#16thmay#onthisday #history May 16th: A Day of Global Connections
May 16th presents a diverse mix of historical events, cultural celebrations, and global social movements. Here's a look at some noteworthy occurrences on this date:
Echoes from the Past:
-1204: Baldwin IX Crowned Emperor of Latin Empire: Following the Fourth Crusade, Baldwin IX is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire, a short-lived Crusader state centered on Constantinople.
-1364: French Defeat English at Cocherel: French forces led by Bertrand du Guesclin defeat an Anglo-Navarrese army at the Battle of Cocherel, a significant victory during the Hundred Years' War.
-1426: Gov. Thado of Mohnyin Becomes King of Ava: Thado of Mohnyin ascends the throne of Ava, a Burmese kingdom in Southeast Asia.
-1527: Florentines Drive Out Medici: The Florentine people expel the Medici family from Florence for the second time, establishing a short-lived republic.
-1532: Sir Thomas More Resigns as Lord Chancellor: Sir Thomas More, a prominent English scholar and statesman, resigns as Lord Chancellor of England due to his opposition to King Henry VIII's break from the Catholic Church.
-1568: Mary, Queen of Scots, Flees to England: Facing imprisonment in Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots, flees to England seeking refuge from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. This move would ultimately lead to her execution.
-1584: Santiago de Vera Becomes Governor-General of Philippines: Santiago de Vera assumes the position of Governor-General of the Spanish colony of the Philippines.
-1770: Marie Antoinette Marries Louis XVI: The young Marie Antoinette, Archduchess of Austria, marries Louis, Dauphin of France, in a lavish ceremony. He would later become King Louis XVI. *Note: While some sources claim this event occurred on May 17th, others definitively state May 16th.*
-1868: Senate Fails to Convict President Andrew Johnson: The United States Senate fails to convict President Andrew Johnson on impeachment charges related to his Reconstruction policies.
Triumph and Challenge:
-1943: Nazi Troops Quell Warsaw Ghetto Uprising: After a month of fierce resistance, Nazi troops brutally put down the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, a desperate struggle by Jewish residents against deportation to extermination camps.
-1975: Junko Tabei Becomes First Woman to Summit Mount Everest: Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. This achievement paved the way for more women to conquer the peak in the future.
Innovation and Entertainment:
-1929: First Academy Awards Ceremony: The first Academy Awards ceremony, now known as the Oscars, is held in Hollywood, California, to celebrate achievements in filmmaking.
-1960: Theodore Maiman Fires First Laser: American physicist Theodore Maiman successfully operates the first functional laser, marking a significant advancement in the field of optics.
-1966: China's Cultural Revolution Begins: The Cultural Revolution, a sociopolitical movement launched by Mao Zedong, began in China. This period of political and social upheaval lasted for a decade and had a profound impact on Chinese society.
Other Notable Events:
-1919: Albert Cushing Read Takes Off on First Transatlantic Flight: Albert Cushing Read takes off from Newfoundland in an attempt to make the first transatlantic flight, eventually landing in the Azores due to engine trouble.
-1990: Deaths of Jim Henson and Sammy Davis Jr.: The entertainment world mourns the loss of two iconic figures: puppeteer and filmmaker Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, and singer and entertainer Sammy Davis Jr.
May 16th reminds us of the interconnectedness of global history. It's a day that showcases political power struggles, religious reforms, scientific breakthroughs, humanitarian struggles, and cultural milestones.
