Westminster Abbey
Lays the foundation stone of Lady Chapel
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On this date in world history
May 16 in History
This permanent archive page contains 181 World History Database records for May 16, spanning 1220 to 2026. Recorded topics include Westminster Abbey; Reform of Church Governance; Reformation Parliament.
Total: 181Events: 169Births: 1Deaths: 4Battles: 7Countries: 30
Events on May 16
Reform of Church Governance
Resigns the day after the convocation of the clergy seeking Royal consent for policies
Reformation Parliament
Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor, realizing that the battle to save the King's marriage to Katherine of Aragon is lost, Mores resignation from the Council represents a triumph for Cromwell and the pro-Reformation faction at court
Reformation, The
Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor, realizing that the battle to save the King's marriage to Katherine of Aragon is lost, Mores resignation from the Council represents a triumph for Cromwell and the pro-Reformation faction at court
Resignation as Lord Chancellor
More resigns the office of Lord Chancellor amid the developing royal supremacy crisis.
Resignation of Thomas More
Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor after refusing to support Henry VIII's break with Rome.
Resignation of Thomas More
Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor after the Submission of the Clergy.
Resignation of Thomas More
Resigns the day after the convocation of the clergy seeking Royal consent for policies
Divorce
Cranmer sees Anne in the Tower and hears her confession
Act of Six Articles
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Act of Six Articles
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Legislation
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Legislation
The Churches are ordered to display a copy of the English Bible. Tha Act of Six Articles of the Protestant faith is passed
Reform of Bible Use
The Churches are ordered to display a copy of the English Bible. Tha Act of Six Articles of the Protestant faith is passed
Reformation, The
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Reformation, The
A Parliamentary committee is established to examine doctrine and the Duke of Norfolk presents six questions for the House to consider, which pass as the Act of Six Articles reaffirming a traditional view of the Mass, the Sacraments and the priesthood
Reformation, The
The Six Articles confirm the conservative interpretation of doctrines such as the real presence, clerical celibacy, and the necessity of auricular confession, the private confession of sins to a priest. The Duke of Norfolk notes that the Lords committee into religious doctrine had not agreed on anything and proposes that the Lords examine six doctrinal questions, which form the basis of the Six Articles
Six Articles, The
The Duke of Norfolk notes that the Lords committee into religious doctrine had not agreed on anything and proposes that the Lords examine six doctrinal questions, which form the basis of the Six Articles
Six Articles, The
The Six Articles confirm the conservative interpretation of doctrines such as the real presence, clerical celibacy, and the necessity of auricular confession, the private confession of sins to a priest
Arrest of Mary of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in England & spends the rest of her life under arrest
Arrest of Mary of Scots
Mary Queen of Scots arrives in England & spends the rest of her life under arrest
Exile of Mary of Scots
Crosses the Solway into England
Capture of Jamaica
Helps capture Jamaica from Spain during Cromwell's Western Design
Capture of Jamaica
Commands the land forces that capture Jamaica after the failed attack on Hispaniola
Invasion of Jamaica
The Western Design captures Jamaica from Spain under Penn and Venables
Oku no Hosomichi Journey
Begins the journey later recorded in Oku no Hosomichi
Oku no Hosomichi Journey
Accompanies Matsuo Basho on the journey north
Alliance Treaty
Methuen signs the defensive alliance bringing Portugal into the Grand Alliance.
Alliance Treaty
Peter II enters the alliance with England, Austria, and the Dutch Republic.
Grand Alliance
Methuen negotiates English agreements that help bring Portugal into the alliance.
Grand Alliance
Peter II brings Portugal into the anti-Bourbon alliance through treaties with England and the Dutch.
Recognition of Archduke Charles
Peter II recognises Archduke Charles as the Allied claimant to Spain.
Captivity
Stenbock is taken into captivity after the surrender of the Swedish force at Tonning.
Surrender at Tonning
Stenbock surrenders the Swedish army at Tonning after supplies fail and disease spreads through the camp.
Legacy Error Corrected
Removed as Louis XIV was dead before the 1770 marriage of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Imprisonment in the Bastille
Arouet is imprisoned in the Bastille after being accused of writing satirical verses.
Marriage
Marries Marie Antoinette
String Quintet No 4
Completes String Quintet No 4 in G minor.
Self-Denying Ordinance
Robespierre successfully argued that members of the Constituent Assembly should not sit in the next legislature.
Treaty with Batavian Republic
Sieyes signed the peace treaty concluded at The Hague between France and the Batavian Republic.
