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2016 in the United States#May

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{{Year in the United States|2016}}

{{Year in U.S. states and territories|2016}}

Events in the year 2016 in the United States.

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Incumbents

= Federal government =

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! Governors and lieutenant governors

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= Governors =

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=Lieutenant governors=

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Events

= January =

  • January 1{{spaced endash}}The following laws go into effect:{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/new-year-s-day-hundreds-new-laws-across-country-go-n486741|work=NBC News|title=New Year's Day: Hundreds of New Laws Across the Country Go Into Effect|date=January 1, 2016|access-date=January 3, 2016}}
  • Hawaii becomes the first state to raise the legal smoking age to 21.
  • Texas allows the open carry of guns in public places.
  • Tennessee launches the nation's first statewide registry of animal abusers.
  • Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Maryland, ban the storage of food in Styrofoam containers.
  • January 2–26{{spaced endash}}The 3 Percenters and several other armed militia organizations take over the headquarters of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon, in a series of incidents stemming from the 2014 Bundy standoff. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) ends the occupation with a shootout, killing one militiaman and arresting five others, including leader Ammon Bundy.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35216879|work=BBC News|title=Oregon: Armed protest at US wildlife building|date=January 3, 2016|access-date=March 2, 2019}}{{cite news|title=Ammon Bundy held; 1 Oregon protester killed|first1=Evan|last1=Perez|first2=Holly|last2=Yan|first3=Dana|last3=Ford|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=January 26, 2016|newspaper=CNN|url=http://www.wyff4.com/national/oregon-protest-leader-ammon-bundy-is-arrested/37654910}}
  • January 5{{spaced endash}}President Obama introduces executive orders to expand the enforcement of federal gun laws.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiesola/2016/01/06/obama-gun-control/|work=Forbes|title=Here Are Obama's New Executive Actions on Gun Control|date=January 6, 2016|access-date=January 8, 2016}}
  • January 6 – Star Wars: The Force Awakens becomes the highest-grossing film in North America, beating previous record-holder Avatar{{'s}} lifetime gross of $760 million in just 20 days of release.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/star-wars-the-force-awakens-highest-grossing-film-domestic-box-office-record-beats-avatar-1201676602/ |publisher=Deadline |title='Star Wars: The Force Awakens' is the Highest Grossing Film of All Time At U.S. Box Office |date=January 6, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • January 8{{spaced endash}}The Obama administration announces an alliance with tech companies—including Apple, Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Twitter—to block the recruitment of Americans to Islamic extremist groups, specifically the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), via social media.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35266158|work=BBC News|title=White House unveils measures to counter IS propaganda|date=January 8, 2016|access-date=January 8, 2016}}
  • January 9{{spaced endash}}For the first time in its history, the national Powerball lottery prize surpasses $1 billion.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/powerball-winners-jackpot-grows-estimated-13-billion/story?id=36184696|work=ABC News|title=With No Powerball Winners, Jackpot Grows to Estimated $1.3 Billion|date=January 10, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2016}}
  • January 10{{spaced endash}}73rd Golden Globe Awards: The Revenant wins the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama, with Leonardo DiCaprio winning the award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama and Alejandro G. Iñárritu winning Best Director. The Martian wins the award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, and Matt Damon wins Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Brie Larson wins Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Room, and Jennifer Lawrence wins Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical for Joy. Mr. Robot wins Best Television Series – Drama; Mozart in the Jungle wins Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy; and Wolf Hall wins Best Miniseries or Television Film.{{cite web|title=The Golden Globes: Full List of Winners and Nominees|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/golden-globes-full-list-nominees-n493016|work=NBC News|date=January 11, 2016 |access-date=April 10, 2016}}
  • January 12{{spaced endash}}President Obama gives his final State of the Union Address to the 114th United States Congress.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2015/11/30/when-2016-state-union|title=When is the 2016 State of the Union?|date=November 30, 2015|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|access-date=January 16, 2016}}
  • January 14{{spaced endash}}The nominees for the 88th Academy Awards are announced at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California. The nominees for Best Picture are The Big Short, Bridge of Spies, Brooklyn, Mad Max: Fury Road, The Martian, The Revenant, Room, and Spotlight. The nominees are criticized for their lack of diversity, resulting in boycotts by celebrities like Will Smith and Spike Lee, an official motion by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to increase diversity in its membership. Chris Rock decides to stay on as Awards host and address the issue during the ceremony.{{cite magazine|last1=Coggan|first1=Devan|title=John Krasinski, Guillermo del Toro, Ang Lee to announce Oscar nominations|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/11/oscars-john-krasinski-guillermo-del-toro-ang-lee|access-date=January 11, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=January 13, 2016}}{{cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/spike-lee-jada-pinkett-smith-boycott-2016-academy/story?id=36357229|title=Spike Lee, Jada Pinkett Smith to Boycott the 2016 Academy Awards Over Lack of Diversity in Nominations|first=Joi-Marie|last=McKenzie|work=ABC News|access-date=January 21, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://www.oscars.org/news/academy-takes-historic-action-increase-diversity|title=Lifetime voting rights reframed; new governor seats added and committees restructured – Goal to double number of diverse members by 2020|publisher=The Academy|access-date=January 22, 2016}}{{cite news|title=Chris Rock Still Hosting Oscars; Monologue to Tackle #OscarsSoWhite|author=Marianne Zumberge|work=Variety|date=2016-01-23|access-date=2022-10-01|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/awards/chris-rock-oscars-diversity-1201687097/}}{{cite news|title=OscarsSoWhite: Chris Rock exposed the depths of the industry's race problem|author=Steven W Thrasher|work=The Guardian|date=2016-02-29|access-date=2022-10-01|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2016/feb/29/oscars-so-white-academy-awards-2016-chris-rock-diversity/}}
  • January 15{{spaced endash}}Myloh Jaqory Mason, a fugitive on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, is arrested in Thornton, Colorado, after being added to the list on December 17, 2015, for two bank robberies and two attempted murders.{{cite web|last1=Sederholm|first1=Jillian|title='Scream Robber' Myloh Jaqory Mason From FBI Most Wanted List Arrested in Colorado.|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/scream-robber-myloh-jaqory-mason-fbi-most-wanted-list-arrested-n497846|work=NBC News|date=January 16, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2016}}
  • January 16
  • President Obama announces a federal state of emergency in Flint, Michigan, allowing additional support from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in response to the ongoing contamination of tap water in the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2016/01/16/president-obama-declares-emergency-flint/78898604/|publisher=Detroit Free Press|title=President Obama declares emergency in Flint|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2016}}
  • The United States lifts several economic sanctions against Iran in accordance with a multinational agreement made in July 2014 concerning Iran's nuclear program. Sanctions concerning Iran's human rights abuses, missile activity, and support for terrorism remain in effect.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/16/463168647/u-n-nuclear-watchdog-confirms-iran-nuclear-deal-set-to-be-implemented|publisher=NPR|title=Implementation Day Arrives: Sanctions On Iran Are Lifted|date=January 16, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2016}}
  • January 21–24{{spaced endash}}A crippling winter storm hits the central and eastern United States, producing several feet of snow and ice (as well as strong winds and tornadoes in some areas) and killing 55 people.
  • January 25{{spaced endash}}A Texas grand jury finds no wrongdoing on the part of Planned Parenthood after a series of undercover videos made by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP), an anti-abortion organization, purported to show Planned Parenthood employees selling fetal tissue and organs. The grand jury indicts CMP founder David Daleiden and another videographer.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35405636|work=BBC News|title=Filmmakers who targeted Planned Parenthood face charges|date=January 26, 2016|access-date=January 27, 2016}}
  • January 30{{spaced endash}}During a brawl between rival motorcycle clubs, gunfire and stabbings kill one person and injure seven at the National Western Complex in Denver, Colorado.{{cite news|title=One Dead and Several Wounded in Shooting at Colorado Motorcycle Expo|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/31/us/shooting-disturbance-at-colorado-motorcycle-expo-in-denver-leaves-dead-and-wounded.html |via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|access-date=January 30, 2016}}

= February =

= March =

  • March 1{{spaced endash}}Super Tuesday: Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump each win seven states on the Democratic and Republican sides, respectively. In the Democratic primaries, Clinton takes Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia; Bernie Sanders takes Colorado, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Vermont. In the Republican primaries, Trump wins Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia; Ted Cruz wins Alaska, Oklahoma, and Texas; and Senator Marco Rubio (R-Florida) wins Minnesota.{{Citation needed|date=March 2016}}
  • March 3 – 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney condemns GOP frontrunner Donald Trump in a speech at the University of Utah.{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=David |title=Romney blasts Trump as a 'fraud' Clinton would beat |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/03/03/mitt-romney-donald-trump-hillary-clinton-republican-party/81256620/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
  • March 4
  • Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson suspends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.{{cite web|title=Ben Carson drops out of presidential race: 'I'm leaving the campaign trail'|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/mar/04/ben-carson-ends-republican-presidential-campaign|work=The Guardian|date=4 March 2016 |access-date=March 4, 2016}}
  • Walt Disney Animation Studios' 55th feature film, Zootopia, is released in theatres to acclaim as the studio's most critically well-received film since 1994's The Lion King. It is, at that point, Disney's second-most commercially successful animated film behind 2013's Frozen and the second to cross the billion-dollar mark.
  • March 9
  • Pablo Antonio Serrano-Vitorino, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, is arrested on suspicion of killing five men in a shooting spree.{{cite news|last1=Park|first1=Madison|last2=Castillo|first2=Mariano|title=Suspect in 5 killings slipped through deportation net|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/09/us/kansas-shootings-suspect-arrest/|work=CNN|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 9, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=Siemaszko|first1=Corky|last2=Johnson|first2=Alex|title=Cops Arrest Quadruple Homicide Suspect Pablo Antonio Serrano-Vitorino|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/cops-arrest-quadruple-homicide-suspect-pablo-antonio-serrano-vitorino-n533951|work=NBC News|date=March 9, 2016|access-date=March 9, 2016}}
  • The death toll in the country's largest outbreak of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica rises to 18 in Wisconsin,{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-mysterious-infection-may-have-killed-18-people-in-wisconsin-and-health-officials-aren%e2%80%99t-sure-why/ar-AAgC3fq?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout|title=A mysterious infection may have killed 18 people in Wisconsin, and health officials aren't sure why|website=Msn.com|access-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311015021/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-mysterious-infection-may-have-killed-18-people-in-wisconsin-and-health-officials-aren%e2%80%99t-sure-why/ar-AAgC3fq?li=BBnbfcL&ocid=mailsignout|archive-date=March 11, 2016|url-status=dead}} with 44 more infected.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/rare-elizabethkingia-bacteria-outbreak-infects-44-wisconsin-killing/story?id=37399793|title=Rare Elizabethkingia Bacteria Outbreak Infects 44 in Wisconsin, Killing 18|website=ABC News|date=March 4, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2016}}
  • Six people are killed and three others injured in a mass shooting at a house in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania.{{cite news|title=Shooting That Killed 5 at Party Near Pittsburgh Was Planned, Police Say|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/11/us/mass-shooting-wilkinsburg-pittsburgh.html|via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 9, 2016}}
  • March 11{{spaced endash}}At least four people are injured and five are arrested in Chicago when protesters demonstrating against Donald Trump scuffle with Trump supporters at a canceled Trump rally.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/11/politics/donald-trump-chicago-protests/index.html|title=Trump rally in Chicago postponed as protesters, supporters clash|website=CNN|access-date=March 12, 2016}}
  • March 14{{spaced endash}}Abu Omar al-Shishani, a commander for the Islamic State, dies after being wounded in a U.S. airstrike near Al-Shaddadah, Syria, on March 4.{{cite web|title=Abu Omar Al-Shishani Dead: US Officials Confirm Senior ISIS Commander Succumbed To Injuries From US Airstrike|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/abu-omar-al-shishani-dead-us-officials-confirm-senior-isis-commander-succumbed-2336499|website=IB Times|date=March 15, 2016|publisher=International Business Times|access-date=March 15, 2016}}
  • March 15{{spaced endash}}Marco Rubio suspends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination after losing the primary in his home state, Florida.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/16/us/politics/marco-rubio.html|work=The New York Times|title=A Distant Second at Home, Marco Rubio Ends Disappointing Campaign|date=March 15, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}}
  • March 16{{spaced endash}}President Obama nominates Merrick Garland to replace Antonin Scalia on the Supreme Court.{{cite news |title=Merrick Garland to be Obama's Supreme Court nominee|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-35823234|date=March 16, 2016|work=BBC News|access-date=March 16, 2016}}
  • March 21{{spaced endash}}President Obama lands in Cuba for a meeting with Cuban President Raúl Castro, becoming the first U.S. president to visit Cuba since 1928.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/20/barack-obama-cuba-visit-us-politics-shift-public-opinion-diplomacy|work=The Guardian|title=Obama lands in Cuba as first president to visit in nearly a century|date=March 21, 2016|access-date=March 22, 2016}}
  • March 25{{spaced endash}}Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, directed by Zack Snyder, is released as the second film in the DC Extended Universe and a follow-up to 2013's Man of Steel. An extended cut, dubbed the "Ultimate Edition", is later released digitally on June 28.
  • March 28
  • The Department of Justice announces that it has unlocked the iPhone of a suspect in the 2015 San Bernardino attack without the help of Apple, after a heated public debate over the department's handling of encryption software in counter-terrorism efforts.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/29/technology/apple-iphone-fbi-justice-department-case.html|work=The New York Times|title=U.S. Says It Has Unlocked iPhone Without Apple|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}}
  • The United States Capitol is placed under lockdown after a man opens fire near the Capitol Visitor Center. The suspect is shot by police and taken into custody.{{cite web|last1=Bradner|first1=Eric|title=Capitol shooting: Suspect in custody – CNNPolitics.com|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/28/politics/u-s-capitol-and-white-house-on-lockdown/index.html?eref=rss_us|website=CNN|date=March 28, 2016|access-date=March 29, 2016}}
  • March 31–April 1{{spaced endash}}The 2016 Nuclear Security Summit is held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., with 58 participants in attendance. It is the fourth edition of the conference, following the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit.{{cite web|last1=D.C.|first1=Washington|title=2016 Nuclear Security Summit|url=http://dc.gov/2016summit|website=DC.gov|access-date=April 2, 2016}}

