Discover what happened on May 16 in history, along with notable events that shaped entertainment, technology, and American history.
What Happened on May 16 in History?
Important events on this day include Michigan troops entering the Civil War, the first Academy Awards ceremony, and the premiere of Top Gun.
MAY 16 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1861 – Michigan troops entered the Civil War as the 1st Michigan Infantry entered Washington, DC. President Abraham Lincoln exclaimed “Thank God for Michigan”.
1866 – The U.S. Congress eliminated the half dime coin and replaced it with the 5-cent piece, or nickel.
1866 – Charles Elmer Hires invented root beer.
1868 – President Andrew Johnson was acquitted during the Senate impeachment, by one vote.
1888 – The first demonstration of recording on a flat disc was demonstrated by Emile Berliner.
1891 – A riot broke out in Grand Rapids, MI after 4,000 furniture workers walked off their jobs at 35 plants.
1910 – The U.S. Bureau of Mines was authorized by Congress.
1912 – Peter Wege founded Steelcase as the “Metal Office Furniture Company”.
1914 – The American Horseshoe Pitchers Association (AHPA) was formed in Kansas City, KS.
1929 – The first Academy Awards ceremony was held in Hollywood, CA.
1939 – The Philadelphia Athletics and the Cleveland Indians met at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, PA, for the first baseball game to be played under the lights in the American League.
1946 – Jack Mullin showed the world the first magnetic tape recorder.
1960 – Theodore Maiman, at Hughes Research Laboratory in Malibu, CA, demonstrated the first working laser (a ruby laser).
1963 – After 22 Earth orbits Gordon Cooper returned to Earth, ending Project Mercury.
1965 – Spaghetti-O’s were sold for the first time.
1971 – U.S. postage for a one-ounce first class stamp was increased from 6 to 8 cents.
1972 – By a 2-to-1 margin, Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment allowing for a state lottery.
1975 – Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
1975 – Muhammad Ali TKO’s Ron Lyle in the 11th round of a bout in Las Vegas, NV, to retain the heavyweight boxing title.
1977 – Muhammad Ali wins a unanimous 15 round decision over Alfredo Evangelista to retain the heavyweight boxing title.
1980 – Dr. George C. Nichopoulos was indicted in Memphis on 14 counts of overprescribing drugs to Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine other patients.
1983 – The television special “Motown 25: Yesterday, Today and Forever” aired. It was a recording of the first time that Michael Jackson performed the moonwalk for a live audience.
1985 – Michael Jordan was named Rookie of the Year in the NBA.
1986 – The movie “Top Gun”, starring Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, and Tom Skerritt, premiered in theaters. The film had made approximately $171.1 million by the end of the year.
1987 – The Bobro 400 set sail from New York Harbor with 3,200 tons of garbage. The barge traveled 6,000 miles in search of a place to dump its load. It returned to New York Harbor after 8 weeks with the same load.
1988 – A report released by Surgeon General C. Everett Koop declared that the addictive properties of nicotine were similar to those of heroin and cocaine.
1988 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that police do not have to have a search warrant to search discarded garbage.
1991 – Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to address the U.S. Congress.
1991 – At Stanford University, fourteen students started leapfrogging. They would continue for 10 days and 999.2 miles, setting a Guinness world record.
1992 – The Endeavour Space Shuttle landed safely after its maiden voyage.
1999 – The Star Wars movie “Episode 1: The Phantom Menace” premiered in theaters in Los Angeles, CA.
2000 – Hillary Rodham Clinton was nominated to run for U.S. Senator in New York. She was the first former First Lady to run for public office.
2001 – The first MacBook laptop was released.
2002 – Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston) had a daughter with Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) on the eighth season finale of TV’s “Friends”.
2003 – Child actor Adam Rich was placed on three years probation after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of driving under the influence and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was also ordered to take part in a 60-day treatment program and pay about $1,200 in fines.
2005 – Sony Corp. unveiled three styles of its new PlayStation 3 video game machine.
2010 – Sandra Diaz-Twine won TV’s “Survivor: Heroes Versus Villains”, defeating Parvati Shallow and Russell Hantz.
2011 – STS-134 launched from Kennedy Space Center on the 25th and final flight for Space Shuttle Endeavour.
2013 – Candice Glover won the 12th season of TV’s “American Idol”.
2014 – Barbara Walters retired from the ABC TV show “The View”.
2019 – DNA research showed that bedbugs are older than humans. They have been around for 115 million years and outlived dinosaurs.
2020 – JC Penney department store filed for bankruptcy after 118 years of business.
