May 16
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Aaron(Coptic Church), Abda and Abdjesus, and companions:Abdas of Susa, Andrew Bobola, Brendan the Navigator(Roman Catholic Church,Anglican Communion,Eastern Orthodox Church), Caroline Chisholm(Church of England), Gemma Galgani(Passionists Calendar), Germerius, Honoratus of Amiens, John of Nepomuk, Margaret of Cortona, Peregrine of Auxerre, Simon Stock, Ubald(seeSaint Ubaldo Day), May 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
May 16 marks numerous Christian feast days, honoring a diverse group of saints across Coptic, Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox traditions. Faithful commemorate these figures through liturgical services and prayers.
Martyrs of Sudan(Episcopal Church (USA))
The Episcopal Church USA observes the Martyrs of Sudan on May 16, honoring those who gave their lives amid conflict and persecution.
Mass Graves Day(Iraq)
Mass Graves Day in Iraq remembers the victims found in mass burial sites and raises awareness of past atrocities.
National Day, declared bySalva Kiir Mayardit(South Sudan)
South Sudan's National Day on May 16 commemorates the proclamation made by President Salva Kiir Mayardit celebrating the nation's identity and unity.
Teachers' Day(Malaysia)
Teachers' Day in Malaysia on May 16 celebrates the dedication and contributions of educators to the nation's development.
Aaron(Coptic Church)
May 16 is the feast day of Saint Aaron in the Coptic Orthodox Church, celebrating his life and faith.
Abda and Abdjesus, and companions:
Abdas of Susa
May 16 honors Abda and Abdjesus along with their companions, including Abdas of Susa, early Christian martyrs in Persia.
Andrew Bobola
Saint Andrew Bobola's feast on May 16 honors the Polish Jesuit priest and martyr renowned for his missionary zeal.
Brendan the Navigator(Roman Catholic Church,Anglican Communion,Eastern Orthodox Church)
Saint Brendan the Navigator's feast on May 16 celebrates the legendary Irish monk famed for his adventurous sea voyages.
Events
Emperor Suzaku abdicates the throne in favor of his brother Murakami who becomes the 62nd emperor of Japan.
In 946, Emperor Suzaku of Japan abdicated, passing the throne to his brother Murakami, who became the 62nd emperor.
Baldwin IX, Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire.
Baldwin IX, Count of Flanders, was crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire following the Fourth Crusade.
Hundred Years' War: Bertrand du Guesclin and a French army defeat the Anglo-Navarrese army of Charles the Bad at Cocherel.
During the Hundred Years' War in 1364, French forces under Bertrand du Guesclin defeated Charles the Bad’s army at Cocherel.
Gov. Thado of Mohnyin becomes King of Ava.
In 1426, Thado of Mohnyin ascended the throne to become King of Ava, consolidating power in the Burmese kingdom.
The Florentines drive out the Medici for a second time and Florence re-establishes itself as a republic.
Florentines expelled the Medici family for a second time in 1527, restoring the Republic of Florence.
Sir Thomas More resigns as Lord Chancellor of England.
Sir Thomas More resigned as Lord Chancellor of England in 1532, resisting King Henry VIII's policies.
Mary, Queen of Scots, flees to England.
Mary, Queen of Scots, fled to England in 1568 seeking protection after being deposed by Scottish nobles.
Santiago de Vera becomes sixth governor-general of the Spanish colony of the Philippines.
Santiago de Vera was appointed the sixth Governor-General of the Spanish Philippines in 1584.
The Battle of Vasai concludes as the Marathas defeat the Portuguese army.
The Marathas defeated the Portuguese army at the Battle of Vasai in 1739, expanding their influence in western India.
Births
John II of Cyprus
King of Cyprus and Armenia and titular King of Jerusalem from 1432 to 1458.
Wolfgang I of Oettingen
German count of the House of Oettingen during the late 15th and early 16th centuries.
Anna Sibylle of Hanau-Lichtenberg
German noblewoman of the House of Hanau-Lichtenberg in the 16th century.
John Bulwer
English physician and natural philosopher known for his pioneering studies of human gesture, anatomy, and sign language in the 17th century.
Pope from 1676 to 1689, noted for his financial reforms, opposition to nepotism, and support of the defense of Vienna against the Ottoman Empire.
Dudley North
English economist and politician best known for his advocacy of free trade and authoring the influential pamphlet "Discourses upon Trade".
William Talbot
British peer and politician who served as Lord Steward of the Household and was created 1st Earl Talbot in 1761.
Maria Gaetana Agnesi
Italian mathematician and philosopher, celebrated for her work in differential calculus and authoring one of the first comprehensive mathematics textbooks.
Louis Nicolas Vauquelin
French pharmacist and chemist who discovered the elements beryllium and chromium and made significant advances in organic chemistry.
Deaths
Emperor Wu of Jin
Founding emperor of the Jin dynasty who unified China after the Three Kingdoms period.
Qian Kuan
Chinese nobleman in the late Tang dynasty.
Meng Hanqiong
Eunuch official of the Later Tang dynasty.
Fujiwara no Michitaka
Heian-period Japanese nobleman who served as regent and strengthened his clan's influence at court.
Lambert of Arras
Flemish bishop of the early 12th century.
John Komnenos Vatatzes
Byzantine general of the 12th century.
Simon Stock
English Carmelite monk and saint associated with the Brown Scapular.
Liu Bowen
Chinese military strategist, statesman, and poet of the early Ming dynasty.
Gian Maria Visconti
Duke of Milan whose short reign was marked by court intrigue.