= April =

  • April 2
  • A coalition of progressive groups begins a ten-day march from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C., with the goal of revealing corruption in campaign finance and "rigged voting laws". The group also demands a Senate hearing on President Obama's Supreme Court nomination. Participants include political commentator Cenk Uygur, actress Rosario Dawson, law professor Lawrence Lessig, and Ben & Jerry's co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield. As of April 18, more than 1,200 protesters had been arrested.{{cite web|title=Our Demands – Democracy Spring|url=http://www.democracyspring.org/demands|website=democracyspring.org|publisher=Democracy Spring|access-date=April 2, 2016|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416042634/http://www.democracyspring.org/demands|archive-date=April 16, 2016}}
  • The United States Air Force deploys twelve F-15 Eagles and 350 personnel to Iceland and the Netherlands to deter further Russian aggression in Europe.{{cite web|last1=Cohen|first1=Zachary|title=U.S. F-15s deployed to Iceland|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/02/politics/f-15s-deployed-to-iceland-and-netherlands/index.html|website=CNN|date=April 2, 2016 |access-date=April 2, 2016}}
  • A Lancair IV monoplane crashes into a parked car along a highway 50 miles north of San Diego, injuring five people and killing one.{{cite web|title=Roller derby skater dies in I-15 plane crash|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/apr/02/crash-airplane-car-interstae-fallbrook/|website=The San Diego Union-Tribune|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2016}}
  • April 3{{spaced endash}}An Amtrak passenger train on the Palmetto route, traveling from New York City to Savannah, Georgia, with 341 passengers and seven crew members on board, derails in Chester, Pennsylvania, after striking a backhoe on the tracks, injuring 35 and killing two.{{cite news|title=Amtrak restores service after fatal crash; investigation continues|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/03/us/philadelphia-amtrak-derailment/|website=CNN|access-date=April 3, 2016}}
  • April 4{{spaced endash}}The Villanova Wildcats defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels, 77–74, in the NCAA Men's Championship.{{cite web|last1=Texas|first1=Houston|title=NCAA Basketball|url=http://scores.nbcsports.com/cbk/boxscore.asp?gamecode=201604040413|website=NBC Sports|access-date=April 5, 2016}}
  • April 5
  • Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Allergan terminate a planned $160 billion merger because of the Obama administration's new regulations on tax inversion. Pfizer will have to pay $400 million to Allergan for expenses in relation to the deal.{{cite news|last1=McCracken|first1=Jeffrey|title=Pfizer to Terminate $160 Billion Merger With Allergan|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-04-06/pfizer-allergan-plan-to-mutually-end-merger-cnbc-reports|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date=6 April 2016 |access-date=April 6, 2016}}
  • Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signs a bill allowing private businesses and religious groups to deny services to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people.{{cite news|last1=Amy|first1=Jeff|title=Mississippi gov. signs law allowing service denial to gays|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/mississippi-gov-signs-law-allowing-service-denial-to-gays/2016/04/05/ca7b62e6-fb8d-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911172504/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/mississippi-gov-signs-law-allowing-service-denial-to-gays/2016/04/05/ca7b62e6-fb8d-11e5-813a-90ab563f0dde_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 11, 2019|via=washingtonpost.com|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 5, 2016}} The law is later blocked by federal judge Carlton W. Reeves.{{cite web|url=http://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2016/07/01/house-bill-1523-struck-down/86587988/|title=Judge: HB 1523 violates religious neutrality, equal protection|last1=Swayze|first1=Royce|last2=Fowler|first2=Sarah|date=July 1, 2016|website=Clarion Ledger|access-date=July 16, 2016}}
  • The Connecticut Huskies defeat the Syracuse Orange, 82–51, in the NCAA Women's Championship.{{cite web|last1=Martin|first1=Jill|title=NCAA championship: UConn wins unprecedented 4th consecutive title|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/05/us/uconn-syracuse-ncaa-womens-national-championship-game/index.html|website=CNN|date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2016}}
  • The Wisconsin primaries are held. Ted Cruz beats Donald Trump and Ohio Governor John Kasich to win the Republican race. Bernie Sanders defeats Hillary Clinton in the Democratic race.{{cite web|title=2016 presidential election in Wisconsin|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Election|website=ABC News|access-date=April 5, 2016}}
  • April 7 – American Idol concludes its 15-season run on Fox, with Trent Harmon being declared the final winner of the reality competition series' original run. (Idol would be revived on ABC after a two-year hiatus in March 2018.){{cite web|last1=Bentley|first1=Jean|title=American Idol Crowns Its Final Winner: Was It Trent Harmon or La'Porsha Renae?|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/754941/american-idol-crowns-its-final-winner-was-it-trent-harmon-or-la-porsha-renae|website=eonline.com|publisher=E! Online|access-date=April 7, 2016}}
  • April 8
  • An airman shoots and kills a squadron commander and then himself at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36000383|work=BBC News|title=Two dead in US Air Force base shooting|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}}
  • Bernie Sanders accepts an invitation by Pope Francis to visit the Vatican, becoming the first American presidential candidate to receive such an invitation.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-35999269|work=BBC News|title=US election: Bernie Sanders invited to Vatican by Pope|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}}
  • SpaceX successfully launches its Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on a NASA cargo run to the International Space Station, and lands its reusable main-stage booster on an autonomous spaceport drone ship.{{cite web|last1=Drake|first1=Nadia|author1-link=Nadia Drake|title=SpaceX Rocket Makes Spectacular Landing on Drone Ship|url=http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/08/spacex-rocket-makes-spectacular-landing-on-drone-ship/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420062151/http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2016/04/08/spacex-rocket-makes-spectacular-landing-on-drone-ship/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 20, 2016|work=National Geographic|date=April 8, 2016|access-date=April 8, 2016}}
  • April 9{{spaced endash}}The United States Air Force deploys B-52 bombers to Al Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar, to join the fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.{{cite news|title=U.S. deploys B-52 bombers to Qatar for fight against Islamic State|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-usa-bombers-idUSKCN0X60F1|website=reuters.com|date=April 9, 2016|agency=Reuters|access-date=April 10, 2016}}
  • April 11{{spaced endash}}John Kerry becomes the first Secretary of State to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where he and other Group of Seven (G7) members lay wreaths. Before Kerry's trip, Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California)—then the Speaker of the House of Representatives—was the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit the memorial.{{cite news|title=Kerry says Hiroshima 'gut-wrenching' reminder world should abandon nuclear weapons|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-japan-idUSKCN0X802S|website=reuters.com|date=April 11, 2016|agency=Reuters|access-date=April 11, 2016}}
  • April 12{{spaced endash}}Two unarmed Russian Sukhoi Su-24 jets fly simulated attacks against the U.S. Navy destroyer Donald Cook in the Baltic Sea. Later, a Russian Kamov Ka-27 naval helicopter is seen making seven passes around the warship while taking pictures.{{cite web|title=Russia jets make 'simulated attack' passes near U.S. destroyer: U.S.|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-simulatedattack-idUSKCN0XA1UW|website=reuters.com|publisher=Reuters|access-date=April 12, 2016}}
  • April 13
  • Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards signs an order banning discrimination against the LGBT community. The order reverses the policies of his predecessor, Bobby Jindal, who signed laws limiting same-sex marriage and the ability of transgender people to use the public restrooms of their choice.{{cite web|title=John Bel Edwards moves Louisiana toward inclusiveness with LGBT order: Editorial|url=http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/louisiana_same_sex_rights.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420124946/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2016/04/louisiana_same_sex_rights.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 20, 2016|website=nola.com|publisher=NOLA|access-date=April 13, 2016}}
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that the Zika virus causes birth defects.{{cite web|title=CDC says it's 'now clear' that Zika virus causes microcephaly|url=https://www.foxnews.com/health/cdc-says-its-now-clear-that-zika-virus-causes-microcephaly/|website=Fox News|date=April 13, 2016|access-date=April 13, 2016}}
  • Kobe Bryant plays his final NBA game for the Los Angeles Lakers. Bryant, who played his entire 20-year career with the Lakers, sets a new points record for a final game, scoring 60 against the Utah Jazz.{{cite news|title=The Latest: Kobe and the Warriors delivered in finales|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/the-latest-ex-bulls-c-wennington-not-pulling-for-warriors/2016/04/13/7f336192-01d4-11e6-8bb1-f124a43f84dc_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414041705/https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/wizards/the-latest-ex-bulls-c-wennington-not-pulling-for-warriors/2016/04/13/7f336192-01d4-11e6-8bb1-f124a43f84dc_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 14, 2016|via=washingtonpost.com|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 13, 2016}}
  • The Golden State Warriors basketball team win their record 73rd regular season game. Surpassing the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls.
  • April 14
  • The top pick for the WNBA draft is UConn's Breanna Stewart, followed by her teammates Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck. This is the first time in any major North American sports draft that a single school produced the top three selections.{{cite web|title=Breanna Stewart top pick in WNBA, leading 1–2–3 UConn sweep|url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/15206002/wnba-draft-breanna-stewart-selected-seattle-storm-no-1-overall-pick|website=ESPN|date=April 14, 2016|access-date=April 15, 2016}}
  • Microsoft files a lawsuit against the United States, stating that it has been prevented from disclosing information to its customers when the government obtains a warrant to read emails or access data through the cloud.{{cite news|last1=McBride|first1=Sarah|title=Microsoft sues U.S. government over data requests|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-microsoft-privacy-idUSKCN0XB22U|website=reuters.com|date=14 April 2016 |agency=Reuters|access-date=April 15, 2016}}
  • A Russian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet intercepts and threatens a U.S. Air Force Boeing RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.{{cite web|title=Russian jet threatens U.S.reconnaissance aircraft|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/russian-jet-threatens-u-s-reconnaissance-aircraft|website=Fox News|access-date=April 15, 2016}}
  • April 18
  • 2016 Pulitzer Prizes: The Associated Press wins the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, and the Los Angeles Times wins the Pulitzer for Breaking News Reporting. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton wins the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen wins the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.{{cite web|title=2016 Pulitzer Prize Winners|url=http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-year/2016|website=pulitzer.org|publisher=Pulitzer|access-date=April 18, 2016}}
  • Severe flooding in Houston, Texas, causes damage to 1,000 homes, leaves 147,000 residents without power, and kills eight people.{{cite web|title=5 dead as historic, 20-inch rain swamps Houston area|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/04/18/texas-rain-flooding/83176532/|via=usatoday.com|work=USA Today|access-date=April 18, 2016}}
  • The 120th Boston Marathon is held with 30,000 runners. Ethiopian runners Lemi Berhanu Hayle and Atsede Baysa win the marathon.{{cite web|title=Ethiopians claim men's, women's titles at Boston Marathon|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/specials/boston-marathon/2016/04/18/boston-marathon/c1Ep6NCpnnPwbqEzUENKlL/story.html|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=April 18, 2016}}
  • April 19{{spaced endash}}The New York primary is held, with Donald Trump winning the Republican race and Hillary Clinton winning the Democratic race.{{cite news|title=New York Primary Results|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/new-york|via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|access-date=April 19, 2016}}
  • April 20
  • Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew announces that former slave and abolitionist Harriet Tubman will replace Andrew Jackson on the twenty-dollar bill.{{cite news|title=Harriet Tubman Ousts Andrew Jackson in Change for a $20|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/21/us/women-currency-treasury-harriet-tubman.html|via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|date=April 20, 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2016|last1=Calmes |first1=Jackie }}
  • Four people are killed when a small plane crashes in Anchorage, Alaska.{{cite web|title=Former NTSB investigator was pilot in crash that killed 4 near Chugiak|url=http://www.adn.com/article/20160420/4-reported-dead-fiery-plane-crash-near-chugiak|website=adn.com|publisher=Alaskan Dispatch News|access-date=April 20, 2016}}
  • CIA programmer Joshua Schulte allegedly stole backup files from a program called Confluence prior to the program's hacking tools being leaked.{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/03/09/mistrial-declared-at-federal-trial-of-accused-cia-leaker-joshua-schulte/|title=Mistrial declared at federal trial of accused CIA leaker Joshua Schulte|work=New York Post|author1=Ben Feuerherd|author2=Jorge Fitz-Gibbon|date=March 9, 2020|access-date=March 10, 2020}}
  • April 21 – Music legend Prince dies at the age of 57. To celebrate his legacy, cities across the U.S. hold vigils and light buildings, bridges, and other venues in purple.{{cite web|title=Purple Rain: Cities Across the Country Light Up in Memory of Prince|url=http://ktla.com/2016/04/21/bathed-in-purple-how-cities-across-the-u-s-are-honoring-prince/|website=ktla.com|publisher=KTLA 5|access-date=April 21, 2016}}
  • April 22
  • Eight family members are shot to death at four locations in Pike County, Ohio. Three children survive the attacks.{{cite web|title=Shooter or shooters likely at large after Ohio massacre, investigators say|url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/04/22/shooting-reportedly-kills-7-at-ohio-home.html|website=Fox News|date=April 22, 2016|access-date=April 22, 2016}}
  • Five people are killed in two separate shootings in Appling, Georgia.{{cite web|title=5 people killed after 2 shootings in Appling, Georgia, suspect believed dead|url=http://www.ajc.com/news/news/national/5-reported-dead-after-2-shootings-appling-georgia/nq9p4/|website=ajc.com|publisher=AJC|access-date=April 22, 2016}}
  • April 25
  • John Kasich and Ted Cruz announce that they will coordinate strategies to stop Donald Trump from winning the Republican presidential nomination: Kasich's campaign will ensure Cruz a "clear path" in Indiana, while Cruz's campaign will cut campaigning in New Mexico and Oregon.{{cite news|title=US election 2016: Cruz and Kasich team up to slow Trump|work=BBC News|date=April 25, 2016|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36127175|access-date=April 25, 2016}}
  • A court settlement calls for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, to pay $6 million to the family of Tamir Rice, a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed by two police officers in November 2014 after his toy gun was mistaken for a real one.{{cite news|title=Tamir Rice shooting: Cleveland to pay $6 million to settle family's lawsuit|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/25/us/tamir-rice-settlement/|website=CNN|access-date=April 25, 2016}}
  • CRF Frozen Foods recalls more than 300 products.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/CRF-Frozen-Food-Recall-Expands-Ajinomoto-Windsor-378730341.html |title=Listeria-Related CRF Frozen Food Recall Expands to Ajinomoto |publisher=NBC New York |date=May 9, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016}}
  • April 26{{spaced endash}}Super Tuesday III: Donald Trump wins all five states holding Republican primaries (Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island). In the Democratic primaries, Hillary Clinton takes Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, while Bernie Sanders takes Rhode Island.{{cite web|title=Trump Sweeps East Coast Primaries, Clinton Wins 4 of 5|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/live-blog-battle-delegates-intensifies-east-coast-primaries-n562336|work=NBC News|access-date=April 26, 2016}}
  • April 27
  • The bodies of American climber Alex Lowe and photographer David Bridges, who were killed and buried during an avalanche in 1999, are discovered on the Himalayan mountain Shishapangma.{{cite news|title=Body of world-class climber may have been found 16 years later|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/02/world/alex-lowe-climber-body/|website=CNN|access-date=April 27, 2016}}
  • Dennis Hastert, a former Speaker of the House, is sentenced to 15 months in prison for breaking banking laws through the payment of "hush money" to victims whom he had sexually abused.{{cite web|title=Dennis Hastert Sentenced to 15 Months in Prison in Hush-Money Case|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dennis-hastert-ex-house-speaker-arrives-sentencing-wheelchair-n563401|work=NBC News|date=April 27, 2016 |access-date=April 27, 2016}}
  • Ted Cruz announces that Carly Fiorina will be his running mate if he wins the Republican presidential nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36154990|work=BBC News|title=Ted Cruz picks Carly Fiorina as running mate|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=April 27, 2016}}
  • April 28{{spaced endash}}Comcast's NBCUniversal purchases DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion.{{cite web|title=NBCUniversal to Acquire DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 Billion|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/dreamworks-animation-3-8-billion-nbcuniversal-comcast-1201762634/|website=Variety|date=April 28, 2016|access-date=April 28, 2016}}
  • April 29
  • The United States Air Force lands two F-22 Raptors in Lithuania for the first time in a show of support for Lithuania and surrounding countries, which have been worried over Russia's involvement in Ukraine.{{cite news|title=U.S. F-22 Jets Land In Lithuania In Show Of Regional Support|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/us-f-22-fighter-jets-land-lithuania-show-of-force-aimed-at-russia/27705665.html|newspaper=Radiofreeeurope/Radioliberty|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|access-date=April 29, 2016}}
  • China denies a Hong Kong port call from Carrier Strike Group 3, which includes the {{USS|John C. Stennis}} and other escorting vessels.{{cite web|title=China denies U.S. aircraft carrier Hong Kong port visit|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/04/29/politics/us-aircraft-carrier-denied-entry-into-hong-kong-port/|website=CNN|date=April 29, 2016 |access-date=April 29, 2016}}
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the first U.S.-related death from the Zika virus, an elderly man in Puerto Rico.{{cite news|title=First U.S. Zika death reported in Puerto Rico|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/29/health/us-zika-death-puerto-rico/|website=CNN|access-date=April 29, 2016}}
  • April 30
  • President Obama attends his final White House Correspondents' Dinner, where comedian Larry Wilmore is the featured performer.{{cite web|title=Obama Drops Mic and 9 other Highlights From the White House Correspondents' Dinner|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/obama-drops-mic-highlights-white-house-correspondents-dinner/story?id=38792910|website=ABC News|access-date=April 30, 2016}}
  • Six people are killed in a car crash on Interstate 95 in Jupiter, Florida.{{cite news|title=Florida crash leaves 6 dead, including 4 children|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/01/us/florida-crash-6-dead/index.html|website=CNN|access-date=April 30, 2016}}

