1. On December 16, 1773, a group of Pennsylvania colonists led by Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty held a protest against the British Tea Act which imposed taxes on tea. They threw several chests of tea into the Delaware River, an event that is now known as the Philadelphia Tea Party.

2. On December 16, 1835, the Great Fire of Pittsburgh broke out, which destroyed over one thousand buildings and left thousands homeless. It was one of the most devastating fires in U.S. history at the time.

3. December 16, 1907 saw the birth of Arthur Conley in McIntosh County, Georgia. He was a soul singer known for his hit songs "Sweet Soul Music" and "Funky Street."

4. On December 16, 1953, the Scranton Transit Company ended its trolley service in Scranton, Pennsylvania, after nearly 60 years in operation. The company switched to buses to keep up with changing transportation needs.

5. December 16, 1994 saw the founding of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. NAFSA is the world's largest nonprofit association dedicated to international education and serves as a global network for professionals in the field.