16 February

February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 318 days remain until the end of the year.

We have some interesting facts & historic events all about February 16^th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about February 16^th in history!

Table of Contents

1. Global Celebrations
2. Historic Events
3. Famous Birthdays
4. Heartbreaking Deaths

Global Celebrations

• Innovation Day
• National Almond Day
• National Do a Grouch a Favor Day
• Tim Tam Day

Historic Events

What Happened On This Day – February 16

2005: The Kyoto Protocol goes into effect

The global warming pact was ratified by 191 countries to date – excluding the United States.

1987: The first trial against John Demjanjuk begins in Jerusalem

Demjanjuk was falsely accused of being a particularly brutal Nazi guard dubbed “Ivan the Terrible”; in a separate trial in 2011, he was convicted by a German criminal court as an accessory to the murder of 27,900 people.

1985: Hezbollah is founded

The Lebanese political party and militant group is classified as a terrorist organization by several western countries.

1959: Fidel Castro becomes Cuba’s Prime Minister

Castro’s rise to power came shortly after his “26th of July Movement” had overthrown dictator Fulgencio Batista in what became known as the Cuban Revolution.

1923: The burial chamber of Pharoh Tutankhamun is opened

Howard Carter’s discovery is one of archeology’s best known, especially due to the myth of the “Curse of Tutankhamun” that was sparked by the death of Lord Carnarvon who was one of the first to enter the chamber.

1865: A street vendor selling mummies in Egypt, 1865

1948: Mother hides her face in shame after putting her children up for sale, Chicago, 1948

1935: “Giraffe women” looking at a guard, posted at St. James’ Palace 16th century main gate, during their visit in London, 1935
Colorized

1918: At Walter Reed Hospital, a soldier who is missing a foot lights a cigarette for another soldier who is missing both arms, circa 1918. (colorized)

Famous Birthdays

Births On This Day, February 16

1979: Valentino Rossi, Italian motorcycle racer

1954: Iain Banks, Scottish author

1941: Kim Jong-il, North Korean politician, 2nd Supreme Leader of North Korea

1898: Katharine Cornell, American actress, producer

1831: Nikolai Leskov, Russian author, playwright, journalist

Heartbreaking Deaths

Deaths On This Day, February 16

2013: Tony Sheridan, English singer-songwriter, guitarist

2002: Walter Winterbottom, England football manager

1984: M. A. G. Osmany, Bangladeshi general

1957: Josef Hofmann, Polish/American pianist, composer

1932: Edgar Speyer, American/English financier, philanthropist