On this day: April 16

Ancient skeleton discovered with a metal prosthetic limb

Archaeologists uncovered a human skeleton fitted with a metal prosthetic limb during excavations; the find provides rare evidence of prosthetic use and medical care in antiquity, though its exact age and cultural context are subject to ongoing analysis.

First recorded airplane hijacking occurred on April 16, 1931

On April 16, 1931, what is widely described as the first recorded airplane hijacking took place when a Romanian airline pilot was forced to divert a flight; the incident marks an early case in aviation criminal history though some details remain disputed.

The First Documented Case of Dangerous Cosmetic Poisoning, April 16, 1869

On April 16, 1869, the earliest widely cited recorded instance of severe poisoning from cosmetic use was documented when a woman in the 19th century suffered mercury poisoning after applying a popular whitening ointment; the case highlighted risks from unregulated cosmetic compounds.