600 – Pope Gregory the Great decrees saying “God bless You” is the correct response to a sneeze.
1568 – A death sentence was passed on an entire country when the Netherlands was condemned for heresy by the Spanish Inquisition.
You will also like...
1659 – A cheque is used for the first time in Britain as Mr Nicholas Vanacker settles a debt.
1754 – Richard Mead, physician to George II, who promoted inoculation for smallpox, died.
1923 – Egyptian King Tutankhamun’s coffin was discovered. English archeologist Howard Carter entered the tomb on November 22, where everything was fully intact, untouched for over 3,000 years. Inside there were four rooms, and upon opening the last chamber on this day, they found the golden coffin belonging to King Tutankhamun.
1957 – The British TV broadcasters BBC and ITV ended a postwar policy in which there was no programming between 6:00 and 7:00 at night; known as the “toddler’s truce,” the break was designed to help parents put children to bed.
1959 – Fidel Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba. After leading a Communist guerilla campaign that forced dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile, Castro then became the leader and was sworn in.
1968 – In Haleyville, Alabama, the first 9-1-1 emergency telephone system goes into service.
1980 – The world’s longest traffic jam from Lyon to Paris, France, extended a lengthy 104 miles (167 km).
1992 – After learning his ancestors came from Cote d’Ivoire, Michael Jackson, the king of pop music is honoured as Chief of the Sanwi on a visit to the country.
2005 – The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing the emission of gases that contribute to global warming, went into effect.
Births on this day February 16
John McEnroe, 65 years
John Patrick McEnroe Jr. is an American former professional tennis player who was born in West Germany. He was known for his shot-making and volleying skills, his rivalries with Björn Borg and Jimmy Connors, and his confrontational on-court behavior, which frequently landed him in trouble with umpires and tennis authorities.
Omoyele Sowore, 52
Omoyele “Yele” Sowore is a Nigerian human rights activist, citizen reporter, writer, lecturer, and pro-democracy campaigner, known for founding the online news agency Sahara Reporters.
Valentino Rossi, 45 years
Valentino Rossi is an Italian racing driver, former professional motorcycle road racer, and nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing World Champion. Nicknamed The Doctor, he is widely considered to be one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, with some labeling him as the greatest ever.
Elizabeth Olsen, 35
Elizabeth Chase Olsen is an American actress. Born in Sherman Oaks, California, Olsen began acting at age four alongside her sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. She had her debut film role in the thriller Martha Marcy May Marlene in 2011, for which she was acclaimed and nominated for a Critics’ Choice Movie Award.
Kindly like, comment, follow, and share
