Today in history

May 16

1792
Denmark becomes the first country to outlaw the slave trade.

1918
The U.S. Congress passed the Sedition Act, legislation designed to protect America’s participation in World War I. Aimed at socialists, pacifists and other anti-war activists, the Sedition Act imposed harsh penalties on anyone found guilty of making false statements that interfered with the prosecution of the war; insulting or abusing the U.S. government, conscription, the flag, the Constitution or the military; agitating against the production of necessary war materials; or advocating, teaching or defending any of these acts.

1967
Nhat Chi Mai immolates herself in Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, to protest the war.
“I offer my body as a torch / to dissipate the dark / to waken love among men / to give peace to Vietnam.”

1988
US Supreme Court rules trash may be searched without a warrant.