1. On October 16, 1793, the cornerstone of the Baltimore Cathedral, also known as the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, was laid. It is the first Catholic cathedral built in the United States.

2. In 1859, John Brown and his group of followers, in an attempt to start a slave rebellion, raided the U.S. arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia), which was less than 60 miles southwest of Baltimore. The event is considered a precursor to the American Civil War.

3. On October 16, 1901, the Maryland Agricultural College (now the University of Maryland, College Park) played its first football game against the United States Naval Academy. Although the school lost, it marked the beginning of a longstanding football rivalry between the two institutions.

4. In 1963, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Dave McNally struck out the Los Angeles Dodgers' Willie Davis for the final out of game 4 of the World Series, earning the Orioles their first-ever championship.

5. On October 16, 1978, the Baltimore Colts defeated the Miami Dolphins 45-28 at Memorial Stadium, marking quarterback Bert Jones' return to the field after a long injury-induced absence. The game is also notable for a touchdown pass from Jones to wide receiver Roger Carr, which covered 99 yards, a record that stood until 2020.