From royal weddings and Hollywood milestones to major moments in Australian history, May 16 has seen its fair share of memorable events.

1770 — Marie Antoinette marries the future King of France

On this day in 1770, 14-year-old Marie Antoinette married Louis-Auguste, who would later become King Louis XVI of France. The lavish royal wedding took place in Versailles and helped cement the alliance between France and Austria.

1929 — The first Academy Awards are held

The very first Academy Awards ceremony took place on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. The event honoured outstanding achievements in film and would later become known worldwide as the Oscars.

1975 — Junko Tabei reaches the summit of Mount Everest

Japanese mountaineer Junko Tabei became the first woman to successfully climb Mount Everest on this day in 1975, paving the way for future generations of female adventurers.

1966 — Petty larceny is abolished in Victoria

In a significant legal reform for Australia, Victoria abolished the offence of petty larceny on May 16, 1966, modernising parts of the state’s criminal law system.

Also born on this day

Henry Fonda (1905)
Janet Jackson (1966)
Megan Fox (1986)