Today in History: 1966, China’s Cultural Revolution begins

May 16, 2026

Today is Saturday, May 16, the 136th day of 2026. There are 229 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 16, 1966, the Chinese Communist Party issued the May 16 Notification, a document that criticized "counterrevolutionary revisionists" within the party and marked the beginning of the Cultural Revolution. Also on this date: In 1770, Marie Antoinette, age 14, married the future King Louis XVI of France, who was 15. In 1868, having already been impeached by the House of Representatives, President Andrew Johnson narrowly avoided impeachment by the Senate, which voted 35-19 ...

Today in History: 1970, police kill two students during Jackson State protests

May 15, 2026

Today is Friday, May 15, the 135th day of 2026. There are 230 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 15, 1970, less than two weeks after the National Guard shooting at Kent State University, two Black students at Jackson State College in Mississippi were killed and 12 were injured ...

Today in History: 1804, Lewis and Clark Expedition begins

May 14, 2026

Today is Thursday, May 14, the 134th day of 2026. There are 231 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 14, 1804, the Lewis and Clark expedition, organized to explore the Louisiana Territory as well as the Pacific Northwest, began its journey near present-day Hartford, ...

Today in History: May 13, United States declares war on Mexico

May 13, 2026

Today in History: May 13, United States declares war on Mexico By The Associated Press Today is Wednesday, May 13, the 133rd day of 2026. There are 232 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 13, 1846, the United States Congress formally declared war against Mexico, following ...

Today in History: May 12, tens of thousands die in Sichuan earthquake

May 12, 2026

Today in History: May 12, tens of thousands die in Sichuan earthquake By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, May 12, the 132nd day of 2026. There are 233 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 12, 2008, a devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China’s Sichuan province left ...

Today in History: May 11, Deep Blue defeats Kasparov

May 11, 2026

Today in History: May 11, Deep Blue defeats Kasparov By The Associated Press Today is Monday, May 11, the 131st day of 2026. There are 234 days left in the year. Today in history: On May 11, 1997, the IBM supercomputer Deep Blue defeated chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in the final game ...