Calendar: What happened on May 28?

May 28th is marked by several significant historical events, personal milestones, and anniversaries. In 1961, the human rights organization Amnesty International was founded in London by lawyer Peter Benenson, becoming a global advocate for the release of political prisoners and the protection of human rights.

More recently, in 2021, the German government officially recognized the atrocities committed against the Herero and Nama peoples in present-day Namibia by the German colonial power as genocide. Berlin pledged 1.1 billion euros in support, though descendants of the victims are seeking direct payments.

On this date in 2025, the Swiss mountain village of Blatten was buried under massive amounts of scree and ice following the collapse of a nearby peak. The settlement had been evacuated prior to the disaster.

Notable birthdays for May 28th include German sailor Boris Herrmann, who in 2021 became the first German to complete the Vendée Globe, one of the world's toughest sailing races. Australian pop singer Kylie Minogue, known for hits like "Can't Get You Out Of My Head," also celebrates her birthday. American politician Marco Rubio, who has served as Secretary of State since 2025, shares this birth date.