This Day in History: March 16

597 BC: Babylonians capture Jerusalem, replace Jehoiachin with Zedekiah as king

In 597 BC, the Babylonians, led by King Nebuchadnezzar II, captured Jerusalem and replaced the Judean king Jehoiachin with his uncle Zedekiah. This event marked the beginning of the Babylonian Captivity, a period of exile for the Jewish people.

1527: Battle of Khanua: Mughal Emperor Babur defeats Rajput forces led by Rana Sanga consolidating Mughal power

In 1527, the Battle of Khanua took place in India between the Mughal Emperor Babur and the Rajput forces led by Rana Sanga. Babur's victory helped consolidate Mughal power in India and paved the way for the establishment of the Mughal Empire.

1660: English Long Parliament disbands

In 1660, the English Long Parliament, which had been in power since 1640, was dissolved by King Charles II. This event marked the end of the English Civil War and the beginning of the Restoration period in English history.

1792: King Gustav III of Sweden is shot by Count Jacob Johan Anckarström at a masked ball at the Opera; he dies on March 29

In 1792, King Gustav III of Sweden was shot by Count Jacob Johan Anckarström at a masked ball at the Opera. The assassination was part of a conspiracy against the king and resulted in his death on March 29.

1867: First publication of an article by Joseph Lister outlining the discovery of antiseptic surgery, in "The Lancet"

In 1867, the British surgeon Joseph Lister published an article in "The Lancet" outlining his discovery of antiseptic surgery. Lister's work revolutionized surgical practices and greatly reduced the risk of infections during surgery.

1926: Robert Goddard launches the first liquid-fuel rocket

In 1926, American physicist and inventor Robert Goddard launched the first liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. This event marked a major milestone in the development of rocket technology and paved the way for space exploration.

1935: Adolf Hitler orders German re-armament in violation of The Treaty of Versailles

In 1935, Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, ordered the re-armament of the country in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. This event marked a significant step in the build-up to World War II.

1960: Alfred Hitchcock's movie Psycho is premiered

In 1960, the movie Psycho, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, was premiered. The film, which starred Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh, is considered a classic of the suspense movie genre.

1968: U.S. troops massacre hundreds of unarmed civilians in Vietnam

In 1968, during the Vietnam War, American troops massacred hundreds of unarmed civilians in the village of My Lai. The victims, many of whom were women, children, and elderly people, were shot, stabbed, and beaten to death. The event became known as the My Lai Massacre and sparked outrage around the world.