On this Day in History: March 16

A closer look at the key events on March 16 in history:

In 2014, Crimea votes to secede from Ukraine

In what most of the world has deemed an illegal referendum, 97% of voters backed Crimea joining the Russian Federation. Despite opposition from multiple countries, Russia annexed the region.

People react on Lenin Square after the end of a referendum in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, 16 March 2014. EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

In 1995, Mississippi ratifies the Thirteenth Amendment

The Thirteenth Amendment, which abolishes slavery, had already been added to the U.S. Constitution 130 years prior to Mississippi’s ratification. Even though they ratified it on March 16, 1995 it was not made official until 2013, when the state notified the U.S. Archivist.

The House Joint Resolution Proposing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, January 31, 1865; Enrolled Acts and Resolutions of Congress, 1789-1999; General Records of the United States Government; Record Group 11; National Archives.

In 1988, the Halabjah Massacre takes place

The poison gas attack occurred in the Kurdish city of Halabjah, killing 5,000 civilians. The war crime has been deemed one of the largest chemical weapons attacks in history. It was most likely executed on the orders of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.

Omer Khawar and his infant by Mehdi Jamshidi, March 16, 1988. Wikimedia Commons

In 1968, the My Lai Massacre takes place

In the midst of the Vietnam War, US soldiers were dispatched on a search-and-destroy mission in the hamlet of My Lai, which was considered a stronghold of the Viet Cong. Even though they did not find any armed Viet Cong, they still killed as many as 500 unarmed villagers, many women and children.