On This Day - January 16, 2026

President Chester Arthur signed the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, creating the U.S. civil service system. The act established a merit basis for federal jobs and promotions and made it illegal to fire or demote government employees for political reasons.

The states ratify the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution. A year later, the amendment goes into effect on January 17th. It prohibited "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors..." In between, Congress passed the Volstead Act providing the means to enforce the 18th Amendment. The "noble experiment" ended on December 5, 1933, when the states ratified the 21st Amendment, repealing Prohibition.

On October 15, 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Department of Transportation. A few months later, on January 16, 1968, Johnson appointed the first Secretary of Transportation, Alan Boyd.

The Soviet Soyuz 4 and Soyuz 5 completed the first docking mission while in orbit above the Earth. Each spacecraft were crewed by two cosmonauts, and while docked, they performed a spacewalk and switched spacecraft for the return flight home. January 16th Celebrated Birthdays