May 16

May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th on a leap year) on the Gregorian calendar.http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gregorian1.html The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Taurus. http://www.findyourfate.com/astrology/taurus.htm

In Iraq, May 16 is observed as Mass Graves Day. The day is marked with memorial services and grave markings for the unnamed individuals buried within mass graves throughout the area.http://aknews.com/en/aknews/3/145765/ The Iraqi government chose May 16 to bring public attention to mass graves, and to honor those who have lost their lives. The date was chosen because May 16 was the day that the biggest mass grave was traced out in 2004.http://aknews.com/en/aknews/3/145765/ In 2010, conflict arose over the particular date, with the KRG refusing to recognize May 16 as Mass Graves Day citing the day being a sectarian rather than national observance.http://aknews.com/en/aknews/3/145765/

The day is also observed as Wear Purple For Peace Day. The day promotes peace throughout the world and encourages cooperation amongst all people.http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/wearpurpleforpeace.htm The day originated from the idea that alien life has yet to officially make contact with earth because they believe that humans are too hostile. Wearing purple on May 16 signifies global cooperation, with the hopes that any extraterrestrial life forms will see this know earthlings to be cooperative.http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/May/wearpurpleforpeace.htm

• 2005: Kuwait permitted Women's suffrage

• 1975: Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

• 1960: Theodore Maiman operated the first optical laser in Malibu, California.
• 1966: The Communist Party of China issued the 'May 16 Notice'. This marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution.

• 1943: The Warsaw uprising ended.

• 1929: The first Academy Awards were held in Hollywood, CA

• 1811: Britain, Spain, and Portugal defeated the French at the Battle of Albuera.
• 1836: Edgar Allan Poe married his 13-year-old cousin.
• 1843: The first major wagon train, made up of 1,000 pioneers, sets out on the Oregon Trail.
• 1866: Charles Elmer Hires invented root beer.

1568 : Mary, Queen of Scots, fled to England.

• Iraq - Mass Graves Day
• Middlesex - Middlesex Day
• Southern Sudan - National Day
• Malaysia - Teachers' Day

• 1919 - Liberace, American pianist
• 1964 - John Salley, NBA player
• 1966 - Janet Jackson, singer
• 1973 - Tori Spelling, American actress
• 1986 - Megan Fox, American actress

• 1957 - Eliot Ness, federal agent
• 1984 - Andy Kaufman, American comedian
• 1990 - Sammy Davis, Jr., American entertainer
• 1990 - Jim Henson, American puppeteer
• 1993 - Marv Johnson, R&B and soul singer
• 2010 – Ronnie James Dio, American heavy metal vocalist

• 2009: Black Eyed Peas - Boom Boom Pow
• 2004: Usher - Burn
• 1996: Notorious B.I.G. - Hypnotize
• 1987: U2 - With or Without You
• 1970: The Guess Who - American Woman
• 1966: The Mamas & the Papas - Monday Monday Josh Hosler: Chart Topper Archive

• 2008: Prince Caspian - Georgie Henley
• 2007: Spider-Man 3 - Tobey Maguire
• 2006: Mission Impossible 3. - Tom Cruise
• 2005: Monster-in-Law - Jane Fonda
• 2004: Troy - Brad Pitt
• 1998: Deep Impact - Morgan Freeman The Numbers: Historical Box Office Charts