In the news today
News from around the world
On your calendar this August 16
Name day today: Saint of the day
Today we celebrate Armel, Roch
Astrological sign: Leo (July 23 - August 22)
Every year on August 16:
- Restoration Day (Dominican Republic)
What day of the week is August 16, 2026?
August 16, 2026 is a Sunday
Ongoing holidays and events
August 7-30: Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
August 7-31: Fringe Festival, celebration of arts and culture, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
August 10-16: European Athletics Championships, Birmingham (United Kingdom)
August 11-23: World Equestrian Championships, Aachen (Germany)
August 12-16: Feria de Dax (France)
It happened on August 16
August 16, 1914: The Battle of Cer begins in Serbia between Serbian forces and those of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It will be the first Allied victory.
August 16, 1960: The Republic of Cyprus becomes independent from the United Kingdom.
August 16, 2016: China launches into space the very first quantum communication satellite. It will be nicknamed Mozi, in honor of the 5th-century BC Chinese philosopher.
News of the week and month
This week
August 10 - August 11 - August 12 - August 13 - August 14 - August 15 - August 16
Selection of events, dates, holidays and public holidays for August
Holidays, public holidays and festivals
- July 30 to August 1: Pol’and’Rock Festival, Czaplinek-Broczyno (Poland)
- August 7: Battle of Boyacá, Colombia
- August 7-30: Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
- August 7-31: Fringe Festival, celebration of arts and culture, Edinburgh (United Kingdom)
- August 8: Street Parade Techno Party, Zurich (Switzerland)
- August 11-15: Sziget Festival, Budapest, Hungary
- August 12: Total solar eclipse, visible notably in Greenland, Iceland, Spain and a small part of Portugal
- August 12-16: Feria de Dax (France)
- August 15: Assumption, the elevation of the Virgin Mary to heaven
- August 25 (date may vary depending on lunar observation): Mawlid an-Nabi: Birth of the Prophet Muhammad
- August 26: La Tomatina Festival in Buñol (Spain)
National days
- August 1: Benin Independence Day
- August 1: Swiss National Day
- August 6: Bolivia Independence Day
- August 6: Jamaica Independence Day
- August 7: Ivory Coast Independence Day
- August 9: Singapore National Day
- August 10: Ecuador Independence Day
- August 11: Chad Independence Day
- August 14: Pakistan Independence Day
- August 15: Congo Independence Day (Republic of the Congo)
- August 15: Liberation Day (Gwangbokjeol) of South Korea
- August 15: India Independence Day
- August 15: Liechtenstein National Day
- August 15: National Acadian Day
- August 17: Gabon Independence Day
- August 17: Indonesia Independence Day
- August 24: Ukraine Independence Day
- August 25: Uruguay Declaration of Independence
- August 27: Moldova Independence Day
- August 31: Kyrgyzstan Independence Day
- August 31: Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) of Malaysia
National and international days
- August 1: International Belgian Fries Day
- August 7 (1st Friday of August): International Beer Day
- August 8: International Cat Day
- August 9: International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
- August 12: International Youth Day
- August 13: International Left-Handers Day
- August 19: World Humanitarian Day
- August 21: International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism
- August 22: International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief
- August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
- August 26: International Dog Day
- August 29: International Day Against Nuclear Tests
- August 30: International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances
- August 31: International Day for People of African Descent
Sporting competitions
- August 1-9: Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift
- August 10-16: European Athletics Championships, Birmingham (United Kingdom)
- August 11-23: World Equestrian Championships, Aachen (Germany)
- August 12: UEFA Super Cup, Salzburg (Austria)
- August 20-23: Opening round of the 2026/27 Ligue 1 season in France
- August 21-23: Dutch Grand Prix, Zandvoort Circuit
- August 21 to September 6: Women's EuroVolley, European women's volleyball championship in Azerbaijan, Czechia, Sweden and Turkey
- August 22 to September 13: Vuelta a España cycling race (Spain)
- August 23 to September 13: US Open in New York (USA)
Sunrise and sunset
Today's sunrise and sunset times
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