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National days, ongoing national weeks and months, and global observances for May 16, 2026. Plus historical events and birthdays.
These observances run for a full week; this calendar day falls inside the week.
These observances last the full month; this date is part of that month-long celebration.
Showing the first 12 on this date; there are more month-long observances. See the full months list for May.
International and other global observances on this date (may include days, weeks, or months).
Events that occurred on May 16 throughout history
The US. purchased Alaska from Russia on March 30, 1867, for $7.2 million. The purchase was formalized on October 18, 1867. The state was an incorporated territory on August 24, 1912, before finally achieving statehood on January 3, 1959.
President James A. Garfield appointed Frederick Douglass as the Recorder of Deeds for the District of Columbia. Douglass held the position for five years (1881 to 1886) and used his position to push for equal treatment of African Americans in D.C. and to staff his office with Black employees.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum) is published in the U.S. The book sold all 10,000 copies that were printed before the official release date. The book is considered America's first great fairy tale, written to create a "modernized" story for children.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) was founded on May 17, 1792, when 24 stockbrokers signed the "Buttonwood Agreement" under a buttonwood tree at 68 Wall Street in New York City. This agreement established a structured, centralized market for securities trading with set commissions to promote public confidence. The brokers pledged to "not buy or sell from this day for any person whatsoever, any kind of Public Stock, at a less rate than one quarter percent Commission"
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