May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 229 days remaining until the end of the year.
Historical Events on May 16
- 1527: The Sack of Rome begins as troops of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V enter the city.
- 1776: The Virginia Declaration of Rights is adopted, becoming the first declaration of rights adopted by any of the American colonies.
- 1868: The United States Senate ratifies the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, including former slaves.
- 1943: The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising begins as Jewish fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto launch an armed uprising against the Nazis.
- 1961: Alan Shepard becomes the first American to travel into space, making a 15-minute suborbital flight.
- 1989: The Tiananmen Square protests begin in Beijing, China, as students and other citizens gather to demand democratic reforms.
Notable Births on May 16
- 1847: Ivan Pavlov, Russian physiologist and Nobel laureate (d. 1936)
- 1886: Marie Curie, Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist, and Nobel laureate (d. 1934)
- 1905: Henry Fonda, American actor (d. 1982)
- 1929: Audrey Hepburn, British actress (d. 1993)
- 1953: Pierce Brosnan, Irish actor
Notable Deaths on May 16
- 1667: Thomas Urquhart, Scottish author and translator (b. 1611)
- 1830: Jean-Baptiste Corot, French painter (b. 1796)
- 1957: Arturo Toscanini, Italian conductor (b. 1867)
- 1979: Barbara Hutton, American socialite and heiress (b. 1912)
- 2012: Donna Summer, American singer-songwriter (b. 1948)
Holidays and Observances on May 16
- National Biographer’s Day
- National Barbecue Day
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
- Armed Forces Day (United States)
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
Zodiac Sign for May 16
People born on May 16 are Taureans. Taureans are known for being reliable, practical, and down-to-earth. They are also known for their love of luxury and comfort.
Famous Taureans
- Audrey Hepburn
- George Clooney
- Michelle Pfeiffer
- Adele
- Tina Fey
What to Do on May 16
- Attend a barbecue. May 16 is National Barbecue Day, so what better way to celebrate than by grilling up some delicious food?
- Visit a museum. May 16 is also International Museum Day, so take advantage of the opportunity to learn something new.
- Go for a hike. The weather is usually nice in May, so get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors.
- Read a book. May 16 is also National Biographer’s Day, so why not pick up a biography of someone you admire?
- Spend time with loved ones. Take some time to appreciate the people who matter most to you.
May 16 Trivia
- The first American to orbit the Earth was John Glenn, who did so on February 20, 1962. However, Alan Shepard was the first American to travel into space, making a 15-minute suborbital flight on May 16, 1961.
- The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising was the largest single Jewish uprising against Nazi Germany during World War II. The uprising lasted for 28 days and resulted in the deaths of approximately 13,000 Jews and 1,700 German soldiers.
- Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels, Belgium, to a Dutch father and a British mother. She began her career as a ballerina, but later transitioned to acting. Hepburn is best known for her roles in such films as “Roman Holiday,” “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” and “My Fair Lady.”
- The zodiac sign for May 16 is Taurus. Taureans are known for being reliable, practical, and down-to-earth. They are also known for their love of luxury and comfort.
Conclusion
May 16 is a day with a rich history and many notable events. It is also a day to celebrate culture, diversity, and the people who serve our communities. So take some time to enjoy the day and learn something new!