= May =

  • May 1
  • A cruise ship sets sail from Miami to Havana, Cuba, with more than 700 passengers on board, becoming the first in more than half a century to make the trip. The ship, Carnival Cruise Line's Adonia, was able to depart after a policy banning Cuban-born citizens from returning to the United States by sea was loosened. It docks in Havana on May 2.{{cite web|title=Cruise to Cuba: Travelers to 'make history' in Havana|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/cuba-cruise/fl-cuba-cruise-sails-20160501-story.html|website=sun-sentinel.com|publisher=Sun Sentinel|access-date=May 1, 2016|archive-date=May 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160502121734/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/cuba-cruise/fl-cuba-cruise-sails-20160501-story.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=Historic U.S. cruise docks in Havana|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/02/travel/us-cuba-cruise/index.html?adkey=bn|website=CNN|access-date=May 2, 2016}}
  • May Day: Protesters in Seattle begin to riot and attack law enforcement, injuring five police officers. Nine people are arrested.{{cite web|title=Seattle May Day Violence: 5 Police Injured in Clashes, 9 Arrested|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officers-injured-seattle-may-day-marchers-take-streets-n565691|work=NBC News|access-date=May 1, 2016}}
  • The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus officially retires its elephants after a final show in Providence, Rhode Island.{{cite news|title=Ringling Bros. elephants perform last show|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/01/us/ringling-bros-elephants-last-show/|website=CNN|access-date=May 1, 2016}}
  • The Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sava in New York City is almost destroyed in a four-alarm fire.{{cite web|title=Manhattan fire: Serbian Orthodox Cathedral gutted, firefighters on scene|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-02/huge-fire-rips-through-orthodox-cathedral-in-manhattan/7375134|website=abc.net.au|publisher=ABC|access-date=May 1, 2016}}
  • Fourteen of 175 cars of a CSX freight train derail in Washington, D.C., leaking three chemicals that are deemed hazardous to the public.{{cite web|title=CSX: Train Derails in DC, Leaks 3 Different Chemicals|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/CSX-Train-Derails-Hazardous-Material-Leaking-377725691.html|website=nbcwashington.com|date=May 2016 |publisher=NBC Washington|access-date=May 1, 2016}}
  • May 2 – The Loud House premieres on Nickelodeon and becomes the number-one children's animated series on television within its first month on the air.[https://deadline.com/2016/03/nickelodeon-rob-gronkowski-series-upfronts-2016-1201713187/ "Nickelodeon Adds Sports Stars Gronk, Melo And Skateboard Champ Eaton To Lineup – Upfronts'"] from Deadline, 3/2/2016
  • May 3
  • A city bus is hijacked in Washington, D.C., and the suspect crashes it into a gas station, killing a pedestrian.{{cite web|title=Video Shows Bus Hijacker Arrest After Hitting, Killing Man|url=http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/Metrobus-Attack-Hijacking-Pedestrian-Killed-377976341.html|website=nbcwashington.com|date=May 3, 2016 |publisher=NBC Washington|access-date=May 3, 2016}}
  • ISIL fighters ambush and kill Charles Keating IV, a Navy SEAL who was assisting Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the area. Keating is later identified as the grandson of financier Charles Keating Jr., who was known for his involvement in a 1980s savings and loan scandal. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey orders all state flags to be flown at half-staff on May 4.{{cite web|title=US navy Seal killed in 'direct fire' from Isis, Pentagon says|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/03/us-soldier-killed-in-northern-iraq|work=The Guardian|date=May 3, 2016|access-date=May 3, 2016}}
  • The Indiana primary is held, and Donald Trump wins the Republican race.{{cite news|title=US election 2016: Indiana primary results|work=BBC News |date=May 3, 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36198641|access-date=May 3, 2016}}
  • Ted Cruz suspends his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination.{{cite news|title=Ted Cruz drops out of the Republican presidential race|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ted-cruz-drops-out-of-the-republican-presidential-race/2016/05/03/8f955a06-0fe7-11e6-81b4-581a5c4c42df_story.html|via=washingtonpost.com|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=May 3, 2016}}
  • Three people are killed in a plane crash on Long Island.{{cite web|title=Pro race car driver David Berube among three killed in Long Island plane crash|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/pro-race-car-driver-killed-li-plane-crash-article-1.2625107|work=New York Daily News|access-date=May 3, 2016}}
  • May 4
  • John Kasich suspends his presidential campaign, leaving Donald Trump the presumptive Republican nominee.{{cite news|title=John Kasich drops out of presidential race|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/04/politics/john-kasich-drops-out/index.html|website=CNN|access-date=May 4, 2016}}
  • The Department of Justice informs North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory that a new state law limiting restroom access for transgender people violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It demands a response by May 9 on whether the state will correct the violations.{{cite news|title=Transgender law: North Carolina will meet federal deadline|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/04/us/north-carolina-transgender-law-challenge/|website=CNN|access-date=May 4, 2016}}
  • California raises the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 and restricts the use of electronic cigarettes in public places.{{cite web|last1=McGreevy|first1=Patrick|title=California's smoking age raised from 18 to 21 under bills signed by Gov. Brown|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/la-pol-sac-jerry-brown-smoking-bills-20160504-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 4, 2016}}
  • May 5{{spaced endash}}A warehouse burns down during a four-alarm fire in Houston.{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/four-alarm-fire-burns-at-business-in-west-houston/ar-BBsGaHn?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout |title=Four-alarm fire burns at business in west Houston |website=Msn.com |date=May 6, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/alarm-fire-ravages-west-houston-warehouse-complex/story?id=38901447 |title=4-Alarm Fire Ravages West Houston Warehouse Complex |website=ABC News |date=May 5, 2016 |access-date=June 2, 2016}}
  • May 6
  • Three people are killed and three others injured during a two-day shooting spree in Potomac, Maryland. The suspect is believed to be a former police officer.{{cite web|title=Suspect in custody in shootings at mall, grocery store, high school|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/suspect-in-custody-in-shootings-at-mall-grocery-store-high-school/ar-BBsIEyP?ocid=spartanntp|website=msn.com|publisher=MSN|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630075159/http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/suspect-in-custody-in-shootings-at-mall-grocery-store-high-school/ar-BBsIEyP?ocid=spartanntp|archive-date=June 30, 2016|url-status=dead}}
  • Captain America: Civil War, directed by the Russo brothers, is released by Marvel Studios as the 13th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the first film of its "Phase Three" slate and the sequel to 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger and 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. At release, it becomes the twelfth-highest-grossing film of all time (now the 22nd).
  • May 7{{spaced endash}}Nyquist, ridden by Mario Gutierrez, wins the Kentucky Derby.{{cite web|title=Nyquist Unrelenting in Kentucky Derby Victory|url=http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/211473/nyquist-unrelenting-in-kentucky-derby-victory|website=bloodhorse.com|publisher=The Blood-Horse|access-date=May 7, 2016}}
  • May 10
  • Three women are arrested at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago after being caught trying to smuggle 70 pounds ($3 million worth) of opium into the U.S.{{cite web|title=3 women caught at O'Hare allegedly carrying $3 million in opium|url=http://abc7chicago.com/news/police-3-women-caught-trying-to-smuggle-$3m-in-heroin-opium/1333075/|website=abc7chicago.com|publisher=WLS-TV|access-date=May 10, 2016}}
  • The West Virginia primary is held, with Donald Trump winning the Republican race and Bernie Sanders winning the Democratic race.{{cite news|title=West Virginia Primary Results|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/west-virginia|via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 10, 2016}} Trump wins the Republican primary in Nebraska.{{cite web|title=Trump triumphs in West Virginia, Nebraska|url=http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-triumphs-in-west-virginia-nebraska/article/2590967|website=washingtonexaminer.com|date=May 10, 2016 |publisher=Washington Examiner|access-date=May 10, 2016}}
  • NASA confirms the discovery of more than 1,284 exoplanets by its Kepler space observatory.{{cite web|title=Kepler's big discovery of 1,284 new exoplanets has been confirmed|url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/10/11650186/nasa-planet-hunting-spacecraft-kepler-1284-new-planets|website=theverge.com|date=May 10, 2016|publisher=The Verge|access-date=May 10, 2016}}
  • Four people are stabbed, two of them fatally, at a home and a shopping mall in Taunton, Massachusetts. The assailant is shot and killed by an off-duty sheriff.{{cite news|title=Suspect, 2 victims dead in Massachusetts attacks, police say|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/10/us/massachusetts-mall-stabbings/|website=CNN|access-date=May 10, 2016}}
  • May 12
  • Susannah Mushatt Jones, the world's oldest person and the last surviving American born in the 1800s, dies in New York at age 116.{{cite web | url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/worlds-oldest-person-dies-york-age-116-39083478 |title=World's Oldest Person Dies in New York at Age 116 | work=ABC News | date=May 13, 2016| access-date=May 13, 2016}}
  • CBS cancels CSI: Cyber, the last active TV series in the CSI franchise.{{cite web|title='CSI: Cyber' Canceled By CBS After 2 Seasons To End the 'CSI' Franchise|url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/csi-cyber-canceled-2-seasons-cbs-1201754436/|website=Deadline|date=12 May 2016 |access-date=May 12, 2016}}
  • May 13
  • The Department of Education and Department of Justice advise public school districts across the country to allow transgender students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity, rather than the gender assigned to them at birth.{{cite news|title=U.S. Directs Public Schools to Allow Transgender Access to Restrooms|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/13/us/politics/obama-administration-to-issue-decree-on-transgender-access-to-school-restrooms.html|via=nytimes.com|work=The New York Times|date=May 13, 2016 |access-date=May 13, 2016|last1=Davis |first1=Julie Hirschfeld |last2=Apuzzo |first2=Matt }}