Invasion of Lombardy
Napoleon conquers Lombardy as far as Mantua then creates the Lombard Republic
Lombard Republic
Founds the Lombard Republic
Election to Directory
Sieyes returned from Berlin after being chosen to replace Rewbell as a member of the Executive Directory.
Captain
Spaniards under Blakes command successfully hold the allied flank against the strongest French infantry attack of the war, earning him promotion to Captain General
Captain
Spaniards under Blakes command successfully hold the allied flank against the strongest French infantry attack of the war, earning him promotion to Captain General
Siege of Albuhera
Wellington defeats the French under Nicolas Soult
Siege of Badajoz
The French are unable to relieve the siege of Badajoz after defeat at Albuhera
A Treaty
A Treaty of trade & peace is signed with Chile
Expulsion from Prussia
Prussian authorities order Marx to leave after withdrawing his right of residence.
French Command
Replaces Canrobert as commander of French forces in Crimea.
Resignation of Francois Certain Canrobert
Resigns command after disputes over operational direction.
First Electric Tram
Opens an electric railway at Lichterfelde near Berlin.
Lichterfelde Electric Railway
The line becomes the world's first electric tramway.
Erding Appointment
Is appointed Bezirksamtsassessor at Erding, continuing his rise through the Bavarian civil service.
Action at Brakpan
Bell covers the withdrawal of dismounted men under close Boer fire and later receives the Victoria Cross for his actions.
Capture of Orange Free State
British forces occupy the Orange Free State and rename it the Orange River Colony.
Buckingham Palace Memorial
Completes the monumental sculpture facing Buckingham Palace.
Victoria Memorial Unveiled
King George V unveils Brock's completed Victoria Memorial.
British Inquiry Steward Evidence
Gives evidence about the evacuation and instructions received during Titanic's final hours.
British Inquiry Steward Evidence
Gives evidence about guiding third-class passengers and the loading of lifeboat 15.
Saved from the Titanic Released
Appears in the film Saved from the Titanic only weeks after surviving the disaster.
Arras Offensive Ended
Haig ends the Arras offensive after tactical gains but no strategic breakthrough.
Peace
Offers an immediate peace to Russia
Resignation of Paul Miliukov
Resigns as Foreign Minister
Dismissal
Dismissed for not co-operating with the Germans in the Ukraine
Dismissal
Dismisses Bohm-Ermolli
Siege of Paris
The Germans reach Meuse at Chateau-Thierry within 40 miles of Paris
Chancellor
Marx cabinet of the Center, BVP, DDP, DVP, 2 term
Pact between Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia
Soviet-Czechoslovak pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Pact between Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia
Soviet-Czechoslovakian pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Pact between Soviet Union and Czechoslovakia
Soviet-Czechoslovakian pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Political Support
Soviet-Czechoslovak pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Political Support
Soviet-Czechoslovakian pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Political Support
Soviet-Czechoslovakian pact, valid only if France supports both parties
Czechoslovakia Questions
Responds to parliamentary questioning on Czechoslovakia during increasing tension between Prague and the Sudeten German movement.
Air Reinforcement Debate
Debates sending more RAF fighter squadrons to France.
Capture of Clairfay
Rommel captures Clairfay on the Maginot Line
Capture of Ribemount
The XIX Corps captures Ribemount in Northern France on its way to the Channel Coast
Invasion of France
Joined by an embryo staff & remants of General Petiets Cavalry at Laon
Invasion of France
Writes in his diary, "the breakthrough is developing along completely classical lines"
Supreme War Council
Attends a crisis meeting after the German breakthrough at Sedan.
Supreme War Council
Flies to Paris to discuss the collapsing French front.
Supreme War Council
Accompanies Churchill during the crisis meeting in Paris.
Supreme War Council
Explains the German breakthrough and the failure of French defences.
Supreme War Council
Accompanies Churchill and records strategic discussions.
Supreme War Council
Attends as air reinforcements for France are debated.
Supreme War Council
Warns Churchill that the French front is collapsing.
End of Fourth Hermann Jonasson Government
The Fourth Hermann Jonasson Government ends, concluding this term as Prime Minister of Iceland.
First Olafur Thors Government
Begins the First Olafur Thors Government and serves as Prime Minister of Iceland.
