May 16: What Happened on This Day in History
May 16th marks the 136th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 137th in case of leap years). There are 229 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 16th in history, famous birthdays on May 16th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 16.
What happened on May 16?
Here's what happened on May 16th 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.
What famous birthdays are on May 16?
On May 16th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Janet Jackson]()
Janet Jackson (1966)Iconic American pop singer and performer who revolutionized music and entertainment in the 1980s and 1990s.
![Henry Fonda]()
Henry Fonda (1905)Legendary Hollywood actor with a remarkable 47-year film career, known for iconic roles in 'The Grapes of Wrath' and 'On Golden Pond', for...
![Megan Fox]()
Megan Fox (1986)Prominent American actress and model known for her breakthrough role in the Transformers film series.
![Pierce Brosnan]()
Pierce Brosnan (1953)Pierce Brosnan is a renowned Irish actor best known for playing James Bond from 1995 to 2002.
![Melanie Lynskey]()
Melanie Lynskey (1977)Melanie Lynskey is a critically acclaimed New Zealand actress known for her versatile roles in independent films like 'Heavenly Creatures'...
![Thomas Brodie-Sangster]()
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (1990)Thomas Brodie-Sangster is a renowned British actor known for his memorable roles in 'Game of Thrones' as Jojen Reed and the beloved...
![Debra Winger]()
Debra Winger (1955)Acclaimed American actress known for her powerful performances in 'Urban Cowboy', 'An Officer and a Gentleman', and 'Terms of Endearment',...
![Tori Spelling]()
Tori Spelling (1973)American actress and television personality known for her role in Beverly Hills, 90210 and for being the daughter of legendary TV producer...
![Jan Kiepura]()
Jan Kiepura (1902)Jan Kiepura was a renowned Polish tenor and actor, famous for his performances in opera, operetta, and film during the early to mid-20th...
![David Boreanaz]()
David Boreanaz (1969)David Boreanaz is an American actor famous for his iconic roles in supernatural TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel,...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on May 16?
On May 16th the following celebrities died:
![Jim Henson]()
Jim Henson (1990)Legendary American puppeteer who revolutionized children's entertainment through the Muppets, creating iconic characters like Kermit the...
![Andy Kaufman]()
Andy Kaufman (1984)Iconic comedian and performance artist known for his surreal, avant-garde comedy style.
![Alain Cuny]()
Alain Cuny (1994)Versatile French actor who transitioned from medicine to film, becoming a notable performer in several landmark European cinema classics.
![Ronnie James Dio]()
![Marisa Mell]()
Marisa Mell (1992)Austrian actress known for her iconic roles in 1960s Italian B-movies, particularly in cult cinema and exploitation films.
![Irwin Shaw]()
Irwin Shaw (1984)Renowned American novelist and playwright known for works like 'Rich Man, Poor Man', a critically acclaimed novel that was later adapted...
- Django Reinhardt (1953)
Django Reinhardt was a pioneering Belgian jazz guitarist who revolutionized gypsy jazz music despite losing the use of two fingers in a...
- Clyde Snow (2014)
Renowned forensic anthropologist who helped identify victims in major historical cases, including Kennedy, Tutankhamun, John Wayne Gacy, and...
- Eliot Ness (1957)
Famous American law enforcement agent who led the 'Untouchables' team that fought organized crime and Al Capone during the Prohibition era...
What day of the year is May 16?
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 zodiac sign is associated with the day May 16?
The zodiac sign associated with May 16th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
