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On this day in History Archives
 
At PaulsQuiz.com we aim to provide you with as much information as we possibly can. That's why we have built our On This Day in History section, to do just that. Our database is forever growing, we're adding more and more events from history to help you write your quiz questions.

Simply enter a date using the drop-down boxes below and click the 'Go' button to display events from the past that ocurred on that day.
 

 
16 February, 2006
The last Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) is decommissioned by the United States Army.
16 February, 2005
The Kyoto Protocol comes into force, following its ratification by Russia.
16 February, 2005
The National Hockey League cancels the entire 2004-2005 regular season and playoffs, becoming the first major sports league in North America to do so over a labor dispute.
16 February, 1999
In Uzbekistan, a bomb explodes and gunfire is heard at the government headquarters in an apparent assassination attempt against President Islom Karimov.
16 February, 1999
Across Europe, Kurdish rebels take over embassies and hold hostages after Turkey arrested one of their rebel leaders, Abdullah Öcalan.
16 February, 1993
Western Australias and Australias first woman Premier, Carmen Lawrence, is voted out of office.
16 February, 1987
The trial of John Demjanjuk, accused of being a Nazi guard dubbed "Ivan the Terrible" in Treblinka extermination camp, starts in Jerusalem.
16 February, 1986
The Soviet liner Mikhail Lermontov runs aground in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.
16 February, 1985
The founding of Hezbollah.
16 February, 1983
The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia claim the lives of 75 people in Australias worst ever fires.
16 February, 1978
The first computer bulletin board system is created (CBBS in Chicago, Illinois).
16 February, 1968
In Haleyville, Alabama, the first 9-1-1 emergency telephone system goes into service.
16 February, 1961
Explorer program: Explorer 9 (S-56a) is launched.
16 February, 1959
Fidel Castro becomes Premier of Cuba after dictator Fulgencio Batista was overthrown on January 1.
16 February, 1957
The "Toddlers Truce", a controversial television closedown between 6.00pm and 7.00pm was abolished in the United Kingdom.
16 February, 1947
Canadians granted Canadian citizenship after 80 years of being British subjects. Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King becomes the first Canadian citizen.
16 February, 1945
World War II: American forces land on Corregidor island in the Philippines.
16 February, 1945
World War II: First American Aircraft carrier strikes on Tokyo.
16 February, 1945
American forces recapture the Bataan Peninsula.
16 February, 1943
World War II: The USSR reconquers Kharkov.
16 February, 1940
World War II: Altmark Incident: The German tanker Altmark is boarded by sailors from the British destroyer HMS Cossack. 299 British prisoners are freed.
16 February, 1937
Wallace H. Carothers receives a patent for nylon.
16 February, 1936
Elections bring the Popular Front to power in Spain.
16 February, 1934
Austrian Civil War ends with the defeat of the Social Democrats and the Republican Schutzbund.
16 February, 1934
Commission of Government is sworn in as form of direct rule for the Dominion of Newfoundland.
16 February, 1923
Howard Carter unseals the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
16 February, 1918
The Council of Lithuania unanimously adopts the Act of Independence, declaring Lithuania an independent state.
16 February, 1899
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur Icelands first football club is founded.
16 February, 1899
President Félix Faure of France dies in office.
16 February, 1868
In New York City the Jolly Corks organization is renamed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE).
16 February, 1866
Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes the British Secretary of State for War.
16 February, 1862
American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee.
16 February, 1859
The French Government passes a law to set the A-note above middle C to a frequency of 435 Hz, in an attempt to standardize the pitch.
16 February, 1852
Studebaker Brothers wagon company, precursor of the automobile manufacturer, is established.
16 February, 1838
Weenen Massacre: Hundreds of Voortrekkers along the Blaukraans River, Natal are killed by Zulus.
16 February, 1804
First Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate USS Philadelphia.
16 February, 1742
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes British Prime Minister.
16 February, 1646
Battle of Great Torrington, Devon - the last major battle of the first English Civil War.
16 February, 1249
Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khan of the Mongols.

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