Prime Minister of Iceland
Appointed Prime Minister of Iceland
Bombing of Eder
The Dambusters breach the Eder dam by "bouncing bombs"
Bombing of Mohne
The Dambusters breach the Mohne dam by "bouncing bombs"
Bombing of Ruhr
Leads 19 Lancasters from 617 Squadron & breaches the Mohne & Eder dams. Gibson is later awarded the VC
Bombing of Sorpe
The Dambusters breach the Sorpe dam by "bouncing bombs"
Eighth Army Released for Sicily Training
Withdraws Eighth Army from the closing Tunisian operations to prepare for the Sicily invasion.
Invasion of Sicily
The Eighth Army is released from Tunisia to train for the invasion of Sicily
Arrest of Robert Ley
Captured by American paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division in a shoemaker's house in the village of Schleching
Defence Testimony at Nuremberg
Raeder continued his testimony in defence of his conduct and naval command.
Nationalist Revolutionary Movement
Urriolagoitia expands repression against the MNR and other reformist organisations.
President of Bolivia
Ballivian Rojas assumes power after the outgoing government blocks the elected MNR.
World Champion
44th pro boxing victoryt, knocking out former champ, Jersey Joe Walcott, at Chicago Stadium in two minutes
Conference of Paris
Attends the Allied Summit in Paris
Conference of Paris
Attends the Allied Summit in Paris
Paris Summit Collapse
Leaves the Paris summit after the United States refuses his demands over the U-2 reconnaissance programme.
Paris Summit U-2 Demand
Demands an American apology and an end to U-2 reconnaissance flights after the capture of pilot Francis Gary Powers.
Summit
Attends the Allied Summit in Paris
Faith 7 Manual Reentry
Cooper manually controls key reentry steps after electrical and automatic-control problems develop late in the Faith 7 mission.
Project Mercury Final Flight
Faith 7 splashes down successfully, closing the crewed flight phase of Project Mercury after more than thirty-four hours in space.
Treaty of Franco-German
The Bundestag ratifies the Franco-German Treaty
Blonde on Blonde
Releases the double album Blonde on Blonde.
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Qi Benyu is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Chen Boda becomes head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Zhang Chunqiao is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Guan Feng is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Wang Li is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Jiang Qing becomes a powerful member of the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Jiang Qing is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group and promotes radical cultural campaigns
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Yao Wenyuan is appointed to the Central Cultural Revolution Group
Central Cultural Revolution Group
Mao replaces the old cultural apparatus with the Central Cultural Revolution Group dominated by his allies
Five-Man Group
The Five-Man Group is abolished when the May 16 Notification reverses Peng Zhen's approach
Just Like a Woman
Releases Just Like a Woman on Blonde on Blonde.
May 16 Notification
Liu Shaoqi becomes a principal target as the Cultural Revolution turns against the party establishment
May 16 Notification
Deng Xiaoping is soon drawn into the attack on senior party leaders after the May 16 Notification
May 16 Notification
Mao authorises the May 16 Notification warning that bourgeois representatives have infiltrated the party
May 16 Notification
Mao launches the Cultural Revolution through the May 16 Notification against alleged bourgeois elements in the party
Purge
Peng Zhen is purged after Mao rejects the February Outline and the Five-Man Group
Visions of Johanna
Releases Visions of Johanna on Blonde on Blonde.
Venera 5 Atmospheric Descent
Venera 5 returns atmospheric measurements while descending through the clouds of Venus before pressure destroys the probe.
Live at Leeds Release
Release Live at Leeds.
Arthur Bremer Assignment Considered
After the shooting of George Wallace, Hunt examined the feasibility of entering Arthur Bremer's apartment after Charles Colson raised a political operation involving the gunman.
CIA Rejects Reemployment Proposal
CIA General Counsel advised Hunt that returning briefly to service merely to change retirement benefits would violate the spirit of the retirement law.
Greatest Hits
Glen Campbell earns a gold record for his Greatest Hits album
Sikkim Statehood
Sikkim becomes India's twenty-second state.
Thirty-sixth Amendment
The Thirty-sixth Amendment completes Sikkim's admission as a full state of India.
Health of Sese Seko Nkuku Ngbendu Banga Mobutu
The terminally ill Mobutu leaves Zaire for treatment
Nuclear Power
Morarji Desai publicly argues that nuclear weapons do not provide useful defence and questions further explosive testing.
Cup Winners Cup Final Victory
Scores twice as Barcelona defeat Fortuna Dusseldorf 4-3 after extra time in the European final.
Diplomatic Mission to London
Britain's United Nations ambassador Sir Anthony Parsons sent back to New York with British peace proposals
Luxembourg Meeting with Alexander Haig
Meets Haig during the NATO ministerial gathering for an intensive exchange on the Falklands crisis, followed by a joint public statement about their discussions.
