous challenges, and the anticipated German aid did not materialize as planned.

In April 1916, shortly before the Easter Rising began, Casement was captured by British authorities in County Kerry, Ireland, after being discovered at Banna Strand following his return from Germany. He was arrested, tried for treason, and sentenced to death. Casement’s trial was highly publicized and controversial, with debates surrounding his patriotism, loyalty, and the legitimacy of his actions.

On August 3, 1916, Roger Casement was executed by hanging at Pentonville Prison in London. His execution provoked strong reactions, both in Ireland and internationally. While some viewed him as a traitor to the British Crown, others saw him as a martyr for Irish independence. Casement’s legacy remains contentious, reflecting the complexities of his life, his contributions to human rights, and his dedication to the cause of Irish nationalism.

29 April 1916

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Easter Rising: After six days of fighting, Irish rebel leaders surrender to British forces in Dublin, bringing the Easter Rising to an end.

The 1916 Easter Rising was a pivotal event in Irish history, marking a significant armed rebellion against British rule in Ireland. It began on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, and lasted for six days.

Ireland had been under English, and later British, rule for centuries, with numerous uprisings occurring over the years. By the early 20th century, the push for Irish independence gained momentum, particularly with the formation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) and other nationalist groups.

The Easter Rising was primarily orchestrated by the IRB, along with the Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizen Army. These groups aimed to end British rule in Ireland and establish an independent Irish Republic. The leaders believed that a successful rebellion, even if initially small, could inspire broader support for independence.

The rebellion began on Easter Monday when approximately 1,200 rebels seized strategic locations in Dublin, including the General Post Office (GPO) which became the headquarters of the uprising. Patrick Pearse, one of the key leaders, read the Proclamation of the Irish Republic outside the GPO, declaring Ireland’s independence from the United Kingdom.

The British military response was swift and forceful. They deployed thousands of troops, along with artillery and a gunboat on the River Liffey, to suppress the rebellion. After six days of fighting, the rebels were overwhelmed by superior British forces.

The leaders of the Rising were executed in the weeks following the rebellion, which initially caused public sentiment to be somewhat against the rebels due to the disruption and destruction caused. However, the harsh penalties imposed by the British, including the executions, shifted public opinion in favor of the rebels. This shift played a crucial role in the subsequent rise of the Sinn Féin party and the Irish War of Independence from 1919 to 1921, which eventually led to the establishment of the Irish Free State in 1922.

The Easter Rising is remembered as a turning point in Irish history, a symbol of the struggle for independence, and a demonstration of the Irish desire for self-determination. Annually, it is commemorated across Ireland, particularly in Dublin at the GPO, where the proclamation was first read.

24 January 1916

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In Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co., the Supreme Court of the United States declares the federal income tax constitutional.

Brushaber v. Union Pacific Railroad Co. (240 U.S. 1) was a United States Supreme Court case that dealt with the constitutionality of the federal income tax imposed by the Revenue Act of 1913. Charles Brushaber, the plaintiff, argued that the income tax was unconstitutional because it violated the Constitution’s provisions regarding direct taxes.

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision, upheld the constitutionality of the income tax. The court held that the tax was an indirect tax and did not need to be apportioned among the states based on population, as direct taxes would have. This decision played a significant role in establishing the constitutionality of the federal income tax.