On September 16, 1982, a devastating massacre began in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in west Beirut, Lebanon. Over the course of three days, more than 1,300 Palestinian men, women, and children were killed by Israeli-allied Christian Phalange militiamen. This event marked one of the most tragic chapters in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has had lasting implications for the region.
The massacre occurred during the Lebanese Civil War, a period marked by intense violence and political turmoil. The Phalange, a Lebanese Christian militia, was supported by Israel, which had invaded Lebanon earlier that year. As Israeli forces surrounded the camps, the Phalange entered and committed atrocities against the civilian population. The aftermath of the massacre ignited international outrage and condemnation, significantly affecting perceptions of Israel’s role in the conflict.
Significant Events on September 16
This date is also notable for other historical events. In 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, called upon his parishioners to rebel against Spanish colonial rule, marking the onset of the Mexican War of Independence. His rallying cry initiated a movement that would ultimately lead to Mexico’s independence from Spain.
In 1893, the largest land rush in U.S. history took place as over 100,000 settlers claimed more than 6 million acres of land in present-day northern Oklahoma. This event dramatically reshaped the landscape of the American West.
Further significant moments include the founding of General Motors in 1908 by William C. Durant in Flint, Michigan, and the opening of the Metropolitan Opera’s new house at Lincoln Center in 1966, featuring the world premiere of Samuel Barber’s “Antony and Cleopatra.”
Notable Birthdays and Recent Events
September 16 also marks the birthdays of several notable individuals. George Chakiris, the Academy Award-winning actor, turns 93 today. Other celebrants include actor Ed Begley Jr. at 76, country music star David Bellamy at 75, and baseball Hall of Famer Robin Yount at 70.
In recent news, the investigation into the tragic shooting rampage at the Washington Navy Yard in 2013 continues to be a topic of concern, as does the ongoing fallout from events involving high-profile figures such as O.J. Simpson, who faced legal troubles in 2007 related to an armed robbery.
As the world reflects on the events of September 16, it serves as a reminder of the profound impact historical tragedies have on contemporary society and the importance of acknowledging the stories of those affected by violence and conflict.