Peace Proposals
Returns to New York with British peace proposals.
Manifesto
Pledges to create 2.5 million jobs over 5yrs. Calls for unilateral nuclear disarmament. Calls for Britains withdrawal from the EC
Galileo Arrives at Kennedy Space Center
The Galileo spacecraft arrives at Kennedy Space Center for final testing, mating with its probe and launch preparations.
President of Turkey
Appointed President of Turkey
Rule of Gaza
Israel begins its final withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, shutting down the prison and military headquarters where Israeli soldiers had been in charge since the 1967 Middle East War
First Vajpayee Government
Atal Bihari Vajpayee becomes Prime Minister for the first time but resigns after thirteen days.
Departure from Kinshasa
Mobutu leaves the capital as Laurent Kabila's forces approach.
End of Mobutu Rule
His three-decade rule of Zaire collapses.
Flight from Zaire
Leaves the country as AFDL forces approach Kinshasa and his thirty-two-year rule collapses.
Mobutu Flees Zaire
Leaves the country as rebel forces approach Kinshasa.
Peace
Blair travels to Belfast to restart the peace talks
1998 FA Cup Final Second Goal
Scores Arsenal's second goal in the 2-0 FA Cup final victory over Newcastle United.
President of Turkey
Appointed President of Turkey
United Progressive Alliance
Sonia Gandhi is chosen to lead the United Progressive Alliance after the 2004 general election.
UEFA Cup Final
Manages Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final, where the side lose to Sevilla on penalties.
UEFA Cup Final Equaliser
Scores Espanyol's first equaliser against Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final.
UEFA Cup Final Extra-Time Goal
Scores for Sevilla during extra time in the UEFA Cup final.
UEFA Cup Final Late Equaliser
Scores Espanyol's late extra-time equaliser to force a penalty shoot-out.
UEFA Cup Final Opening Goal
Scores Sevilla's opening goal against Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final.
UEFA Cup Final Penalty Saves
Saves three penalties as Sevilla defeat Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final shoot-out.
UEFA Cup Final Victory
Guides Sevilla to a second consecutive UEFA Cup by defeating Espanyol on penalties.
Advanced Camera for Surveys Repaired
Feustel helps repair the Advanced Camera for Surveys, restoring major imaging capability lost after an electronics failure.
Cosmic Origins Spectrograph Installed
Grunsfeld helps install the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph, a highly sensitive ultraviolet instrument designed for Hubble.
Second Serie A Title
Inter defeat Siena to retain Serie A and complete the domestic double.
Caretaker Government Appointed
Pikrammenos leads a caretaker government before the June election.
Azovstal Surrender
Azovstal defenders begin leaving the steelworks after orders from Kyiv.
Antimicrobial Resistance Funding
Supports an £85 million international funding package to address antimicrobial resistance.
Gibraltar Agreement Talks
Participates in UK-EU-Spain-Gibraltar talks on progress toward an agreement concerning Gibraltar.
UK EU Joint Committee Meetings
Meets European Commission representatives for Withdrawal Agreement and Trade and Cooperation Agreement discussions.
2026 FA Cup Final Winning Goal
Scores the only goal against Chelsea and is named player of the match as Manchester City win the FA Cup.
Births on May 16
Birth of Pierce Brendan Brosnan
Birh of Pierce Brendan Brosnan
Deaths on May 16
Death of Catherine I
Dies age 44 & succeeded by her son Peter
Death of Joseph Fourier
Joseph Fourier dies after major contributions to mathematical physics and analysis.
Death of Ion Bratianu
Death of Ion Bratianu
Titenok Death from Radiation Syndrome
Dies from acute radiation syndrome after receiving a fatal dose during the Chernobyl firefighting operation.
Battles on May 16
Battle of Albuhera
Beresfords Allied army defeats the French
Battle of Albuhera
Blake fights the French at Albuera alongside William Beresfords Anglo-Portuguese army
Battle of Albuhera
Spaniards under Blakes command successfully hold the allied flank against the strongest French infantry attack of the war, earning him promotion to Captain General
Battle of Albuhera
Wellington defeats the French under Nicolas Soult
Battle of Albuhera
Wellington defeats the French under Marshal Nicolas Soult. The French are unable to relieve the siege of Badajoz after defeat at Albuhera
Battle of Arras
Final day of the Arras Offensive, nearly breaks the German defenses on Vimy Ridge
Battle of River Meuse
Advances as far as Avesnes