2025 – A devastating EF4 tornado kills nineteen people in Southeast Kentucky, hitting the towns of Somerset and London.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON MAY 16:
Ivan Sutherland – 88 years old (1938) – Computer scientist and academic
Dan Coats – 83 years old (1943) – Politician and diplomat, 29th United States Ambassador to Germany
Billy Cobham – 82 years old (1944) – Panamanian-American drummer, composer, and bandleader
Cheryl Clarke – 79 years old (1947) – Writer
Rick Reuschel – 77 years old (1949) – Baseball player
Bruce Coville – 76 years old (1950) – Author
Jonathan Richman – 75 years old (1951) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Pierce Brosnan – 73 years old (1953) – Irish-American actor and producer
Peter Onorati – 73 years old (1953) – Actor
Richard Page – 73 years old (1953) – Singer-songwriter and bass player
Jack Morris – 71 years old (1955) – Baseball player and sportscaster
Debra Winger – 71 years old (1955) – Actress
Joan Benoit – 69 years old (1957) – Runner
Mitch Webster – 67 years old (1959) – Baseball player
Mare Winningham – 67 years old (1959) – Actress and singer-songwriter
Bruce Norris – 66 years old (1960) – Actor and playwright
Charles Wright – 65 years old (1961) – Wrestler
Rachel Griffith – 63 years old (1963) – Anglo-American economist
John Salley – 62 years old (1964) – Basketball player and actor
Boyd Tinsley – 62 years old (1964) – Singer-songwriter and violinist
Krist Novoselic – 61 years old (1965) – Bass player, songwriter, author, and activist
Janet Jackson – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Scott Reeves – 60 years old (1966) – Singer-songwriter and actor
Thurman Thomas – 60 years old (1966) – Football player
Doug Brocail – 59 years old (1967) – Baseball player and coach
Ralph Tresvant – 58 years old (1968) – Singer and producer
David Boreanaz – 57 years old (1969) – Actor
Tucker Carlson – 57 years old (1969) – Journalist, co-founded The Daily Caller
Steve Lewis – 57 years old (1969) – Sprinter
Tori Spelling – 53 years old (1973) – Actress, reality television personality, and author
Sonny Sandoval – 52 years old (1974) – Singer-songwriter and rapper
Jensen Lewis – 42 years old (1984) – Baseball player
Megan Fox – 40 years old (1986) – Actress
Omar Strong – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Joey Graceffa – 35 years old (1991) – Internet celebrity
Ashley Wagner – 35 years old (1991) – Figure skater
Kirstin Maldonado – 34 years old (1992) – Singer and songwriter
Louisa Chirico – 30 years old (1996) – Tennis player
Luis Garcia – 26 years old (2000) – Dominican-American baseball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR MAY 16:
- National Barbecue Day: Celebrate National Barbecue Day with smoky flavors, backyard grills, and global BBQ traditions that bring friends, family, and communities together.
- Drawing Day: Celebrate Drawing Day by unlocking creativity, exploring famous sketches, drawing with kids, and sharing art as therapy, community, and self-expression.
- US Armed Forces Day: Discover the history, traditions, and ways to honor U.S. service members on Armed Forces Day, celebrating courage, sacrifice, and national pride.
- Wear Purple for Peace Day: Discover the meaning behind Wear Purple for Peace Day, a colorful call for unity, harmony, and global togetherness through simple, symbolic action.
- Honor Our LGBT Elders Day: Honor Our LGBT Elders Day celebrates the resilience, stories, and contributions of older LGBTQ+ pioneers, fostering gratitude, connection, and inclusion.
- National River Cleanup Day: Celebrate National River Cleanup Day by joining volunteers to remove trash, protect wildlife, restore waterways, and build community along rivers and streams.
- National Waiters Day: Celebrate National Waiters Day by honoring hardworking waitstaff, recognizing their skills, and showing appreciation for the service that shapes every dining experience.
- International Day of Living Together in Peace: Discover the meaning of International Day of Living Together in Peace, and explore ways to promote unity, tolerance, reconciliation, and global solidarity.
- International Boys’ Day: Discover International Boys’ Day, a global celebration that supports boys’ well-being, honors their strengths, and promotes healthy, caring values for all children.
- National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day: Celebrate National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day by sharing kindness, helping out, and building stronger, more connected, and caring communities.
- National Love a Tree Day: Discover National Love a Tree Day, celebrating the beauty and benefits of trees while inspiring planting, conservation, and deeper connections with nature.
- National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day: Celebrate National Coquilles Saint Jacques Day by savoring creamy scallops, French culinary tradition, and elegant recipes to cook, share, and enjoy.
- National Classic Movie Day: Celebrate National Classic Movie Day by revisiting timeless films, hosting themed watch parties, and honoring the storytelling and legacy of classic cinema.
- International Day of Light: Discover how the International Day of Light celebrates light science and technology, highlighting their impact on health, education, culture, and sustainable development.
- National Piercing Day: Celebrate National Piercing Day by exploring the history, culture, and self-expression of body piercings, plus ideas for new piercings and jewelry.
- National Mimosa Day: Raise a glass to National Mimosa Day, celebrating the classic sparkling wine and citrus cocktail with creative twists, brunch pairings, and festive flair.
- Horse Rescue Day: Discover Horse Rescue Day, a celebration of protecting horses from neglect through rescue, adoption, volunteering, education, and support for welfare organizations.
- National Sea Monkey Day: Sea monkeys, a type of brine shrimp, make a popular children’s pet that you can order, hatch, and raise at home, which helps kids learn responsibility.
- World Whisky Day: Discover World Whisky Day, celebrating the “water of life” with tastings, fun whisky facts, global styles, and cocktail ideas for enthusiasts and newcomers.
