Historical eventMay 282016

Harambe

Harambe was shot and killed after grabbing a three-year-old boy in his enclosure at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, drawing widespread criticism and inspiring internet memes.

10th anniversary in 2026

Everything on May 28Original source

In context

When
Saturday, May 28 201610 years ago
Category
Historical eventA dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Era
21st century · 2010s
Anniversary
10th in 2026
Recorded from
Wikipedia “On this day” feed

At a glance

Dates: From 2016.

What happened

Harambe was a western lowland gorilla who lived at the Cincinnati Zoo. On May 28, 2016, a three-year-old boy visiting the zoo climbed under a fence into an outdoor gorilla enclosure where he was grabbed and violently dragged and thrown by Harambe. Fearing for the boy's life, a zoo worker shot and killed Harambe. The incident was recorded on video and received broad international coverage and commentary, including controversy over the choice to use lethal force.

May 28 through the years

Other entries on the same calendar day, in order.

  1. 2002The Football Association
  2. 2003Peter Hollingworth
  3. 2004Iraqi Governing Council
  4. 2008Nepal
  5. 2010West Bengal
  6. 2010Jnaneswari Express train derailment
  7. 2011Malta
  8. 2012Arkankergen massacre
  9. 2013Gezi Park protests
  10. 2016Harambe
  11. 2017Formula One

Also in 2016

  • May 1111 May 2016 Baghdad bombingsOne hundred and ten people are killed in an ISIL bombing in Baghdad.
  • September 9North KoreaThe government of North Korea conducts its fifth and reportedly biggest nuclear test. World leaders condemn the act, with South Korea cal…
  • September 172016 New York and New Jersey bombingsTwo bombs explode in Seaside Park, New Jersey, and Manhattan. Thirty-one people are injured in the Manhattan bombing.
  • September 182016 Uri attackThe 2016 Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir, India by terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed results in the deaths of nineteen Indian Army soldier…
  • July 13Prime Minister of the United KingdomPrime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron resigns, and is succeeded by Theresa May.
  • January 3Nimr al-NimrIn response to the execution of Nimr al-Nimr, Iran ends its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.
  • September 3ChinaThe U.S. and China, together responsible for 40% of the world's carbon emissions, both formally ratify the Paris global climate agreement.
  • July 5Juno (spacecraft)The Juno space probe arrives at Jupiter and begins a 20-month survey of the planet.

Everything we record for 2016 →

Sources

Cite this page

“Harambe”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/event/harambe-2016-may-28, accessed October 27, 2026.

Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.

Questions about this entry

When did Harambe happen?

May 28 2016 — 10 years ago, on a Saturday.

Where does this text come from?

Wikipedia “On this day” feed. Summaries are short adaptations that link back to the source, not reprints.

How do I cite this page?

Use the ready-made citation near the sources at the bottom of the page, and follow the source link to cite the underlying record as well.

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