Today In History [16th May, 2015]

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
May 16

1770           Marie Antoinette marries future King Louis XVI of France.
1863           At the Battle of Champion's Hill, Union General Ulysess S. Grant repulses the Confederates, driving them into Vicksburg.
1868           President Andrew Johnson is acquitted during Senate impeachment, by one vote, cast by Edmund G. Ross.
1879           The Treaty of Gandamak between Russia and England sets up the Afghan state.
1920           Joan of Arc is canonized in Rome.
1928           The first Academy Awards are held in Hollywood.
1943           A specially trained and equipped Royal Air Force squadron destroys two river dams in Germany.
1951           Chinese Communist Forces launch second step, fifth-phase offensive and gain up to 20 miles of territory.
1960           A Big Four summit in Paris collapses because of the American U-2 spy plane affair.
1963           After 22 Earth orbits, Gordon Cooper returns to Earth, ending the last mission of Project Mercury.

Born on May 16
1801           William Henry Seward, U.S. Secretary of State (1861-1869).
1804           Elizabeth Palmer Peabody, founder of the first U.S. kindergarten.
1824           Edmund Kirby-Smith, Confederate general during the American Civil War.
1850           Johannes von Mikulica-Radecki, Polish surgical pioneer.
1886           Douglas Southall Freeman, journalist, historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer.
1905           Henry Fonda, American actor (Grapes of Wrath, On Golden Pond).
1912           Studs Terkel, author and historian.
1913           Woody Herman, jazz bandleader.
1929           Betty Carter, jazz singer.
1929           Adrienne Rich, poet (Diving into the Wreck).
1955           Olga Korbut, Olympic gymnast.