- National Learn To Swim Day: National Learn To Swim Day promotes swimming lessons and water safety for all ages, building confidence, fitness, and lifesaving skills in and around water.
- World Fiddle Day: Discover World Fiddle Day, celebrating lively fiddle music, global folk traditions, skilled craftsmanship, and inclusive events that get everyone dancing.
- National Biographers Day: Explore National Biographers Day, honoring storytellers who bring real lives to the page and screen, and discover inspiring ways to celebrate biography writing.
- Plant a Lemon Tree Day: Discover the joy of Plant a Lemon Tree Day, celebrating citrus flavor, community spirit, and greener spaces through fun activities and planting lemon trees.
- Preakness Stakes: Explore the Preakness Stakes, a historic Triple Crown horse race at Pimlico, blending thrilling thoroughbred action with music, gourmet dining, and festival flair.
- Culture Freedom Day: Culture Freedom Day celebrates the idea that art and knowledge should be open to everyone. It encourages creators to share their work freely, allowing others to use, learn from, and build upon it. This approach challenges traditional restrictions, promoting a more inclusive and collaborative cultural landscape. The day brings together...
- Nickel Day: Crack open your change jar, and you’ll likely find the star of Nickel Day tucked among the coins. This modest five-cent piece may seem ordinary, but it has a unique place in daily life. Whether dropped into a parking meter or resting in your palm at a store counter, the...
- International Invention Day: Transforming imaginative ideas into tangible reality can change lives, spark innovation, and drive human progress forward.
- Tarlov Cyst Disease Awareness Day: Tarlov Cyst Disease Awareness Day is here to promote, advocate, educate, and validate those living with Tarlov cyst disease. How to Observe Tarlov Cyst Disease Awareness Day Looking for ideas to get involved with this important day? Check out some of these ideas to get started: Become an Advocate According to the...
- American Craft Beer Week: Exploring diverse flavors and styles, American craft beer showcases innovation and craftsmanship, delighting enthusiasts worldwide.
- Foster Care Fortnight: Foster Care Fortnight, an annual event in the UK, typically happens in the first two weeks of May. This initiative is driven by The Fostering Network, a leading charity that promotes foster care awareness and recruitment. The event raises awareness about the growing need for foster carers and their vital...
- Bike to Work Week: Bike to Work Week is a special time celebrated each year across the United States. This event encourages people to ride their bikes to work or anywhere else they need to go as part of a larger movement to promote cycling and its benefits. How to Celebrate Bike to Work Week Embracing...
- Learning at Work Week: Learning at Work Week is a special time dedicated to boosting learning culture within the workplace. Celebrated annually, this initiative encourages all types of organizations to engage in activities that foster learning among their teams. The goal is to make learning an integral part of working life, benefiting individual growth and...
- Be Nice to Nettles Week: Be Nice to Nettles Week is a vibrant annual event that shines a spotlight on the humble nettle plant. Celebrated in mid-May, this period encourages us to appreciate the ecological and health benefits of nettles. How to Celebrate Be Nice to Nettles Week Here are five quirky and playful ways to dive...
- Christian Aid Week: Christian Aid Week is an important time that provides urgent humanitarian relief to the less fortunate and urges long-term programs to help. It calls out the plight of the suffering, giving immediate aid. But it does more; it stands up for the rights of - and demands justice for -...
- Tracky Dack Day: Tracky Dack Day is a funny name for a serious cause. This annual event, run by TLC for Kids, encourages people to wear their favorite track pants (aka 'tracky dacks'!) to support children in hospitals! The name brings a smile, but the mission is profound. It raises awareness and funds...
- National Salvation Army Week: Supporting those in need, providing hope, and creating positive change—efforts that embody the essence of humanitarian assistance.
- M.E. Awareness Week: M.E. Awareness Week, celebrated annually, highlights the struggles of people living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.). The week encourages empathy for those affected and serves as a time for people to learn more about this condition. The campaign is organized by various charities, patient groups, and healthcare professionals working together to increase...
- National Public Gardens Week: National Public Gardens Week shines a spotlight on the incredible beauty and significance of public gardens. Held each year in early May, it's a week-long celebration designed to highlight the vital role these gardens play in our communities. From fragrant flower displays to serene landscapes, they offer more than just...
- National Hospital Week: Whether performing a small elective procedure or treating a life-threatening illness, hospitals are critical places that make a huge difference in the health of individuals, families and communities across the nation. National Hospital Week is here to celebrate and show appreciation for all of the different people who are integral...
- National Stuttering Awareness Week: National Stuttering Awareness Week focuses on understanding stuttering and supporting those who live with it. Stuttering is a speech condition that affects the flow of speaking, and it touches millions of people worldwide. This week encourages open conversations and helps break the silence around a challenge many face every day. It...
- I Love My State Parks Week: The United States defines up to 10,000 different areas as state parks. State parks protect more than 14 million acres of landscape, ranging from coastal beaches to forests, sandy deserts to swampland. In addition, state parks provide local residents with opportunities for recreation, access to clean and safe green spaces...
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