January 16, 1847 - John C. Fremont becomes governor of the California territory. He was a leader in the effort to grab California from Mexico.

January 16, 1861 - A bill that would prove to be the last chance to prevent the separation of the North and South, the Crittenden Compromise, does not pass the U.S. House of Representatives. The compromise would have allowed slavery in the District of Columbia, forbidden federal interference with interstate slave trade, and provided compensation to owners whose slaves managed to make their way to a free state.

January 16, 1866 - Everett Barney receives a patent for the metal screw, clamp skate.

 

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January 16, 1896 - The first 5 player college basketball game is played in Iowa City, Iowa.

January 16, 1919 - The 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution becomes law. It deals with the issues of prohibition, the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes."

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal'" -