In History, Today on May 16

The World Health Organization declares the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ebola outbreak over, marking the end of the second-largest Ebola outbreak in history.

Taiwan became the first Asian country to legalize same-sex marriage after its parliament passed a bill allowing same-sex couples to marry.

The United States officially opens its embassy in Jerusalem, following President Donald Trump's recognition of the city as Israel's capital, a move that sparked international controversy and protests.

EgyptAir Flight 804 crashes into the Mediterranean Sea while en route from Paris to Cairo, killing all 66 people on board.

The International Court of Justice ruled in favor of Australia in a case against Japan's whaling program, ordering Japan to halt its whaling activities in the Antarctic.

Scientists announce the creation of a synthetic yeast chromosome, a significant step in synthetic biology.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and other senior officials in response to the violent crackdown on protesters during the Syrian Civil War.

The Shusha Memorial in Russia was opened on the tenth anniversary of the end of fighting in the Shusha district of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The International Court of Justice rules in favor of Singapore in a territorial dispute with Malaysia regarding the Pedra Branca islet.

Nicolas Sarkozy was inaugurated as the President of France, succeeding Jacques Chirac.

Kuwait grants women the right to vote and run for office in parliamentary elections.

A series of suicide bombings occurred in Casablanca, Morocco, targeting various locations including a hotel, a Jewish community center, and a Spanish restaurant, resulting in 33 civilian deaths and over 100 injuries.

Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch to address the United States Congress.

Junko Tabei becomes the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest.

The Cultural Revolution in China begins officially with a directive issued by the Chinese Communist Party under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong. The aim was to preserve Chinese communism by purging remnants of capitalist and traditional elements from Chinese society and reimposing Maoism as the dominant ideology.

Theodore Maiman operates the first laser at Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, California.

Chaim Weizmann was elected as the first President of Israel by the Provisional State Council. This came shortly after the declaration of the establishment of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948.

Following fierce fighting, the German SS forces crushed the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, marking an end to the largest single revolt by Jews during World War II against the Nazi German regime.

The first Academy Awards ceremony takes place in Hollywood, California.

The Sedition Act of 1918 was passed by the United States Congress, expanding the Espionage Act of 1917 to cover a broader range of offenses, notably speech and the expression of opinion that cast the government or the war effort in a negative light.

The U.S. Senate voted on the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, falling one vote short of conviction.

The U.S. Congress establishes the nickel, a five-cent coin, replacing the half dime.

The Peninsular War: In the Battle of Albuera, British, Spanish, and Portuguese forces under the command of Sir William Beresford defeated the French army under Marshal Soult.

The Continental Congress approved the coordinates for the design of the first United States Flag, which later became known as the Stars and Stripes.

The Battle of Alamance, a pre-Revolutionary War battle between local militia and a group of rebellious farmers known as the Regulators, occurred in North Carolina.

Marie Antoinette marries Louis-Auguste, who later becomes King Louis XVI of France.

Louis XIV became King of France at the age of four following the death of his father, Louis XIII.

Florence expels the Medici family and restores a republican government.

Baldwin IX, Count of Flanders, is crowned as the first Latin Emperor of Constantinople following the Fourth Crusade's capture of the city.

In the Battle of Fraxinet, a Frankish coalition defeated the Muslim pirates who had established a base in Fraxinet on the southern coast of what is now France, effectively dismantling the pirate's stronghold in the region.

The Battle of Antioch took place, where Roman Emperor Macrinus was defeated by the forces of Elagabalus, leading to Macrinus' eventual downfall.