Which event does this 1793 photograph show?

A queen is driven through the streets in an open cart and beheaded (1793). Marie Antoinette was guillotined on 16 October 1793, nine months after her husband. She was taken to the scaffold in an open cart rather than a closed carriage, her hair cut short and her hands tied. Her last recorded words were an apology to the executioner for treading on his foot.

Which event does this 1968 photograph show?

Two medallists raise gloved fists on the podium and are sent home (1968). Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists during the anthem on 16 October 1968 and were expelled from the games within days. They had one pair of gloves between them, which is why one raised a right fist and one a left. The Australian on the silver step, Peter Norman, wore their protest badge in support and was quietly frozen out of Australian athletics.

Which event does this 1846 photograph show?

A dentist puts a patient to sleep with a vapour and surgery stops being torture (1846). William Morton gave ether to a patient at Massachusetts General Hospital on 16 October 1846 while a tumour was removed from his neck. The surgeon, who had expected a fraud, turned to the gallery and said gentlemen, this is no humbug. Within months the news had crossed the Atlantic and surgery changed completely.

Which event does this 1978 photograph show?

A Polish cardinal is elected pope, the first non-Italian in 455 years (1978). Karol Wojtyla was elected on 16 October 1978, at 58 the youngest pope in 132 years and the first non-Italian since 1523. It was the second conclave in seven weeks, because his predecessor had died after thirty-three days. He went on to reign for almost 27 years and visited 129 countries.

Which event does this 1859 photograph show?

An abolitionist seizes an arsenal hoping to arm a slave revolt (1859). John Brown and eighteen men seized the federal armoury at Harpers Ferry on the night of 16 October 1859, expecting enslaved people across the region to rise and join them. Nobody came. Marines under Robert E. Lee stormed the building within 36 hours. Brown was hanged in December, and both sides of the coming war took him as proof of what the other intended.

What happened on October 16? the execution of Marie Antoinette, the Mexico City salute and 3 more

What happened on October 16

All 5 specimens from this file, spanning 1793 to 1978, with the story behind each photograph.

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History · 1793

A queen is driven through the streets in an open cart and beheaded

Marie Antoinette was guillotined on 16 October 1793, nine months after her husband. She was taken to the scaffold in an open cart rather than a closed carriage, her hair cut short and her hands tied. Her last recorded words were an apology to the executioner for treading on his foot.
Sports · 1968

Two medallists raise gloved fists on the podium and are sent home

Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised gloved fists during the anthem on 16 October 1968 and were expelled from the games within days. They had one pair of gloves between them, which is why one raised a right fist and one a left. The Australian on the silver step, Peter Norman, wore their protest badge in support and was quietly frozen out of Australian athletics.
Science · 1846

A dentist puts a patient to sleep with a vapour and surgery stops being torture

William Morton gave ether to a patient at Massachusetts General Hospital on 16 October 1846 while a tumour was removed from his neck. The surgeon, who had expected a fraud, turned to the gallery and said gentlemen, this is no humbug. Within months the news had crossed the Atlantic and surgery changed completely.
Religion · 1978

A Polish cardinal is elected pope, the first non-Italian in 455 years

Karol Wojtyla was elected on 16 October 1978, at 58 the youngest pope in 132 years and the first non-Italian since 1523. It was the second conclave in seven weeks, because his predecessor had died after thirty-three days. He went on to reign for almost 27 years and visited 129 countries.
History · 1859

An abolitionist seizes an arsenal hoping to arm a slave revolt

John Brown and eighteen men seized the federal armoury at Harpers Ferry on the night of 16 October 1859, expecting enslaved people across the region to rise and join them. Nobody came. Marines under Robert E. Lee stormed the building within 36 hours. Brown was hanged in December, and both sides of the coming war took him as proof of what the other intended.