1. On December 16, 1773, a group of colonists from Connecticut disguised themselves as Native Americans and boarded a ship in Boston Harbor filled with tea imported by the British East India Company. They proceeded to dump hundreds of chests of tea into the harbor in protest of British taxation without representation.

2. The Hartford Convention, a series of secret meetings held by New England Federalist politicians during the War of 1812, began on December 16, 1814 in Hartford, Connecticut. The convention aimed to discuss grievances and consider secession from the United States, but ultimately resulted in a loss of credibility for the Federalist party and contributed to their decline in national politics.

3. On December 16, 1901, the African American Baptist Church was founded in Hartford to provide a place of worship for Black residents who were excluded from segregated white churches. The church became a center for social and political activism, hosting rallies and meetings for civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr.

4. On December 16, 1922, the Hollister Lumber Company Mill in Winsted, Connecticut was destroyed in a fire that caused over $500,000 in damage. The mill was the largest employer in the town and its destruction had a significant impact on the local economy.

5. In 1978, on December 16, the Hartford Civic Center hosted a world championship boxing match between heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and challenger Leon Spinks. Spinks won the fight in a split decision, becoming the first fighter to defeat Ali since his return to the ring three years prior.