On This Day
Discover events that happened On This Day including famous birthdays and notable deaths. Each day we highlight famous people, past and present, who have impacted our world. Browse sections by selecting the links below or click the calendar to view events on another day.
May 16
Events on This Day
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1770
243 years agoMarie Antoinette, age 14, marries the future King Louis XVI of France, who is 15.
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1918
95 years agoPresident Woodrow Wilson signs the Sedition Act, severely restricting speech that opposes the government or its armed forces.
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2002
11 years agoGeorge Lucas's Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones opens in theaters, starring Ewan McGregor and Natalie Portman.
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2004
9 years agoLeonel Fernández Reyna is elected president of the Dominican Republic for the second time, after previously serving from 1996 to 2000.
May 16
Born on This Day
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Henry Fonda
- In these groups:
- Screen Presidents
- Celebrity Enlistees
- Best Actor Oscar Winners
Henry Fonda
Film Actor, Theater Actor, Television Actor / 1905 - 1982
Henry Fonda was an award-winning American actor best known for him film roles in The Grapes of Wrath (1940) and On Golden Pond (1981).
Born: May 16, 1905
Birthplace: Grand Island, Nebraska, United States
Occupation: Film Actor, Theater Actor, ... -
Pierce Brosnan
- In these groups:
- Irish Eyes
- James Bond Actors
- Famous Taureans
Pierce Brosnan
Animal Rights Activist, Environmental Activist, Anti-War Activist, Film Actor, Television Actor, Producer / 1953 -
Irish actor Pierce Brosnan is best known for his recurring role as British spy James Bond in the popular James Bond film series.
1953 | 60 years old
Animal Rights Activist, ... -
Liberace
- In these groups:
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Musical Monikers
- Famous Taureans
Liberace
Pianist / 1919 - 1987
Liberace was a flamboyant pianist who twice had his own TV show and frequently performed in Las Vegas.
1919 | 67 years old
Pianist -
Megan Fox
- In these groups:
- Hotheads
- Sparks On The Set
- People with Animal Names
Megan Fox
Film Actress, Television Actress, Model / 1986 -
Megan Fox is an starred in the first two blockbuster Transformers films. She is consistently ranked with the hottest up-and-coming young actresses.
Born: May 16, 1986
Age: 27 years old
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, Model -
Tori Spelling
- In these groups:
- Famous Moms
- Primetime Soap Stars
- Intra-Family Feuds
Tori Spelling
Film Actress, Television Actress / 1973 -
Tori Spelling is an actress who has appeared on TV and in films, notably on the TV show Beverly Hills 90210.
1973 | 40 years old
Film Actress, Television Actress -
Janet Jackson
- In these groups:
- Ladies of Pop Music
- Weight Loss Winners
- Super Bowl Halftime Performers
Janet Jackson
Dancer, Producer, Singer / 1966 -
The younger sister of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson is one of the best-selling artists in contemporary history. Her albums include Control and Rhythym Nation.
1966 | 47 years old
Dancer, Producer, Singer
May 16
Died on This Day
-
Jim Henson
- In these groups:
- Famous Puppeteers
- The Ed Sullivan Show Guests
- Famous Libras
Jim Henson
Filmmaker, Inventor, Screenwriter / 1936 - 1990
Jim Henson was an American puppeteer best known for creating TV characters, including the Muppets, and for his work on the popular children's show Sesame Street.
Died: May 16, 1990
Age: 53 years old
Place: New York City, New York , United States
Occupation: Filmmaker, Inventor, Screenwriter -
Charles Perrault
- In these groups:
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous People Named Charles
- Famous Poets
Charles Perrault
Author, Poet / 1628 - 1703
Charles Perrault was a French poet and author known for writing the Mother Goose fairy tales.
1703 | 75 years old
Author, Poet -
James Agee
- In these groups:
- Famous Sagittarians
- Famous People Named James
- Famous Screenwriters
James Agee
Author, Poet, Screenwriter / 1909 - 1955
James Agee was a film critic for TIME magazine, penned the screenplay for The African Queen, and won the 1958 Pulitzer Prize for his novel A Death in the Family.
1955 | 45 years old
Author, Poet, Screenwriter -
Eliot Ness
- In these groups:
- Famous Arians
- Famous People Born in 1903
- Famous University of Chicago Alumni
Eliot Ness
Police Officer / 1903 - 1957
Eliot Ness was a law enforcement official in Chicago, best known for his efforts to enforce Prohibition as head of "The Untouchables."
Died: May 7, 1957
Age: 54 years old
Place: Coudersport, Pennsylvania , United States
Occupation: Police Officer -
A. Philip Randolph
- In these groups:
- Famous Harlem Residents
- Famous Arians
- Famous Harlem Renaissance People
A. Philip Randolph
Civil Rights Activist / 1889 - 1979
A. Philip Randolph was a labor leader and social activist who fought for the rights of African-American laborers, including better wages and working conditions.
1979 | 90 years old
Civil Rights Activist -
Andy Kaufman
- In these groups:
- Mysterious Deaths
- Famous Capricorns
- Famous Actors
Andy Kaufman
Television Actor, Comedian / 1949 - 1984
Believe it or not, comedian Andy Kaufman was banned from Saturday Night Live, but beloved for his portrayal of Latka Gravas on the sitcom Taxi.
1984 | 35 years old
Television Actor, Comedian
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profile id: 9227805
profile name: Pierce Brosnan profile occupation: Animal Rights Activist, ...
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profile name: Liberace profile occupation: Pianist
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profile name: Megan Fox profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress, Model
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profile name: Tori Spelling profile occupation: Film Actress, Television Actress
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profile name: Janet Jackson profile occupation: Dancer, Producer, Singer
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profile name: Jim Henson profile occupation: Filmmaker, Inventor, Screenwriter
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profile name: Charles Perrault profile occupation: Author, Poet
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profile name: James Agee profile occupation: Author, Poet, Screenwriter
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profile name: Eliot Ness profile occupation: Police Officer
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profile name: A. Philip Randolph profile occupation: Civil Rights Activist
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profile name: Andy Kaufman profile occupation: Television Actor, Comedian
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profile name: Marie Antoinette profile occupation: Queen
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profile name: Louis XVI profile occupation: King
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profile name: Woodrow Wilson profile occupation: Educator
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profile name: George Lucas profile occupation: Filmmaker
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profile name: Leonel Fernández Reyna profile occupation: World Leader
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profile name: Voltaire profile occupation: Philosopher
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profile name: Joan of Arc profile occupation: Warrior
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profile name: Emil Jannings profile occupation: Film Actor
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profile name: Charlie Chaplin profile occupation: Comedian
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profile name: Janet Gaynor profile occupation: Film Actress
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profile name: Britney Spears profile occupation: Television Personality
profile id: 38189
profile name: Erik Satie profile occupation: Songwriter
profile id: 37258
profile name: Peter Carl Fabergé profile occupation: Artist
profile id: 37535
profile name: J.C.L. Simonde de Sismondi profile occupation: Writer
profile id: 307490
profile name: Cindy McCain profile occupation: Political Leader
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