Today in History: China’s Cultural Revolution began in 1966 resulting in estimated 1-2 million deaths

The following is a chronological list of notable events that occurred on May 16 throughout history:

1. 1770 – Marie Antoinette marries the future King Louis XVI of France

On May 16, 1770, 14-year-old Marie Antoinette married 15-year-old Louis-Auguste, the future King Louis XVI, in a ceremonial wedding at the Palace of Versailles.

2. 1868 – U.S. Senate acquits President Andrew Johnson

On May 16, 1868, the U.S. Senate failed to convict President Andrew Johnson on Article 11 of the impeachment charges, falling short by one vote.

3. 1929 – First Academy Awards ceremony held

The inaugural Academy Awards ceremony took place on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Blossom Room.

4. 1943 – Warsaw Ghetto Uprising ends

On May 16, 1943, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising concluded as Nazi forces destroyed the Great Synagogue and crushed the remaining resistance.

5. 1960 – First working laser demonstrated

Physicist Theodore Maiman operated the first functional laser on May 16, 1960, at Hughes Research Laboratories in California.

6. 1966 – China’s Cultural Revolution begins

The Cultural Revolution officially began on May 16, 1966, with the issuance of the “May 16 Notification” by the Chinese Communist Party.

7. 1975 – Junko Tabei becomes first woman to summit Mount Everest

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 16, 1975, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat.

8. 1997 – President Clinton apologizes for Tuskegee Syphilis Study

On May 16, 1997, President Bill Clinton formally apologized to the survivors of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.

9. 2012 – Trial of Ratko Mladić begins

The trial of Bosnian Serb General Ratko Mladić commenced on May 16, 2012, at The Hague, addressing charges of genocide and war crimes.

10. 2018 – Michigan State University settles Nassar abuse claims

On May 16, 2018, Michigan State University agreed to a $500 million settlement with over 300 victims of sexual abuse by sports doctor Larry Nassar.