May 16: What Happened on This Day in History

• 2022: A tragic mass shooting motivated by racial hatred occurred in Buffalo, NY, where an 18-year-old white supremacist, Payton Gendron, deliberately targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood. Hundreds of community members gathered near the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue to hold a prayer vigil for the victims, which subsequently transformed into a Black Lives Matter protest against gun violence and racist extremism. Gendron had extensively researched the neighborhood's demographics and traveled 200 miles with the explicit intent of murdering Black individuals, highlighting deep-seated racial tensions and the ongoing threat of white supremacist violence.
• 2019: In a violent confrontation on the Sinai Peninsula, 47 insurgents were killed and five Egyptian soldiers were wounded during an intense gunfight.
• 2017: Cybersecurity companies Symantec and Kaspersky Lab reported technical evidence connecting the WannaCry ransomware attack to the North Korean-backed Lazarus Group. The investigation suggests North Korea was also responsible for previous cyberattacks against Sony Pictures and the SWIFT banking system.
• 2009: In a historic moment at the 134th Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, jockey Calvin Borel rode Rachel Alexandra to victory, becoming the first female horse to win the race since 1924.
• 2007: Sony reported a significant financial loss of US$1.9 billion in its games division during the fiscal year, highlighting challenges in the competitive video game market.
• 2005: British politician George Galloway appeared before a U.S. Senate Committee to address allegations of financial impropriety related to the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme in Iraq.
• 2003: United States and British officials announced a significant policy adjustment regarding the redevelopment of Iraq. The establishment of an Iraqi-led national assembly was indefinitely delayed, with Allied commanders maintaining leadership due to the absence of a viable local government with real political power.
• 1980: Brian May, guitarist of the legendary rock band Queen, collapsed on stage during a performance due to hepatitis, highlighting the serious health challenges musicians can face while touring.
• 1979: The National League officially approved the sale of the Houston Astros baseball team from Ford Motors to businessman John J. McMullen for a purchase price of US$19 million, marking a significant ownership transition in Major League Baseball.
• 1974: Helmut Schmidt was elected as the Chancellor of West Germany following Willy Brandt's resignation due to a spy scandal in his administration. Hans-Dietrich Genscher from the FDP party became vice chancellor and foreign minister.

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May 16th marks the 136th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 137th in case of leap years).

There are 229 days remaining until the end of the year.

May 16th is the 16th day of the month of May.

What day of the week is May 16?

On May 16th, 2025 the day of the week is Friday.

Holidays and Observances on May 16

The zodiac sign associated with May 16th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.

More about May 16 zodiac

What is special about the Taurus sign?

• Taurus personality traits and attitude
• Taurus most and least compatible signs
• Why May born are so special