  • Michael Strahan makes his final appearance as co-host on Live! with Kelly and Michael.{{cite web|last1=Kludt|first1=Tom|title=Michael Strahan signs off on 'Live,' ending awkward month with Kelly Ripa|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/05/13/media/michael-strahan-last-show-kelly-ripa/|website=CNN|date=May 13, 2016|access-date=May 13, 2016}}
  • May 14
  • Eight people are killed and 44 others injured after a charter bus rolls over on Route 83 north of Laredo, Texas.{{cite web|title=8 Dead, 44 Injured in Charter Bus Crash in Texas|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/8-dead-44-injured-bus-rollover-texas-n574196|work=NBC News|access-date=May 14, 2016}}
  • A pilot is killed when his stunt plane crashes during an air show at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport in DeKalb County, Georgia.{{cite web|title=Plane Crashes at Georgia Air Show, Pilot Killed|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plane-crashes-georgia-air-show-pilot-killed-n574186|work=NBC News|access-date=May 14, 2016}}
  • May 20 – The Angry Birds Movie is released in theaters.
  • May 21{{spaced endash}}A U.S. airstrike kills Mullah Akhtar Mansour, leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan.
  • May 22
  • A skydiving tour plane crashes in Hawaii, killing five people.
  • The U.S. lifts its embargo on arms trade in Vietnam.
  • May 25{{spaced endash}}An audit by the State Department Inspector General finds that Hillary Clinton violated directives from the department in her use of a private email server for government business during her time as Secretary of State. The Inspector General says that Clinton did not request approval to use the private server, and that such a request would have been denied because of security risks.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/apnewsbreak-state-dept-audit-faults-clinton-emails-39365621 |work=ABC News |title=Clinton Email Use Broke Federal Rules: Inspector's Report |date=May 26, 2016 |access-date=May 26, 2016}}
  • May 27
  • President Obama becomes the first U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, Japan, where the United States dropped an atomic bomb in 1945.
  • A P-47 Thunderbolt crashes in the Hudson River, killing the pilot.
  • May 28
  • Harambe was shot and killed at the Cincinnati Zoo.
  • May 29{{spaced endash}}24-year-old rookie Alexander Rossi wins the 100th Indianapolis 500 mile race in front of a record crowd of 350,000. His car runs out of fuel coming to the finish line.
  • May 30{{spaced endash}}Former Stanford University student Brock Turner is sentenced to six months in prison for raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster. The short sentence, as well as statements by Turner's parents in the following weeks, draw significant controversy.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/07/us/outrage-in-stanford-rape-case-over-dueling-statements-of-victim-and-attackers-father.html |work=The New York Times |title=Light Sentence for Brock Turner in Stanford Rape Case Sparks Outrage |date=June 6, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • May 31{{spaced endash}}Major flooding occurs in Texas and Oklahoma.{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/forecast/regional/news/plains-rain-flood-threat-wettest-may-ranking |title=Texas and Oklahoma Set All-Time Record Wet Month; Other May Rain Records Shattered in Arkansas, Nebraska |website=Weather.com |access-date=June 2, 2016}}

= June =

  • June 1 – A gunman opens fire at the University of California, Los Angeles, killing an associate professor and his wife in an apparent murder–suicide.{{cite web|url=http://bhcourier.com/two-dead-in-murder-suicide-shooting-at-ucla/ |publisher=Beverly Hills Courier |title=Man Who Killed UCLA Professor Had 'Kill List' |date=June 2, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • June 3 – American boxing legend and conscientious objector Muhammad Ali dies of septic shock at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona, at the age of 74.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/muhammad-ali-dies-greatest-boxer-dead-74/story?id=18391211 |work=ABC News |title=Muhammad Ali Dies: 'The Greatest' Boxer Dead at 74 |date=June 4, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • June 7 – The final major state primaries are held for the 2016 presidential election, with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump emerging as the presumptive nominees for the Democratic and Republican races, respectively.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/08/us/politics/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-primary.html |work=The New York Times |title=After Victory in California, Hillary Clinton Turns Toward Donald Trump |date=June 7, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • June 10
  • President Barack Obama formally endorses Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36494691 |work=BBC News |title=US election: Obama officially endorses Hillary Clinton |date=June 10, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • 22-year-old singer–songwriter Christina Grimmie is shot dead while signing autographs at a concert venue in Orlando, Florida.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/voice-alum-christina-grimmie-shot-orlando-concert-critical/story?id=39774979|title='The Voice' Alum Christina Grimmie Shot Dead After Being Shot at Orlando Concert, Says Rep|work=ABC News|date=June 11, 2016|access-date=June 11, 2016}}
  • June 12
  • 29-year-old Omar Mateen opens fire at Pulse, a gay dance club in Orlando, killing 49 people and leaving another 53 wounded. The attack surpassed the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings as the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history until the 2017 Las Vegas shooting. The shooting is investigated as a domestic terrorist attack.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36513658 |work=BBC News |title=Orlando gay nightclub shooting 'act of terror and hate' – Obama |date=June 12, 2016 |access-date=June 12, 2016}}
  • The 70th annual Tony Awards are presented, the cultural icon musical Hamilton wins 11 awards including Best Musical from a record 16 nominations. The performance of the cast of Hamilton was introduced by a filmed message from President and First Lady Obama and Chance the Rapper calling the show "one of the greatest pieces of art ever made."
  • In the NHL, the Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Western Conference champion San Jose Sharks in six games to win the Stanley Cup, the Penguins' fourth championship in franchise history.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/penguins-win-stanley-cup/c-280948494|title=Penguins win Stanley Cup, defeat Sharks in Game 6|website=NHL.com|language=en-US|access-date=February 6, 2020}}
  • June 13 – Lightning Rod, the world's first launched wooden roller coaster, opens at the Dollywood amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, United States.{{cite web | url=https://archive.knoxnews.com/entertainment/pop-culture/after-weeks-of-anticipation-lightning-rod-coaster-opens-at-dollywood-352b1185-0d1b-12f4-e053-0100007-382693581.html/ | title=After weeks of anticipation, Lightning Rod coaster opens at Dollywood }}
  • June 15–16 – In response to the attack in Orlando, Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) holds a filibuster for nearly fifteen hours, demanding new gun control laws from Congress. The filibuster ends when the Senate agrees to vote on two measures: one that would require universal background checks for gun sales, and another that would ban the sale of weapons to individuals on government watch lists of suspected terrorists.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/orlando-nightclub-massacre/filibuster-ends-after-gop-agrees-allow-gun-control-votes-senator-n593396 |work=NBC News |title=Filibuster Ends After GOP Agrees to Allow Gun Control Votes: Senator |date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=June 16, 2016}}
  • June 17 – Pixar Animation Studios' 17th feature film, Finding Dory, the sequel to 2003's Finding Nemo, is released in theaters.
  • June 18 – A 19-year-old man is arrested after attempting to pull a gun from a policeman's holster at a Donald Trump rally in Las Vegas. He later admits he was planning to use it to kill Trump.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/19/politics/trump-rally-gun-police-officer/|work=CNN|title=Man who attempted to grab gun at rally wanted 'to kill Trump'|date=June 20, 2016|access-date=June 20, 2016}}
  • June 19 – In the NBA, the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers defeat the Western Conference champion Golden State Warriors in seven games to win their first NBA Finals title in the Cavaliers' 45-year history. It is the first major professional sports championship won by a team based in Cleveland since 1964.{{citation needed|date=June 2016}}
  • June 22–23 – Members of the House Democratic Caucus, led by Representative John Lewis (D-Georgia) and Representative Katherine Clark (D-Massachusetts), declare their intention to remain on the floor of the House of Representatives until its Republican Speaker, Paul Ryan, allows votes on gun control legislation in the aftermath of the Orlando nightclub shooting. The sit-in is staged by about 60 legislators.{{cite web|url=http://www.c-span.org/video/?411500-1/us-house-democrats-stage-sitin-gun-violence |publisher=C-SPAN |title=US House Democrats Stage Sit-In Gun Violence |date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=June 26, 2016}}
  • June 24 – At least 23 people are killed after a huge flood hits areas of West Virginia.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/weather/west-virginia-floods-23-killed-thousands-without-power-n598346|title=West Virginia Floods: 23 Killed, Including Toddler, as Thousands Left Without Power|work=NBC News|date=June 25, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}}
  • June 26 – Ten people are hospitalized, five with stab wounds, after a group of counter-protesters attack a white supremacist gathering in Sacramento, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mass-casualty-stabbings-nazi-rally-sacramento-california/ |work=CBS News |title=Stabbings amid chaos at Calif. "Nazi mega-rally" |date=June 26, 2016 |access-date=June 27, 2016}}
  • June 27 – In a 5–3 decision, the Supreme Court strikes down a 2013 Texas law that imposed restrictions on abortion clinics.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36641063 |work=BBC News |title=Strict Texas abortion law struck down |date=June 27, 2016 |access-date=June 27, 2016}}
  • June 28 – Pat Summitt the all-time winningest women's basketball coach in NCAA history dies of dementia at the age of 64, in Summit's 38-year coaching career with Tennessee she won 1,098 games the most of any men's or women's coach.

