Today in History
1975 Junko Tabei becomes the first woman to conquer Mount Everest
The Japanese adventurer’s ascent came 22 years after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the summit.
1966 In China, the Cultural Revolution begins
The publication of the May 16 notification marks the start of the ten-year political campaign launched by Mao Zedong. Its goal was to fortify communism by eliminating capitalist, traditional, and cultural elements from Chinese society.
1960 Theodore Maiman fires the first functional laser
The invention of an American physicist, which was based on earlier research by scientists in the United States and the Soviet Union, was patented in 1967.
1929 The Oscars are awarded for the first time
The first Academy Awards were given out at a private dinner attended by approximately 270 people. It is now the world’s most important entertainment awards show.
1919 Albert Cushing Read takes off on the first transatlantic flight in history
The crossing from New York State, USA to Lisbon, Portugal on a Curtiss NC-4 flying boat took 19 days.
Births On This Day, May 16
1966 Janet Jackson
American singer-songwriter, producer, dancer, actress
1953 Pierce Brosnan
Irish/American actor, singer, producer
1919 Liberace
American singer, pianist, actor
1905 Henry Fonda
American actor, singer, producer
1831 David Edward Hughes
Welsh/American scientist, co-invented the microphone
Deaths On This Day, May 16
2012 Maria Bieşu
Moldovan opera singer
1990 Jim Henson
American puppeteer, director, and producer, founded The Company
1990 Sammy Davis, Jr.
American actor, singer, dancer
1977 Modibo Keïta
Malian politician, 1st President of Mali
1953 Django Reinhardt
Belgian guitarist, composer
