On This Day May 16th

 OTD

May 16th is the one-hundred-thirty-sixth day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 229 days remain until the end of the year.

 

Events

1364 – Hundred Years' War: Bertrand du Guesclin and a French army defeat the Anglo-Navarrese army of Charles the Bad at Cocherel.

1527 – The Florentines drive out the Medici for a second time, and Florence re-establishes itself as a republic.

1568 – Mary, Queen of Scots, flees to England

1770 – The 14-year-old Marie Antoinette marries 15-year-old Louis-Auguste, who later becomes king of France.

1842 – The first major wagon train heading for the Pacific Northwest sets out on the Oregon Trail from Elm Grove, Missouri, with 100 pioneers.

1888—Nikola Tesla delivers a lecture describing the equipment that will allow the efficient generation and use of alternating currents to transmit electric power over long distances.

1929 – In Hollywood, the first Academy Awards ceremony takes place.

1988 – A report by the Surgeon General of the United States, C. Everett Koop, states that the addictive properties of nicotine are similar to those of heroin and cocaine.

2011 – STS-134 (ISS assembly flight ULF6), launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the 25th and final flight for Space Shuttle Endeavour.

 

Birthdays

1641 – Dudley North, English economist and politician (d. 1691)

1718 – Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Italian mathematician and philosopher (d. 1799)

1801 – William H. Seward, American lawyer and politician, 24th United States Secretary of State (d. 1872)

1831 – David Edward Hughes, Welsh-American physicist, co-invented the microphone (d. 1900)

1912 – Studs Terkel, American historian and author (d. 2008)

1919 – Liberace, American pianist and entertainer (d. 1987)

1925 – Nancy Roman, American astronomer (d. 2018)

1955 – Jack Morris, American baseball player and sportscaster.

1966 – Janet Jackson, American singer-songwriter actress

1969 – Tucker Carlson, the American journalist, co-founded The Daily Caller.

 

Holiday Highlight

NATIONAL BBQ DAY

Barbecues are one of America’s favorite pastimes. Since the activity is highly common in the U.S., it is no surprise that a special day has been dedicated to celebrating the barbecuing tradition.

Although the concept of barbecuing did not originate in America, the activity has become an essential part of American culture today. The history of barbecuing in the U.S. goes back to colonial times when any celebration was incomplete without a cookout. After the Revolutionary War was won and the first bridge was built over the Missouri River, barbecue celebrations erupted all over the nation. Even American presidents are famous for hosting massive barbecues during times of success and on days of special observances. George Washington’s diary is said to have referenced a barbecue event that lasted for three days — that’s how deeply rooted barbecuing is in the country’s history!

Barbecues have become a cherished tradition at the White House, thanks to the influence of President Lyndon B. Johnson. He kickstarted this trend by hosting the first-ever barbecue in the presidential headquarters. The menu featured a variety of mouthwatering dishes, including the now-famous Texas-style barbecue wings.

 

Holidays And Observance

Biographer's Day

Brown Bag It Thursday

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

International Pickle Day

Love a Tree Day

National Aperitif Day

National Coquilles St. Jacques Day

National Mimosa Day

National Notebook Day

National Piercing Day

National Sea Monkey Day

Nickel Day

Wear Purple for Peace Day

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