What happened on 16 May?

Look at what happened on this day, 16 May in history. From various achievements and milestones throughout human history to groundbreaking inventions and events that shaped the world we live in today.

Here is a look at some of the most notable events that happened on this day

ON THIS DAY: 16 May

1943 | The Mohne, Sorpe, and Eder dams in the Ruhr valley were destroyed as part of Operation Chastise by the RAF Bomber Command using specially outfitted Avro Lancasters.

1960 | The first optical laser, a ruby laser, was operated by Theodore Maiman at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California.

1971 | B.J. Vorster, the prime minister of South Africa, stated that if the encouraging indications of collaboration with the rest of Africa are correctly interpreted, South Africa could become the leading state in Southern Africa. Ten days later, the Southern African Regional Tourism Council’s mutual articles of agreement were signed by South Africa.

1975 | Japanese climber Junko Tabei became the first woman to summit Mount Everest.

2014 | Two explosions in Nairobi, Kenya’s Gikomba market area resulted in the deaths of 12 persons.

ALSO READ: What happened on 15 May?

BIRTHDAYS

1947 | American writer, Cheryl Clarke.

1951 | South African Army chaplain, Fumanekile Gqiba.

1977 | Icelandic singer-songwriter, Emilíana Torrini.

1983 | South African comedian, Loyiso Gola.

1993 | South Korean singer and actress, Lee Ji-eun.

DEATHS

2012 | American baseball player, Kevin Hickey, 56.

2013 | American politician, Angelo Errichetti, 85.

2015 | Scottish Gaelic singer, Flora MacNeil, 87.

2019 | Dutch politician, Piet Blauw, 82.

2021 | Brazilian lawyer, politician, Bruno Covas, 41.

SPORTS

1985 | On this day, International Conference on Sports Boycott against SA began in Paris.

ENTERATAINMENT

1983 | During the Motown 25th anniversary TV special, Michael Jackson on this day, does the Moonwalk for the first time ever on television.

AFRICA FACT

Nigerian Chef, Hilda Baci extends her world record for the Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual to 100 hours