= July =

  • July 1
  • The U.S. military officially lifts its ban on transgender people serving openly in the armed forces.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-36678540 |work=BBC News |title=US military lifts transgender ban |date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016}}
  • Attorney General Loretta Lynch announces that she will leave it up to the FBI to decide whether to bring charges against Hillary Clinton for her use of a private email server as Secretary of State.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/02/us/politics/loretta-lynch-hillary-clinton-email-server.html |work=The New York Times |title=Loretta Lynch to Accept F.B.I. Recommendations in Hillary Clinton Email Inquiry |date=January 7, 2016 |access-date=January 7, 2016}}
  • Vermont's GMO labeling law goes into effect—the first in the U.S.{{cite web|last=Gasparro |first=Annie |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/gmo-labeling-law-roils-food-companies-1458510332 |title=GMO Labeling Law Roils Food Companies |website=The Wall Street Journal|date=March 20, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}
  • July 3 – The Fort Bragg Game becomes the first professional sporting event to ever be held on an active military base,{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/braves-marlins-fort-bragg-mlb-july-3-promo-video/73gimrgy4v011kzqegk05hl8j |title=Marlins, Braves to play first professional game on active military base | MLB |publisher=Sporting News |date=March 8, 2016 |access-date=August 22, 2017}} and the first Major League Baseball regular season game ever held in the state of North Carolina when the Miami Marlins play the Atlanta Braves.{{cite web|url=http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/mlb/article87527732.html |title=Fort Bragg celebrates history in first Major League Baseball game in North Carolina | News & Observer |publisher=Newsobserver.com |date=July 3, 2016 |access-date=August 22, 2017}}
  • July 4 – Juno successfully enters the orbit of Jupiter.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-36710768 |work=BBC News |title=Juno probe enters into orbit around Jupiter |last=Amos |first=Jonathan |date=July 5, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • July 5
  • Gypsy Rose Blanchard pleads guilty of the murder of her mother Dee Dee Blanchard who had abused her for many years, forcing her to use a wheelchair and to pretend to be ill. She is sentenced to 10 years in prison.{{cite web|url=https://www.ky3.com/content/news/blanchard-gypsy-guilty-plea-385552271.html|title=Gypsy Blanchard pleads guilty for mother's murder|author1=Jehan Sheikh |author2= Gene Hartley|website=www.ky3.com|date=July 5, 2016 }}
  • Multiple cellphone video recordings capture the police shooting of Alton Sterling, a man selling CDs outside a convenience store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, sparking wide outrage. The Department of Justice opens a federal investigation.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/us/alton-sterling-baton-rouge-shooting.html |title=Alton Sterling Shooting in Baton Rouge Prompts Justice Dept. Investigation|newspaper=The New York Times |date=June 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • July 6
  • After FBI Director James Comey recommends against indicting Hillary Clinton, Attorney General Loretta Lynch announces that the federal investigation of Clinton will be closed with no charges.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/06/politics/loretta-lynch-hillary-clinton-emails-no-charges/ |work=CNN|title=AG Loretta Lynch declines to press charges against Clinton |date=June 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • A police officer shoots and kills 32-year-old Philando Castile during a routine traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, sparking further public outcry and protests regarding police brutality. Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton requests an investigation by the Justice Department.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/07/minn-cop-fatally-shoots-man-during-traffic-stop-aftermath-broadcast-on-facebook/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Minn. governor says race played role in fatal police shooting during traffic stop |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • July 7 – During a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas, a sniper later identified as Micah Xavier Johnson opens fire, killing five Dallas police officers and injuring another eleven people in the deadliest incident for U.S. law enforcement since September 11, 2001. Johnson is later found to have targeted white people (specifically white police officers) and to have been interested in several black nationalist groups. He is killed by a C-4 bomb delivered by a robot, the first use of lethal force by a robot by an American police department.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Protests-in-Dallas-Over-Alton-Sterling-Death-385784431.html |publisher=NBC DFW |title=Sniper Ambush Kills 5 Police Officers, Injures 7 in Dallas Following Peaceful Protest |date=July 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/jul/08/police-bomb-robot-explosive-killed-suspect-dallas |work=The Guardian |title=Use of police robot to kill Dallas shooting suspect believed to be first in US history |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/09/us/suspect-in-dallas-attack-had-interest-in-black-power-groups.html |work=The New York Times |title=Suspect in Dallas Attacks Had Interest in Black Power Groups |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • July 8 – Despite the conclusions of the FBI and attorney general, the State Department reopens its investigation into Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36742095 |work=BBC News |title=Hillary Clinton emails: US State Department restarts probe |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}
  • July 9 – The government of the Bahamas releases a rare advisory to Bahamian citizens traveling to the United States to be non-confrontational and cooperative with police after recent racial tensions in the country.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/07/09/the-bahamas-travel-advisory-for-the-u-s-use-extreme-caution-around-the-police/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=The Bahamas' new U.S. travel advisory: Use 'extreme caution' around police |date=September 7, 2016 |access-date=July 7, 2016}}
  • July 16 – Donald Trump announces Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate for the Republican ticket in the 2016 presidential election.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-36817465 |work=BBC News |title=US election: Donald Trump unveils running mate Mike Pence |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=July 17, 2016}}
  • July 17 – Three police officers are shot dead and three others are injured in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The shooter has been killed and an investigation is underway.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/17/us/baton-route-police-shooting/ |work=CNN|title=Baton Rouge police shooting: 3 killed, hunt on for shooters |date=July 17, 2016 |access-date=July 17, 2016}}
  • July 18–21 – The Republican National convention is held in Cleveland, Ohio with Donald Trump accepting the nomination.
  • July 22 – Hillary Clinton announces Virginia United States Senator Tim Kaine as her running mate for the Democrat ticket in the 2016 presidential election.
  • July 25–28 – The Democratic National Convention is held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with Hillary Clinton accepting the nomination. She becomes the first woman to accept the nomination of a major party for president.
  • July 30
  • All 16 occupants of a hot air balloon are killed – the deadliest incident of its kind in U.S. history – after hitting power lines and crashing near Austin, Texas.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-36933150 |work=BBC News |title=Texas hot air balloon crash: No survivors among 16 on board |date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}
  • Skydiver Luke Aikins sets a new world record for the highest altitude jump without a parachute, falling 25,000 ft into a safety net.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/07/30/488083554/luke-aikins-becomes-first-person-to-jump-from-a-plane-without-a-parachute |publisher=NPR |title=Skydiver Luke Aikins Sets Record For Highest Jump Without Parachute |date=July 30, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}
  • July 31
  • The 2016 Maryland flood in Ellicott City, Maryland, caused significant damage to the historic downtown area of the municipality{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/ellicott-city/bs-md-ellicott-city-flood-20160731-story.html |title=2 dead, emergency declared after historic Ellicott City ravaged by flash flood |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=July 28, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://weather.com/news/weather/news/ellicott-city-maryland-flooding-saturday |title=2 Maryland Flood Victims Identified; 'Total Devastation' in Ellicott City |website=Weather.com |access-date=August 2, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/07/31/floods-leave-ellicott-city-md-severely-damaged/87882130/ |title=Flash flood kills 2, devastates Maryland city's historic downtown |website=USA Today |date=January 8, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}
  • Sharknado: The 4th Awakens airs for the first time on Syfy.[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/sharknado-3-ending-tara-reid-810582 "'Sharknado 4' Greenlighted: Fans to Vote on Tara Reid's Fate"] from The Hollywood Reporter (July 22, 2015)

= August =

  • August 2 – A charter bus crashes on Highway 99 in Merced County, California, killing four people.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/dead-california-bus-crash-ugly-images-survivors-41087307|title=4 Dead Identified as Cause of California Bus Crash Probed|work=ABC News|date=August 3, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2016}}
  • August 4 – A wildfire occurs{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/wildfires-burn-in-7-western-states-prompt-evacuations/|title=Wildfires Burn In 7 Western States, Prompt Evacuations|date=August 2, 2016|work=Fox News|access-date=September 26, 2016}} in California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.{{cite web|url=http://www.columbian.com/news/2016/aug/01/fires-burn-in-7-western-states/|title=Fires burn in 7 Western states|date=August 1, 2016|work=columbian.com|access-date=September 26, 2016}}
  • August 5 – Suicide Squad, directed by David Ayer, is released as the third film in the DC Extended Universe.
  • August 5–21 – The United States compete at the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and win 46 gold, 37 silver, and 38 bronze medals.{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/sports/rio-2016-olympics/usa-continues-dominance-great-britain-overtakes-china-at-number-two-in-best-showing-in-over-a-century-2990003/|title=USA continues dominance; Great Britain overtakes China at number two in best showing in over a century|publisher=The Indian Express|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016}}
  • August 7 – Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of Kansas state representative Scott Schwab, is killed while riding Verrückt—the world's tallest water slide—at the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article94254507.html|title=Son of Kansas lawmaker dies on Verrückt slide at Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kan.|website=kansascity.com|publisher=The Kansas City Star|date=August 7, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2016}}
  • August 8 – A power outage causes hundreds of Delta Air Lines flights to be delayed or cancelled.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/delta-system-outage-triggers-delays-worldwide-n625141|title=Delta Resumes Flights With Delays After Worldwide Outage|work=NBC News|date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2016/08/10/news/companies/delta-flight-cancellations/index.html|title=Delta still digging out on Day 3|first=Chris Isidore and Leezel|last=Tanglao|date=August 10, 2016|work=CNN|access-date=September 26, 2016}}
  • August 10 – Police in Dallas, Texas kill Tony Timpa, who had schizophrenia and depression, after he asked for help. The police laughed as he asked for help 30 times while they pinned his shoulders, knees, and neck to the ground.{{cite news|newspaper=Dallas News.com|date=July 31, 2019|access-date=August 3, 2019|title='You're gonna kill me!': Dallas police body cam footage reveals the final minutes of Tony Timpa's life|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/news/investigations/2019/07/30/gonna-kill-dallas-police-body-cam-footage-reveals-final-minutes-tony-timpas-life|author1=Cary Asinwall|author2=Dave Boucher}}
  • August 12–19 – The 2016 Louisiana floods submerge over 146,000 homes across south Louisiana, killing 13 people. The Red Cross characterized the floods as the worst natural disaster in the U.S. since Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and President Obama visited the Baton Rouge area to survey the damage.
  • August 16 – The Blue Cut Fire occurs in California, displacing more than 82,000 residents, burning over 37,000 acres (150 km2) and threatening at least 34,500 structures.
  • August 17–21 – The 74th World Science Fiction Convention is held at the Bartle Hall Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
  • August 20 – The U.S. Air Force deploys the B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers in Guam to conduct exercises.
  • August 26 – Barack Obama expands the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, making it the world's largest marine protected area in the United States. Barack Obama surpasses Theodore Roosevelt as the most water and land protected by a U.S. president.
  • August 31 – The US conducts its first commercial flight to Cuba in 50 years

