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: In a historic shift prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden announced its intention to join NATO, ending over 200 years of military non-alignment. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson cited Russia's aggressive actions as the primary reason for this strategic change, emphasizing that the Kremlin's willingness to use violence to achieve political objectives necessitates a robust collective defense strategy. Simultaneously, Finland also formally declared its plan to seek NATO membership, signaling a significant geopolitical realignment in Northern Europe.
- 2019: On May 16, 2019, British Prime Minister Theresa May announced her resignation timeline, stating she would step down as Conservative Party leader on June 7, 2019, following her failure to secure a Brexit deal acceptable to Parliament. source: bbc.com
- 2009: On May 16, 2009, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the military defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), declaring the end of the country's civil war. The announcement followed the capture of the last LTTE-controlled coastline, effectively surrounding the remaining fighters in a small area. Despite the declaration, the fate of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran remained uncertain. source: aljazeera.com
- 2007: On May 16, 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy was inaugurated as the 23rd President of France. His election marked a significant shift in French politics, with promises of economic reforms and a more assertive foreign policy. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 2005: British politician George Galloway testified before the U.S. Senate regarding allegations of his involvement in the Oil-for-Food Programme. His testimony was part of a broader investigation into corruption within the program. source: nytimes.com
- 2003: On May 16, 2003, a series of coordinated suicide bombings occurred in Casablanca, Morocco, targeting Westerners and Jews. The attacks resulted in 45 fatalities, including 12 attackers, and approximately 100 injuries. The Salafia Jihadia group was identified as the perpetrator. source: aljazeera.com
- 1980: On May 16, 1980, Magic Johnson, a 20-year-old rookie, led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 123-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. Filling in at center for the injured Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Johnson recorded 42 points, 15 rebounds, and 7 assists, earning Finals MVP honors and securing the Lakers' first championship since 1972. source: nba.com
- 1979: Kampatimar Shankariya, an Indian serial killer, was executed by hanging in Jaipur on May 16, 1979. He was convicted of murdering at least 70 people between 1977 and 1978, using a hammer to strike his victims on the neck below the ears. His last words were: "I have murdered in vain. Nobody should become like me." source: corriere.it
- 1974: Helmut Schmidt was elected Chancellor of West Germany on May 16, 1974, following the resignation of Willy Brandt amid an espionage scandal involving an East German spy. source: britannica.com
- 1971: On May 16, 1971, Bulgaria conducted a national referendum to approve a new constitution, known as the Zhivkov Constitution, which defined the country as a socialist state led by the Bulgarian Communist Party. The referendum reported a 99.7% approval rate, with a voter turnout of 99.7%. source: bta.bg
What famous birthdays are on May 16?
On May 16th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Janet Jackson]()
Janet Jackson (1966)Janet Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, recognized as one of the most influential entertainers in contemporary pop and R&B music. She is a member of the famous Jackson family and is celebrated for her innovative sound, elaborate stage shows, and socially conscious, sexually provocative records. [bio]
![Pierce Brosnan]()
Pierce Brosnan (1953)Pierce Brosnan is an acclaimed Irish actor and film producer best known for portraying James Bond in four films from 1995 to 2002. Renowned for his suave screen presence and broad filmography, Brosnan has appeared in both action blockbusters and critically acclaimed dramas, earning a reputation as one of the most iconic actors of his generation. [bio]
![Henry Fonda]()
Henry Fonda (1905)Henry Fonda was an acclaimed American film and stage actor with a career spanning five decades. Renowned for his naturalistic style and ability to portray principled, upstanding characters, Fonda is remembered as one of Hollywood's leading men and the patriarch of the Fonda acting dynasty. [bio]
![Tucker Carlson]()
Tucker Carlson (1969)Tucker Carlson is an American conservative political commentator, author, and television host, best known for hosting the nightly political talk show 'Tucker Carlson Tonight' on Fox News from 2016 until 2023. [bio]
![Megan Fox]()
![David Boreanaz]()
David Boreanaz (1969)David Boreanaz is an American actor, television producer, and director, best known for his roles as Angel on the television series 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' and its spin-off 'Angel,' as well as Special Agent Seeley Booth on the crime procedural 'Bones.' [bio]
![Tori Spelling]()
Tori Spelling (1973)Tori Spelling is an American actress, author, and television personality best known for her role as Donna Martin on the hit TV series 'Beverly Hills, 90210.' She has also appeared in films, reality TV shows, and has written several books. [bio]
![Thomas Brodie-Sangster]()
Thomas Brodie-Sangster (1990)Thomas Brodie-Sangster is a British actor well known for his roles in film and television, notably as Sam in 'Love Actually' and as Newt in 'The Maze Runner' film series. He has also voiced the character of Ferb in 'Phineas and Ferb' and appeared as Jojen Reed in 'Game of Thrones.' [bio]
![Adriana Caselotti]()
Adriana Caselotti (1916)Adriana Caselotti was an American actress and singer best known as the original voice of Snow White in Walt Disney's 1937 animated film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.' [bio]
![Danny Trejo]()
Danny Trejo (1944)Danny Trejo is an American actor and producer, known for his distinctive tough-guy appearance and prolific career in film and television, often portraying characters such as villains or anti-heroes. He is particularly notable for his collaborations with director Robert Rodriguez and roles in movies like 'Machete', 'Desperado', and 'Heat'. [bio]
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)Jim Henson was an American puppeteer, animator, cartoonist, actor, inventor, and filmmaker, best known as the creator of The Muppets. He was a pioneering figure in puppetry and children's entertainment, whose innovations transformed the art form and led to beloved television programs such as Sesame Street and The Muppet Show. [bio]
![Andy Kaufman]()
Andy Kaufman (1984)Andy Kaufman was an innovative American entertainer best known for his unorthodox comedic style and unpredictable performances that blurred the lines between reality and performance art. [bio]
![Marisa Mell]()
Marisa Mell (1992)Marisa Mell was an Austrian actress who gained international fame in the 1960s and 1970s, best known for her roles in European cult cinema, particularly in Italian films. She is regarded as a prominent star of Eurospy and giallo genres. [bio]
![Irwin Shaw]()
Irwin Shaw (1984)Irwin Shaw was an acclaimed American playwright, screenwriter, and novelist renowned for his versatile storytelling and impactful works in 20th-century literature and entertainment. [bio]
![Alain Cuny]()
Alain Cuny (1994)Alain Cuny was a renowned French actor and director, recognized for his intense performances in both theater and film. He was especially notable for his collaborations with distinguished directors such as Federico Fellini and Jean-Luc Godard, and his deep involvement in classic and avant-garde cinema. [bio]
![Ronnie James Dio]()
![Django Reinhardt]()
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...
![Margaret Hamilton]()
Margaret Hamilton (1985)Iconic American actress best known for her memorable role as the Wicked Witch of the West in the classic film 'The Wizard of Oz'.
![Clyde Snow]()
Clyde Snow (2014)Renowned forensic anthropologist who helped identify victims in major historical cases, including Kennedy, Tutankhamun, John Wayne Gacy, and...
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 day of the week is May 16?
On May 16th, 2026 the day of the week is Saturday.
| May | 2026 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
| 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
| 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 16?
The zodiac sign associated with May 16th is Taurus according to the Western Zodiac.
