On September 16, 1893 the Cherokee Strip land rush took place in the Oklahoma Territory as settlers dashed to stake claims on what had been Native American lands. The 1893 rush, the largest of several, involved an area that had been purchased from the Cherokee Nation for about 8 million dollars. Image via Wikipedia Commons, public domain in the US

Woman working on ordnance, General Motors Corp. in Pontiac, Michigan c. 1941 On September 16, 1908 General Motors was founded. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A daguerreotype of American historian Francis Parkman who according to Edward Eggleston: “belongs distinctly to the class of learned historical scholars who are also skillful and charming writers. His books, to borrow a phrase from Augustin Thierry, are important ‘additions to historical science, and at the same time works of literary art.’” Francis Parkman was born on September 16, 1823 in Boston, Massachusetts. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

September 16, 1630 is considered to be the date when the people of the village of Shawmut changed the name of their community to Boston. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Classic Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall was born on September 16, 1924. First a model, then an actor, her first film at age 19 was “To Have and Have Not” with future husband, Humphrey Bogart. The two are shown here in 1947’s “Dark Passage.” Image via Wikimedia Commons, no known copyright, public domain in the US

J.C. Penney was born on September 16, 1875 in Hamilton, Missouri. In 1902 James Cash Penney became an owner of a new Golden Rule Store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. A few years later the store moved to an adjacent corner building for expansion. In 1913, it became the first “J.C. Penney” store after the company was incorporated. Photo: James Cash Penney circa 1902 via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signing the Selective Training and Service Act on September 16, 1940. via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

On today’s date September 16, 1782, the Great Seal of the United States was used on a document to negotiate a prisoner of war agreement with Great Britain. It was the very first official use of The Great Seal of The United States of America. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

A day after it was performed for the first time in Boston, the classic song “One Horse Open Sleigh” was published on September 16, 1857. It’s better known as “Jingle Bells.” Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Peter Falk was born on September 16, 1927 in New York City. Image: Senior portrait of Falk from his 1945 Ossining High School yearbook, public domain via Wikimedia Commons

BB King c. 1949-1950 around the time he had a regular spot on the Memphis radio station WDIA when he was given the name “Beale Street Blues Boy” which evolved into simply “BB” BB King was born on September 16, 1925 in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Image via Alamy

On September 16, 1979 the Sugarhill Gang released their hit song “Rapper’s Delight.”

Image via Alamy

A day after the British successfully land at Kip’s Bay in lower Manhattan, George Washington and troops fiercely defend upper Manhattan at Harlem Heights on September 16, 1776. Image: The Battle of Harlem Heights, September 16, 1776 via NYPL Digital Collections, no known restrictions