= September =

  • September 6 – The Federal Bureau of Investigation arrests Israeli rabbi Aharon Goldberg and divorce mediator Shimen Liebowitz, two planners of a contract killing on an estranged Jewish man, at a hotel in Central Valley, New York.Gajanan, Mahita (September 7, 2016). [https://time.com/4483189/orthodox-jewish-men-arrested-kidnap-murder-plot/ "Rabbi and Orthodox Jewish Man Plotted to Kidnap and Murder Husband to Get Divorce for his Wife, Officials Say"], Time
  • September 10 – John Hinckley Jr., the man who tried to assassinate US President Ronald Reagan in 1981, is released from a psychiatric hospital after 35 years.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37328612 |title=John Hinckley Jr, Reagan's would-be assassin, released after 35 years |work=BBC News |date=September 10, 2016 |access-date=September 10, 2016}}
  • September 11
  • Hillary Clinton becomes overheated and faints at a 9/11 memorial service in New York City, and is later revealed to have been diagnosed with pneumonia in the days prior.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37332106 |work=BBC News |title=Hillary Clinton diagnosed with pneumonia |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=September 12, 2016}}
  • Savvy Shields, Miss Arkansas 2016, wins the 90th Miss America pageant.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2016/09/11/miss-america-2017-miss-arkansas-savvy-shields/90249172/ |work=USA Today |title=Miss America 2017 is: Miss Arkansas Savvy Shields |first=Maeve |last=McDermott |date=September 13, 2016 |access-date=September 19, 2016}}
  • September 17
  • A pipe bomb explodes near a U.S. Marine Corps charity 5K run in Seaside Park, New Jersey.{{cite news|last1=Perez|first1=Evan|last2=Procupecz|first2=Simon|last3=Newsome|first3=John|title=Blast near Marine Corps race in New Jersey probed as possible terror act|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/17/us/nj-explosive-trash-can/|access-date=September 18, 2016|work=CNN|date=September 18, 2016}} This is followed by an explosion in New York City that injures 29.{{cite web |first1=Melanie |last1=Eversley |first2=Kevin |last2=McCoy |title=Explosion in N.Y.'s Chelsea neighborhood injures 29 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/09/17/explosion-new-york-chelsea-neighborhood/90605526/ |newspaper=USA Today |date=September 17, 2016 |access-date=September 18, 2016}}
  • A man dressed in a private security company uniform stabs and wounds nine people in a St. Cloud, Minnesota mall before being shot and killed by an off-duty police officer.{{cite web |url=http://www.sctimes.com/story/news/local/2016/09/17/reports-several-hurt-crossroads-center-incident/90607870/ |title=Officer, suspect ID'd in Crossroads stabbings |date=September 18, 2016 |work=St. Cloud Times |access-date=September 19, 2016}}
  • September 18
  • Following explosions in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Manhattan, New York, on the previous day, another explosive device was discovered at a transit station in Elizabeth. The device was accidentally detonated in the early hours of September 19 when operated on by a bomb squad robot.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/nyc-explosion-fbi-cops-investigate-vehicle-interest-n-y-new-n650306|title=Device Explodes in New Jersey, 5 People Questioned in New York Bombing Investigation|work=NBC News|date=September 19, 2016|access-date=September 19, 2016|first1=Miguel|last1=Almaguer|first2=Alex|last2=Johnson|first3=Tom|last3=Winter|first4=Richard|last4=Esposito|first5=Jonathan|last5=Dienst}}
  • The 68th Primetime Emmy Awards are held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California,{{cite web |title=68th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards - Arrivals |url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/ehlm45egehj/68th-annual-primetime-em-5/ |website=Forbes |access-date=5 February 2022 |language=en}} with Game of Thrones winning the best drama and Veep winning the best comedy.{{cite web |title=Emmys 2016: Game of Thrones breaks Frasier's record and wins best drama again |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2016/sep/18/game-of-thrones-emmy-awards-2016-breaks-record-best-drama |website=The Guardian |access-date=5 February 2022 |language=en |date=19 September 2016}}
  • September 19 – Ahmad Khan Rahami is identified as a suspect for the bombings in New York and New Jersey the previous two days. He is captured in a shootout.{{cite web | url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/19/us/new-york-explosion-investigation/index.html?sr=twCNN091916new-york-explosion-investigation0944AMVODtop | title=NY, NJ bombings: Suspect in custody after shootout with police, sources say | work=CNN | date=September 19, 2016 | access-date=September 19, 2016}}
  • September 21 – A state of emergency is declared in Charlotte, North Carolina, after protests over the police killings of three black men in a single week.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37436676 |title=Charlotte shooting: State of emergency amid protests |work=BBC News | date=September 22, 2016 | access-date=September 22, 2016}}
  • September 23 – A gunman opens fire at a mall in Burlington, Washington, killing 5 people. The shooter, Arcan Cetin, is arrested the next day.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/09/23/us/washington-mall-shooting/index.html |work=CNN|title=Washington mall shooting: Manhunt underway after gunman kills 5 |date=September 24, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2016}}
  • September 24 – The National Museum of African-American History and Culture, the biggest museum towards black history, opens in Washington D.C.
  • September 26 – Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton take part in their first live televised debate, with an estimated audience of up to 100 million viewers.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-us-2016-37468188 |title=US election: Sparks fly in Clinton-Trump duel |work=BBC News |date=September 27, 2016|access-date=September 27, 2016}}
  • September 28 – Congress votes to override President Obama's veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, which would effectively allow the families of victims of the September 11 attacks to sue the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their part in the attacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/29/us/politics/senate-votes-to-override-obama-veto-on-9-11-victims-bill.html |work=The New York Times |title=Congress Votes to Override Obama Veto on 9/11 Victims Bill |date=September 28, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2016}}
  • September 29 – A commuter train crashes in Hoboken, New Jersey, killing one person and injuring 114 others.{{cite web|url=http://www.northjersey.com/news/high-speed-into-chaos-seeking-answers-after-deadly-nj-transit-train-wreck-1.1668790 |publisher=The Record |title=High speed into chaos: Seeking answers after deadly NJ transit train crash |date=September 29, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2016}}

= October =

File:Level3 Outage Map (US) - 21 October 2016.png]]

  • October 1
  • The New York Times publishes parts of Donald Trump's 1995 tax records, which show that he suffered a $916 million loss during that year, which would have given him the ability to avoid paying income taxes for up to 18 years. This occurs while Trump is under intense scrutiny by Hillary Clinton and other political opponents to release his current tax records as is tradition in modern presidential elections.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/02/us/politics/donald-trump-taxes.html |work=The New York Times |title=Donald Trump Tax Records Show He Could Have Avoided Taxes for Nearly Two Decades, The Times Found |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=October 3, 2016}}
  • The Alabama Court of the Judiciary formally suspends Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore until the end of his term for directing probate judges to enforce the state's ban on same-sex marriage, which had been ruled unconstitutional in federal court.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37528317 |work=BBC News |title=Roy Moore: Alabama top judge ousted over gay marriage stand |date=October 1, 2016 |access-date=October 1, 2016}}
  • October 4 – Tim Kaine and Mike Pence participate in the vice presidential debate at Longwood University.
  • October 6 – Hurricane Matthew strengthens to a Category Four storm as it approaches Florida.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-37571685|title=Hurricane Matthew: Florida warned of 'direct hit'|publisher=BBC|date=October 6, 2016|access-date=October 6, 2016}}
  • October 7
  • The Obama administration accuses the government of Russia of hacking the computer network of the Democratic National Committee.{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/07/politics/us-blames-russia-for-targeting-election-systems/index.html |work=CNN|title=US blames Russia for targeting election systems |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}
  • The Washington Post releases a 2005 videotape of Donald Trump making lewd comments to Access Hollywood host Billy Bush about a married woman and commenting on how he can grab women "by the pussy" without repercussions because he is "a star". The comments are met with reactions of disgust and disbelief from the media and mainstream Republicans, as well as numerous Republicans rescinding their endorsements of his campaign. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan disinvites Trump from a Wisconsin campaign event in response. Trump issues an apology video online shortly after.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-recorded-having-extremely-lewd-conversation-about-women-in-2005/2016/10/07/3b9ce776-8cb4-11e6-bf8a-3d26847eeed4_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Trump recorded having extremely lewd conversation about women in 2005 |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-live-updates-trailguide-paul-ryan-disinvites-trump-to-campaign-1475889847-htmlstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=Speaker Paul Ryan disinvites Trump to his campaign event, says he is 'sickened' by tape |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/donald-trump-access-hollywood-1201882204/ |work=Variety |title=Donald Trump Issues Apology for Remarks in 'Access Hollywood' Video |date=October 7, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/republicans-who-dumped-trump-since-the-trump-tape-w444051 |work=Rolling Stone |title=Republicans Who Dumped Trump Since the 'Trump Tape' |date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 12, 2016}}
  • October 9 – Martha Raddatz and Anderson Cooper host the second presidential debate at Washington University in St. Louis.
  • October 10 – Samsung announces an official discontinuation of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphone after reports of the phone overheating and combusting, posing a severe health risk.{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/10/samsung-stops-galaxy-note-7-sales-owners-should-power-down/ |publisher=Engadget |title=Samsung stops Galaxy Note 7 sales, owners should 'power down' |date=October 10, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016}}
  • October 11 – President Obama presents details of a human mission to the planet Mars.{{cite news |last=Obama |first=Barack |author-link=Barack Obama |title=Barack Obama: America will take the giant leap to Mars |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/11/opinions/america-will-take-giant-leap-to-mars-barack-obama/index.html |date=October 11, 2016 |work=CNN |access-date=October 11, 2016 }}{{cite news |last=Victor |first=Daniel |title=Obama Gives New Details About Sending People to Mars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/12/science/president-obama-nasa-mars.html |date=October 11, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=October 11, 2016 }}
  • October 15 – A firebomb is set off inside the Republican Party headquarters building in Orange County, North Carolina. No injuries are reported and a suspect has not been found.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/10/16/498180111/after-attack-on-n-c-gop-office-politicians-decry-attack-on-our-democracy |publisher=NPR |title=After Attack On N.C. GOP Office, Politicians Decry 'Attack On Our Democracy' |date=October 16, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016}}
  • October 19 – Chris Wallace hosts the final presidential debate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
  • October 21 – A currently unknown attacker launches multiple distributed denial-of-service (DDos) attacks on networks operated by DNS provider Dyn, making numerous sites difficult or impossible to access for a period of time, including Twitter, Reddit, Netflix, Spotify, The New York Times, BBC News, and PayPal. The Department of Homeland Security opens an investigation.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37728015 |work=BBC News |title=Massive web attacks briefly knock out top sites |date=October 21, 2016 |access-date=October 21, 2016}}
  • October 27 – Seven defendants, including Ammon and Ryan Bundy, are acquitted of all federal charges by a federal jury in relation to their occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in January.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37795012 |work=BBC News |title=Oregon stand-off: Wildlife refuge occupiers in shock acquittal |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=November 22, 2016}}
  • October 28
  • FBI Director James Comey informs Congress that the bureau has chosen to reopen its investigation into Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server after discovering some emails that, while not from Clinton herself or withheld during the investigation, may be "pertinent" to the investigation. The emails were discovered on a device belonging to Anthony Weiner during an investigation into one of his sexting scandals.{{cite web |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |last2=Rappeport |first2=Alan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/29/us/politics/fbi-hillary-clinton-email.html |work=The New York Times |title=New Emails in Clinton Case Came From Devices Once Used by Anthony Weiner |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2016}}
  • 36-year-old Ryan Collins is sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to the 2014 hacking and distributing of numerous celebrities' nude photos.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37796986 |work=BBC News |title=Celebgate hack: Collins sentenced over nude photos theft |date=October 28, 2016 |access-date=October 28, 2016}}

