February 16: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

February 16^th is known as Innovation Day as well as Do a Grouch a Favor Day.

Welcome to day 47 of 365! We’re still 318 days away from celebrating the new year, but we’ve gotta look forward to something right?

What better way to inspire that impact than with these incredible events and facts about this day? Tap into these amazing events to tap into your full potential.

Did you know that on this day in 1968, the first ever 911 call was made in the US? The call was made in Haleyville, Alabama by Senator Rankin Fite.

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

What Happened On February 16 In History?

2005

Reality documentary The Apprentice (UK) premiered with businessman, Lord Alan Sugar as the leading judge.

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1980

The World’s longest traffic jam from Lyon to Paris, France extended a lengthy 104 miles (167 km).

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1968

The first ever 911 call was made in the US.

The service went live on this day in Haleyville, Alabama.

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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.

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1946

The first commercial helicopter, Sikorsky S51, had its first test flight.

The test took place in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.

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1943

Winston Churchill fell ill with pneumonia.

1934

The Austrian Civil War came to an end after four days of bloodshed.

Also known as the February Uprising, this was more a series of conflicts between Austrian socialists and the fascist government than an outright war. The socialists ultimately surrendered after as many as 1,000 casualties.

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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.

1899

Iceland’s first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkurv (Reykjavík Football Club), was founded.

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1862

The Battle of Fort Donelson ended, with nearly 14,000 Confederate soldiers surrendering.

Even though nearly 1,000 soldiers on both sides were killed at the Battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee, the Confederate soldiers surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant.

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1840

The Shackleton Ice Shelf in Antarctica was discovered by American explorer Charles Wilkes.

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1659

The first known British check was written for the amount of £400.

In today's money, that's equivalent to £48,000 ($62,525).The check is currently on display at Westminster Abbey.

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February 16 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone

If you were born on February 16th, your zodiac sign is Aquarius.

Being a lone thinker can make Aquarians somewhat detached from their world, and the world everybody else lives in.

If you were born in February, your birthstone is the Amethyst. Ancient Greeks believed that the Amethyst protected the person wearing it from drunkenness and helped keep the wearer sober-minded.

People born on February 16 were likely conceived on or around May 26 in the previous year.

Is today is your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Ava Max. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

Famous People Born On February 16

Ava Max

American Singer

Birthday: February 16, 1994

Age: 27 years old

Born In: Wisconsin, USA

Elizabeth Olsen

American Actress

Birthday: February 16, 1989

Age: 32 years old

Born In: California, USA

Kim Jong-il

North Korean Politician

Birthday: February 16, 1941

Died On: Dec 17, 2011 (Age 70)

Born In: Khabarovsk, Russia

February 15 Feb 15

February 17 Feb 17

February 16: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

What Happened On February 16 In History?

Reality documentary The Apprentice (UK) premiered with businessman, Lord Alan Sugar as the leading judge.

The World’s longest traffic jam from Lyon to Paris, France extended a lengthy 104 miles (167 km).

The first ever 911 call was made in the US.

Fidel Castro was sworn in as Prime Minister of Cuba.

The first commercial helicopter, Sikorsky S51, had its first test flight.

Winston Churchill fell ill with pneumonia.

The Austrian Civil War came to an end after four days of bloodshed.

Egyptian King Tutankhamun’s coffin was discovered.

Iceland’s first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkurv (Reykjavík Football Club), was founded.

The Battle of Fort Donelson ended, with nearly 14,000 Confederate soldiers surrendering.

The Shackleton Ice Shelf in Antarctica was discovered by American explorer Charles Wilkes.

The first known British check was written for the amount of £400.

February 16 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone