1. On December 16, 1773, a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded three British ships in Boston Harbor and dumped 342 chests of tea into the water. This event, known as the Boston Tea Party, was a significant act of rebellion against British rule and helped precipitate the American Revolution.

2. In 1835, the Great Fire of New York broke out on December 16, destroying over 600 buildings and causing millions of dollars in damages. The fire began in a warehouse on Merchant Street and quickly spread through the city, ultimately prompting new building codes and fire safety regulations.

3. On December 16, 1960, singer Elvis Presley was honored by the New York City Police Department for his contributions to law enforcement, particularly for his support of the Memphis Police Department. Presley received a plaque and was made an honorary captain in the NYPD.

4. In 1991, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the New York Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief on December 16. The declaration reaffirmed the importance of religious freedom and called on member states to protect people from discrimination and persecution based on their beliefs.

5. On December 16, 2004, police officer James Nemorin and detective Rodney Andrews were shot and killed by members of a criminal gang in Staten Island. The incident prompted calls for tougher gun laws and more aggressive measures to combat organized crime in New York City.