Overview

2016 (MMXVI) was a leap year that began on a Friday in the Gregorian calendar. It is catalogued as the 2016th year of the Common Era (CE) and of the Anno Domini era (AD), the 16th year of the 3rd millennium (millennium), the 16th year of the 21st century (century) and the 7th year of the 2010s decade (decade). As a calendar year it was a leap year (leap year) starting on Friday (calendar start) under the rules of the Gregorian calendar (Gregorian).

Major global events

The year featured a number of high-profile political, social and scientific developments. National referendums and elections produced far-reaching outcomes; geopolitical conflicts and terrorist incidents affected several regions; and significant agreements and scientific announcements shaped international agendas.

  • Politics: The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in a June referendum (commonly called "Brexit"), and the United States held a presidential election in November that resulted in a change of administration.
  • Security and conflict: Multiple terrorist attacks in cities across Europe and elsewhere prompted security responses and ongoing debates about policy and integration.
  • Environment and diplomacy: The Paris Agreement on climate change moved forward with further signatures and national commitments during the year.
  • Health and science: The spread of the Zika virus in parts of the Americas attracted international public-health attention; researchers also announced the first direct detection of gravitational waves, a major milestone in physics.
  • Economics and leaks: Large-scale data disclosures and investigative reports brought new attention to offshore financial practices.

Notable events, culture and sports

2016 saw a range of cultural phenomena and sporting highlights. The Summer Olympic Games were held in Rio de Janeiro, attracting worldwide participation and coverage. In popular culture, mobile games and streaming services continued to change how audiences engage with content. Several widely publicized crimes and disasters also marked the year and led to public debates about safety and policy.

  • Rio 2016 Summer Olympics — a major international sporting event.
  • High-profile criminal attacks and mass-casualty incidents that prompted security reviews.
  • Popular mobile applications and new media trends that shaped entertainment consumption.

Notable deaths

The year included the passing of a number of influential public figures from the worlds of music, sport, politics and the arts, events that received extensive international coverage and remembrance.

  • Prominent musicians and cultural icons whose deaths were widely reported.
  • Major political leaders from various nations who died after long careers in public life.

Legacy and observances

Beyond immediate headlines, 2016 left longer-term effects in diplomacy, public health preparedness, and cultural memory. The United Nations had designated 2016 as the International Year of Pulses (UN observance), an initiative intended to raise awareness of the role of pulses in sustainable agriculture and food security. As a single calendar year, 2016 is often recalled for its cascade of notable events across politics, science and culture that continue to influence subsequent years.