✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 47th day of the year

February 16

A look at February 16 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Margot Frank and Jayaatu Khan Tugh Temür, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

♒ZodiacAquarius ◈BirthstoneAmethyst ❀Birth flowerViolet
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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2013

    February 2013 Quetta bombing

    A bomb blast at a market in Hazara Town, Quetta, Pakistan kills more than 80 people and injures 190 others.

    Market bombing in Balochistan,
  2. 1984

    Iran

    Iran launches Operation Dawn 5, a major offensive during the Iran–Iraq War targeting the Basra–Baghdad highway, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.

    Country in West Asia
  3. 1983

    Ash Wednesday bushfires

    The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia kill 75.

    1983 brushfires in Australia
  4. 1959

    Fidel Castro

    Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba after dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown on January 1.

    Leader of Cuba from
  5. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: Altmark incident: The German tanker Altmark is boarded by sailors from the British destroyer HMS Cossack. A total of 299 British prisoners are freed.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1918

    Council of Lithuania

    The Council of Lithuania unanimously adopts the Act of Independence, declaring Lithuania an independent state.

    Governing body of newly-independent
  7. 1900

    Southern Cross Expedition

    The Southern Cross expedition led by Carsten Borchgrevink achieves a new Farthest South of 78° 50'S, making the first landing at the Great Ice Barrier.

    1898–1900 research expedition to
  8. 1899

    Iceland

    Iceland's first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, is founded.

    Island country in the
  9. 1862

    American Civil War

    American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee.

    1861–1865 conflict in the
  10. 1804

    First Barbary War

    First Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate USS Philadelphia.

    War between United States
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Famous birthday twins

Born on February 16

Margot Frank

b. 1926

German-Dutch holocaust victim

Jayaatu Khan Tugh Temür

b. 1304

Chinese emperor

Joseph Victor von Scheffel

b. 1826

German poet and author

Kim Jong Il

b. 1941

North Korean commander and politician, 2nd Supreme Leader of North Korea

Pierre Bouguer

b. 1698

French mathematician, geophysicist, and astronomer

John McEnroe

b. 1959

American tennis player and sportscaster

Sergio Canales

b. 1991

Spanish footballer

Octave Mirbeau

b. 1848

French journalist, novelist, and playwright

Deaths

  • 2016Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Egyptian politician and diplomat, 6th Secretary-General of the United Nations
  • 1980Erich Hückel, German physicist and chemist
  • 1917Octave Mirbeau, French journalist, novelist, and playwright
  • 1907Giosuè Carducci, Italian poet and educator, Nobel Prize laureate
  • 1391John V Palaiologos, Byzantine emperor
  • 1247Henry Raspe, Landgrave of Thuringia

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Abda of Edessa
  • —Christian feast day: Elias and companions
  • —Christian feast day: Juliana of Nicomedia (Catholic Church)
  • —Christian feast day: Onesimus
  • —Christian feast day: Charles Todd Quintard (Episcopal Church (USA))
  • —Christian feast day: February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
  • —Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong Il's birthday) (North Korea)
  • —Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania)

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