What Happened on February 16?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 16
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 16, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
1936 Spanish general election
Year:
1936
The Popular Front wins the 1936 Spanish general election.
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Austrian Civil War
Year:
1934
The Austrian Civil War ends with the defeat of the Social Democrats and the Republikanischer Schutzbund.
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Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Year:
1270
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Livonian Order in the Battle of Karuse.
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Romanian Football Federation
Year:
1930
The Romanian Football Federation joins FIFA.
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Wallace Carothers
Year:
1937
Wallace H. Carothers receives a United States patent for nylon.
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World War II
Year:
1940
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.
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Kherrata
Year:
2021
Five thousand people gathered in the town of Kherrata, Bejaia Province to mark the second anniversary of the Hirak protest movement. Demonstrations had been suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic in Algeria.
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Third Battle of Kharkov
Year:
1943
World War II: In the early phases of the Third Battle of Kharkov, Red Army troops re-enter the city.
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BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 16
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 16, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
John Schlesinger
Year of birth:
1926
John Schlesinger, English actor and director (died 2003)
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Ed Emshwiller
Year of birth:
1925
Ed Emshwiller, American illustrator and experiment film maker (died 1990)
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Samuel Willenberg
Year of birth:
1923
Samuel Willenberg, Polish-Israeli sculptor and painter (died 2016)
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Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer
Year of birth:
1922
Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer, German soldier and pilot (died 1950)
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Margot Frank
Year of birth:
1926
Margot Frank, German-Dutch holocaust victim (died 1945)
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June Brown
Year of birth:
1927
June Brown, English actress (died 2022)
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Bernie Geoffrion
Year of birth:
1931
Bernie Geoffrion, Canadian ice hockey player and coach (died 2006)
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Ken Takakura
Year of birth:
1931
Ken Takakura, Japanese actor and singer (died 2014)
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DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 16
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 16, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Josef Hofmann
Year of death:
1957
Josef Hofmann, Polish-American pianist and composer (born 1876)
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Dazzy Vance
Year of death:
1961
Dazzy Vance, American baseball player (born 1891)
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James M. Canty
Year of death:
1964
James M. Canty, American educator, school administrator, and businessperson (born 1865)
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Smiley Burnette
Year of death:
1967
Smiley Burnette, American singer-songwriter and actor (born 1911)
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Dadasaheb Phalke
Year of death:
1944
Dadasaheb Phalke, Indian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1870)
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Frida Felser
Year of death:
1941
Frida Felser, German opera singer and actress (born 1872)
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Eddie Foy
Year of death:
1928
Eddie Foy Sr., American actor and dancer (born 1856)
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Edgar Speyer
Year of death:
1932
Edgar Speyer, American-English financier and philanthropist (born 1862)
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HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 16
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 16 around the world.
Day of the Shining Star
Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong Il's birthday) (North Korea)
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Act of Independence of Lithuania
Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania)
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Elizabeth Peratrovich
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (Alaska)
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February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Charles Todd Quintard
Christian feast day: Charles Todd Quintard (Episcopal Church (USA))
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Juliana of Nicomedia
Christian feast day: Juliana of Nicomedia (Catholic Church)
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Onesimus
Christian feast day: Onesimus
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Elias and Companions
Christian feast day: Elias and companions
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