= November =

  • November 2 – Major League Baseball: In Game 7 of the World Series, the Chicago Cubs defeat the Cleveland Indians 8–7 in 10 innings, winning the Series 4–3 and claiming their first MLB title since 1908.{{cite news|title=Cubs End 108-Year Wait for World Series Title, After a Little More Torment|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/03/sports/baseball/chicago-cubs-beat-cleveland-indians-world-series-game-7.html|via=nytimes.com|first=Billy|last=Witz|work=The New York Times|date=November 3, 2016|access-date=November 4, 2016}}
  • November 4 – Doctor Strange, directed by Scott Derrickson, is released by Marvel Studios as the 14th film of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
  • November 6 – In a second letter to Congress, FBI Director James Comey announces that the newest investigation of emails related to Hillary Clinton's use of a private server had not changed the conclusion the FBI reached in July.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/fbi-director-comey-says-agency-wont-recommend-charges-over-clinton-email/2016/11/06/f6276b18-a45e-11e6-ba59-a7d93165c6d4_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=For FBI, email investigation yields little but criticism |date=November 6, 2016 |access-date=November 6, 2016}}

File:ElectoralCollege2016.svg is elected president]]

  • November 8
  • The 2016 presidential election is held. Donald Trump is elected as the 45th president of the United States and Mike Pence is elected the 48th vice president, with Trump becoming the oldest man elected president at the age of 70 as well as the first president in history to take the office without any prior political or military experience. The win is considered one of the most shocking upsets in U.S. history, with most news outlets and experts considering a Trump victory unlikely. The result is also highly controversial due to Hillary Clinton's popular vote lead of nearly 3 million votes over Trump, who won via the Electoral College.{{cite news|last1=Pace|first1=Julie|last2=Furlow|first2=Robert|title=Trump claims astounding victory as America's 45th president|url=https://apnews.com/fb2e92a47f054019a2589ace78d20836/Trump-wins-White-House-in-astonishing-victory|work=Associated Press|date=November 9, 2016|access-date=November 10, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/president?action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=span-abc-region®ion=span-abc-region&WT.nav=span-abc-region |work=The New York Times |title=Presidential Election Results: Donald J. Trump Wins |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/story/2016/11/election-results-2016-clinton-trump-231070 |work=Politico |title=Trump pulls off biggest upset in U.S. history |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • Four states – California, Nevada, Maine and Massachusetts – vote to legalize the use, sale, and consumption of recreational marijuana.{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/marijuana-states-legalized-weed-2016-11 |work=Business Insider |title=4 states just voted to make marijuana completely legal—here's what we know |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=November 13, 2016}}
  • Faith Spotted Eagle becomes the first Native American to receive an electoral vote.
  • The U.S. senate elects the most diverse cast yet. Catherine Cortez Masto becomes the first Latina senator, Kamala Harris becomes the first Asian-American, and the second black woman into the senate, and Ilhan Omar becomes the first Somali-American lawmaker.
  • In the 2016 Senate and House elections, the Republican Party maintains its majority of seats in Congress.
  • November 9 – Anti-Trump protests are held in several cities across the nation over the next week after Trump's election win.
  • November 10 – John Kerry makes a trip to Antarctica, becoming the first Secretary of State to visit all seven continents.
  • November 18 – Donald Trump agrees to pay a $25 million settlement to two class action lawsuits and a New York state civil lawsuit regarding his now defunct unlicensed Trump University.{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/donald-trump-nearing-settlement-trump-university-fraud-case-article-1.2878780 |work=New York Daily News |title=Donald set to pay $25M in Trump University fraud case settlement |date=November 18, 2016 |access-date=November 20, 2016}}
  • November 20 – More than 300 people are injured, 26 seriously, after police use water cannons, tear gas, rubber bullets, and concussion grenades on a peaceful protest against the proposed construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/nov/21/dakota-access-pipeline-water-cannon-police-standing-rock-protest |work=The Guardian |title=Dakota Access pipeline: 300 protesters injured after police use water cannons |date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=November 22, 2016}}
  • November 21 – A school bus crashes in Chattanooga, Tennessee, killing at least six children and injuring another 22.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38060495 |work=BBC News |title=Tennessee Chattanooga bus crash leaves six children dead |date=November 21, 2016 |access-date=November 21, 2016}}
  • November 25
  • The state elections commission of Wisconsin agrees to a statewide recount of its ballots in the 2016 presidential election after requests by Green Party candidate Jill Stein and independent candidate Rocky De La Fuente.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/25/503349326/people-have-donated-millions-to-jill-steins-recount-campaign-is-it-worth-it |publisher=NPR |title=Wisconsin Agrees to Presidential Vote Recount At Third-Party Candidates' Requests |date=November 25, 2016 |access-date=November 26, 2016}}
  • After multiple hearings, Dylann Roof, the suspected perpetrator of the 2015 Charleston church shooting, is declared by federal judge Richard Gergel to be mentally competent enough to stand trial.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38108267 |work=BBC News |title=Charleston shootings: Dylann Roof 'fit' to stand trial |date=November 25, 2016 |access-date=November 26, 2016}}
  • November 28 – Eleven people are hospitalized with injuries after 18-year-old Abdul Razak Ali Artan attacks students on the campus of Ohio State University with his car and a butcher knife before being fatally shot by police. An investigation later shows that Artan was inspired by terrorist propaganda from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and radical Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki.{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/28/us/ohio-state-university-active-shooter/index.html |work=CNN|title=Ohio State University: Attacker killed, 11 hospitalized after campus attack |date=November 28, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/29/us/ohio-state-university-attack/ |work=CNN|title=Investigators believe Ohio State attacker was inspired by ISIS |date=November 29, 2016 |access-date=November 29, 2016}}

= December =

  • December 2
  • Donald Trump becomes the first US president or president-elect since 1979 to make direct contact with the president of Taiwan, upsetting Chinese diplomats and sparking concern over whether Trump will uphold the "One China policy" at the foundation of China-U.S. relations.{{cite news|last1=Crowley|first1=Michael|title=Bull in a China shop: Trump risks diplomatic blowup in Asia|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/trumps-call-with-taiwan-president-risks-diplomatic-dispute-232146|access-date=December 3, 2016|work=Politico|date=December 2, 2016}}
  • A fire at an Oakland, California warehouse, which was hosting a music event, kills at least 36 people, the deadliest fire in Oakland history.{{cite news|author1=Kimberly Veklerov|author2=Hamed Aleaziz|title=As death toll rises to 36 in Oakland fire, hazard halts search|url=http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Death-toll-from-Oakland-warehouse-fire-rises-to-36-10691827.php|access-date=December 5, 2016|work=SFGate|date=December 5, 2016}}
  • December 4
  • The United States Army Corps of Engineers under the Obama administration denies the easement of the Dakota Access Pipeline through Lake Oahe in the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and will look for alternative routes.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/04/us/federal-officials-to-explore-different-route-for-dakota-pipeline.html |work=The New York Times |title=Army Blocks Drilling of Dakota Access Oil Pipeline |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=December 5, 2016}}
  • A man from Salisbury, North Carolina briefly opens fire with an AR-15 style rifle inside Comet Ping Pong, a pizzeria in Washington, D.C., wishing to "self-investigate" the establishment implicated in a false conspiracy theory that claims the restaurant is used by members of the Democratic Party for a child-sex ring. No injuries are reported, and the man is arrested without incident and immediately charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/12/04/d-c-police-respond-to-report-of-a-man-with-a-gun-at-comet-ping-pong-restaurant/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=N.C. man told police he went to D.C. pizzeria with gun to investigate conspiracy theory |date=December 4, 2016 |access-date=January 10, 2017}}
  • December 5 – The murder trial of white police officer Michael Slager in the 2015 shooting death of Walter Scott in South Carolina ends in a mistrial after a hung jury cannot reach a verdict, resulting in no charges on Slager.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-south-carolina-shooting-slager-idUSKBN13U263 |publisher=Reuters |title=Mistrial declared in murder case of ex-South Carolina policeman |date=December 5, 2016 |access-date=December 5, 2016}}
  • December 8 – John Glenn, former astronaut, Colonel, and Senator, and the first American to orbit the Earth, dies of presently undisclosed conditions at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of 95.{{cite web |url=http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/john-glenn/john-glenn.html |publisher=The Columbus Dispatch |title=John Glenn, American hero, aviation icon and former U.S. Senator, dies at 95 |date=December 8, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016 |archive-date=December 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208204122/http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2016/12/john-glenn/john-glenn.html |url-status=dead }}
  • December 9
  • The CIA tells U.S. legislators that the United States Intelligence Community has "high confidence" that Russia conducted operations during the 2016 presidential election to assist Donald Trump in winning the presidency. Intelligence agencies have concluded that the Kremlin had orchestrated the Democratic National Committee cyber attacks. Both Democrats and Republicans in Congress call for a full-scale investigation. Trump writes off the report as "ridiculous".{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/obama-orders-review-of-russian-hacking-during-presidential-campaign/2016/12/09/31d6b300-be2a-11e6-94ac-3d324840106c_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Secret CIA assessment says Russia was trying to help Trump win White House |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/09/us/obama-russia-election-hack.html |work=The New York Times |title=Russian Hackers Acted to Aid Trump in Election, U.S. Says |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38282533 |work=BBC News |title=Donald Trump rejects CIA Russia hacking report |date=December 11, 2016 |access-date=December 12, 2016}}
  • The Supreme Court of Michigan rejects Jill Stein's request for a recount of votes in the state, upholding Donald Trump's victory in the state.{{cite web|url=http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2016/12/09/trump-justices-recount/95192294/ |publisher=Detroit News |title=Michigan Supreme Court denies Stein's recount appeal |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • December 12
  • After the recount is completed in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania rejects Jill Stein's request, both states reaffirm Donald Trump as winner of the states in the 2016 election.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/12/us/pennsylvania-and-wisconsin-end-election-recount-efforts.html |work=The New York Times |title=Pennsylvania and Wisconsin End Election Recount Efforts |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • Block Island Wind Farm becomes the first commercial offshore wind farm in the United States.{{cite web|url=http://dwwind.com/press/americas-first-offshore-wind-farm-powers/ |publisher=Deepwater Wind |title=Block Island Wind Farm begins commercial operations |date=December 12, 2016 |access-date=December 17, 2016}}
  • December 14
  • Yahoo discloses that a data breach in 2013 compromised more than 1 billion user accounts' information, such as names, passwords, and unencrypted messages, making it the largest data breach in the history of the Internet. Yahoo already disclosed a smaller 2014 data breach in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/technology/yahoo-hack.html |work=The New York Times |title=Yahoo Says 1 Billion User Accounts Were Hacked |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • The Federal Reserve raises its benchmark interest rate by 0.25%, only the second increase in a decade, citing strong economic growth and rising employment, though Chairwoman Janet Yellen says the outlook for the US economy going forward is "uncertain".{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-38323037 |work=BBC News |title=US raises key interest rate by 0.25% on strengthening economy |date=December 14, 2016 |access-date=December 14, 2016}}
  • December 16 – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is released in theaters.
  • December 19
  • The Electoral College elects Donald Trump as the next president of the United States, with 304 electoral votes cast for Trump versus 227 for Hillary Clinton.{{cite news|last1=Schmidt|first1=Kiersten|last2=Andrews|first2=Wilson|title=A Historic Number of Electors Defected, and Most Were Supposed to Vote for Clinton|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/19/us/elections/electoral-college-results.html|access-date=December 20, 2016|work=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=December 19, 2016}}
  • North Carolina Governor-elect Roy Cooper announces that the controversial HB2 law passed in March limiting the rights of the LGBT community will be repealed.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38369702 |work=BBC News |title=HB2 law: North Carolina to repeal 'bathroom bill' |date=December 19, 2016 |access-date=December 21, 2016}}
  • December 20 – President Obama, in a joint agreement with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, permanently bans oil and gas drilling in most of the Arctic and Atlantic Ocean.{{cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/12/20/united-states-canada-joint-arctic-leaders-statement |title=United States-Canada Joint Arctic Leaders' Statement |date=December 20, 2016 |via=National Archives |work=whitehouse.gov |access-date=December 21, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38387525 |work=BBC News |title=Obama bans oil drilling 'permanently' in millions of acres of ocean |date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=December 21, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/20/barack-obama-bans-oil-gas-drilling-arctic-atlantic |work=The Guardian |title=Barack Obama bans oil and gas drilling in most of Arctic and Atlantic oceans |date=December 21, 2016 |access-date=December 21, 2016}}
  • December 23 – In a departure from its previous policy, the Obama administration chooses to not use its veto power and instead abstains from voting on United Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, allowing its passage. The resolution demands an end to the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President-elect Donald Trump imply that the decision will result in a reassessment of relations with the United Nations.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/choosing-not-to-veto-obama-lets-anti-settlement-resolution-pass-at-un-security-council/ |work=Times of Israel |title=Choosing not to veto, Obama lets anti-settlement resolution pass at UN Security Council |date=December 23, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/24/israel-reassess-ties-united-nations-settlement-benjamin-netanyahu |work=The Guardian |title=Israel to 'reassess' ties with UN, says Benjamin Netanyahu |date=December 24, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}
  • December 24 – Donald Trump announces that he will be dissolving his foundation to avoid potential conflicts of interest in his presidency. New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman asserts that Trump will not be able to do so until an ongoing investigation into the foundation has completed.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/blogs/donald-trump-administration/2016/12/trump-to-dissolve-his-foundation-232961 |work=Politico |title=Trump pulling the plug on his foundation |date=December 24, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/311773-ny-ag-trump-cannot-legally-dissolve-foundation-until/ |work=The Hill |title=NY AG: Trump can't dissolve foundation until investigation over |date=December 24, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}
  • December 27 – Carrie Fisher, known for playing the iconic character Princess Leia in the Star Wars film series, as well as being a noted script doctor and mental health advocate, dies at the age of 60 after having a cardiac arrest on a transatlantic flight four days earlier. Her mother, actress Debbie Reynolds dies the next day, after having a stroke while preparing for Fisher's funeral.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-38446753 |work=BBC News |title=Carrie Fisher, Star Wars actress, dies aged 60 |date=December 27, 2016 |access-date=December 27, 2016}}
  • December 29 – The Obama administration imposes sanctions against the leaders of the Russian intelligence agency GRU and expels 35 Russian operatives from the United States in response to Russia's interference in the 2016 presidential election. President-elect Donald Trump urges the country "move on" from the issue, but nonetheless announces that he will be meeting with the United States Intelligence Community for an update on the situation.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/29/us/politics/russia-election-hacking-sanctions.html |work=The New York Times |title=Obama Strikes Back at Russia for Election Hacking |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/trump-russian-cyberattacks-intelligence-233045 |work=Politico |title=Trump: It's time 'to move on' from claims of Russian interference in election |date=December 29, 2016 |access-date=December 29, 2016}}
  • December 31 – Federal judge Reed O'Connor in Texas blocks the enforcement of a policy seeking to extend Affordable Care Act anti-discrimination protections for transgender health and abortion-related services.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/usa-obamacare-idUSL1N1ER00U |publisher=Reuters |title=U.S. judge blocks transgender, abortion-related Obamacare protections |date=December 31, 2016 |access-date=January 10, 2017}}
  • December 31 – United States troops withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving behind 8,400 troops stationed at 4 garrisons (Kabul, Kandahar, Bagram, and Jalalabad).

Deaths

=January=

File:Dale Bumpers.jpg]]

File:Vilmos Zsigmond KVIFF.jpg]]

File:Pat Harrington, Jr., Stump the stars 1962.JPG]]

File:OtisClay LBBF1997 2.jpg]]

File:David-Bowie Chicago 2002-08-08 photoby Adam-Bielawski-cropped.jpg]]

File:CaracristiPortrait.jpg]]

File:Monte Irvin number retirement (cropped).jpg]]

File:Lawrence Phillips mugshot.jpg]]

File:Jim Simpson 1969.jpg]]

File:Dan Haggerty at F.I.S.T premier 1978 cropped.jpg]]

File:Glenn Frey.jpg]]

File:Marvin Minsky at OLPCb.jpg]]

File:Abe Vigoda 1975.jpg]]

File:Paul Kantner Jefferson Starship 1975.JPG]]

=February=

File:Maurice White 1982.jpg]]

File:Edgar Mitchell cropped.jpg]]

File:Dave Mirra 2010-08-21 001.jpg]]

File:Antonin Scalia Official SCOTUS Portrait crop.jpg]]

File:George Gaynes 1964.jpg]]

File:HarperLee 2007Nov05.jpg]]

File:Sonny James.png]]

File:Williams-de.jpg]]

File:George Kennedy 1975.JPG]]

=March=

File:Aubrey McClendon headshot.png]]

File:Bud Collins at the 2009 US Open.jpg]]

File:Ray Tomlinson.jpg]]

File:Nancy Reagan.jpg]]

File:Shapley, Lloyd (1980).jpg]]

File:Hilary Putnam.jpg]]

File:FrankSinatraJrByPhilKonstantin.jpg]]

File:Larry Drake (2092478650).jpg]]

File:Tray Walker.JPG]]

File:Andrew Grove.jpg]]

File:Phife Dawg-mika.jpg]]

File:Ken Howard 2014.jpg]]

File:Joe Garagiola 1951.png]]

File:GarryShandlingApr2011.jpg]]

File:Patty Duke 1975.JPG]]

=April=

File:Amber Rayne 2010.jpg]]

File:Joseph Medicine Crow-High Bird - Aug 12 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.jpg]]

File:MerleHaggardJun09.jpg]]

File:Will Smith (American football).JPG]]

File:Balls Mahoney at Hardcore Roadtrip 2013.jpg]]

File:David Gest.png]]

File:DorisRobertsDec10.jpg]]

File:Laurer, Joanie (2007).jpg]]

File:Prince at Coachella (cropped).jpg]]

File:LonnieMackRisingSun.jpg]]

File:Billy Paul Concert Tunis Avril 2006.jpg]]

File:Tommy Kono.jpg]]

File:Harry Wu.jpg]]

File:Conrad Burns official portrait.jpg]]

=May=

File:Bob Bennett official portrait, 2009.jpg]]

File:Williamschallert.jpg]]

File:Mark Lane in Ann Arbor.png]]

File:Julius La Rosa 1955.JPG]]

File:Guy Clark at the 2009 Newport Folk Festival.jpg]]

File:STERNFFM.jpg]]

File:Morley Safer (cropped).jpg]]

File:Brandon Grove, Jr..jpg]]

File:HedyEpstein.png]]

File:Bryce Dejean-Jones in 2015.jpg]]

File:Don McNay - Profile.jpg]]

=June=

File:Muhammad Ali NYWTS.jpg]]

File:PhyllisCurtin.png]]

File:Kimbo Slice 1.jpg]]

File:Gordie Howe Chex card.jpg]]

File:Christina Grimmie 2014 crop.jpg]]

File:George Voinovich, official photo portrait, 2006.jpg]]

File:Janet-Waldo 2013-11-16 (cropped).jpg]]

File:Lois Duncan Steinmetz playing the accordion aboard the shantyboat Lazy Bones.jpg]]

File:Anton Yelchin 2011.jpg]]

File:Dr. Ralph Stanley in 2011.jpg]]

File:Alvin Toffler 02.jpg]]

File:Pat-Summitt-Walter-Reed-Center-06-24-08-2.jpg]]

=July=

File:Elie Wiesel (1987) by Erling Mandelmann - 2.jpg]]

File:Sen William L Armstrong.jpg]]

File:James Metzen.jpg]]

File:SR medium shot color.jpg]]

File:JeffreyMontgomery1.jpg]]

File:Betsy Bloomingdale.jpg]]

File:Garry Marshall 2013 cropped.jpg]]

File:Mark Takai official portrait.jpg]]

File:Marni Nixon 09.JPG]]

File:Cartoonist Jack Davis.jpg]]

File:Gloria de Haven.jpg]]

=August=

File:Steve LaTourette, Official Portrait, c112th Congress.jpg]]

File:Patrice Munsel 1962.JPG]]

File:Richard Fagan 20110614.jpg]]

File:HDBentley.jpg]]

File:Pete Fountain 1962.JPG]]

File:Glenn Yarbrough.png]]

File:Fyvush Finkel.jpg]]

File:Bh 070701.jpg]]

File:DAHenderson.jpg]]

File:Steven Hill Dan Briggs Mission Impossible.JPG]]

File:Marvin-Kaplan 2013-11-15.jpg]]

File:Gene Wilder 1970.JPG]]

=September=

File:Hugh O'Brian 1964.JPG]]

File:Phyllis Schlafly by Gage Skidmore 3 (cropped).jpg]]

File:Chris Stone portrait.jpg]]

File:Edward Albee.jpg]]

File:Seng 85thGA.jpeg]]

File:General Robert W. Cone.jpg]]

File:Bobby Breen.JPG]]

File:Victor Scheinman at MIT Museum.agr.jpg]]

File:Arnold Palmer (cropped).jpg]]

File:Jean Shepard.jpg]]

File:Gloria Naylor by David Shankbone.jpg]]

File:Agnes Nixon 2010 Daytime Emmy Awards 1.jpg]]

=October=

File:Lowell Thomas, Jr. 1975.jpg]]

File:Brooklyn DA Ken Thompson.jpg]]

File:Pittman RA.jpg]]

File:Clyde C. Holloway.jpg]]

File:Dave Bunnell 02.jpg]]

File:Tommy Bartlett (1967).png]]

File:Michael Massee 2014.jpg]]

File:Tom Hayden (cropped).jpg]]

File:Bobby Vee (1962).jpg]]

File:Professor Susan Lindquist ForMemRS.jpg]]

File:Don Marshall.jpg]]

=November=

File:WIKI KAY STARR 2.jpg]]

File:Janet Reno-us-Portrait.jpg]]

File:Robert Vaughn David McCallum Man from UNCLE 1966-2.jpg]]

File:Leon Russell Billboard.jpg]]

File:Gwen Ifill PBS Newshour cropped retouched.jpg]]

File:Mose Allison-Bonnie Raitt.jpg]]

File:Melvin Laird official photo.JPEG]]

File:Ruth Gruber April 2007.jpg]]

File:Cooly2.jpg]]

File:Ralph Branca 1953.jpg]]

File:Florence Henderson 2012.jpg]]

File:Ron Glass at 2005 Serenity Premiere.jpg]]

File:Grant Tinker at the 64th Annual Peabody Awards.jpg]]

=December=

File:Joe McKnight.JPG]]

File:Lt-lyle-j-bouck.jpg]]

File:Sammy Lee 1952.jpg]]

File:Mike Kelly of Alaska.jpg]]

File:John Glenn Low Res.jpg]]

File:Joseph Mascolo.JPG]]

File:Thomas Schelling.jpg]]

File:Alan Thicke 2010.jpg]]

File:Craig Sager (8065793435).jpg]]

File:Zsa Zsa Gabor - 1959.jpg]]

File:Vera Rubin.jpg]]

File:Carrie Fisher 2013-a straightened.jpg]]

File:Debbie Reynolds.jpg]]

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Timeline of United States history}}

{{Years in the United States}}

{{Year in North America|2016}}

Category:2010s in the United States

United States

United States

Category:Years of the 21st century in the United States