February 16: What Happened on This Day in History
February 16th marks the 47th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 318 days (319 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 16th in history, famous birthdays on February 16th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 16.
What happened on February 16?
Here's what happened on February 16th in history:
- 2021: Dallas experienced its lowest temperature in 70 years during a major winter storm, with temperatures dropping to minus-2 degrees Fahrenheit, causing significant disruption and challenging local infrastructure.
- 2014: On February 16, 2014, protests in Ukraine escalated as demonstrators clashed with police in Kyiv's Independence Square. The unrest was part of a broader movement against President Viktor Yanukovych's government, demanding closer ties with the European Union. source: bbc.com
- 2004: On February 16, 2004, a series of attacks in Fallujah, Iraq, resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. The attacks targeted coalition forces and were part of the ongoing insurgency in the region. source: cnn.com
- 2002: On February 16, 2002, it was reported that President George W. Bush had signed a secret directive authorizing the Pentagon to begin planning for a potential military invasion of Iraq. This directive marked the beginning of formal military planning for what would later become the Iraq War, raising concerns about the administration's intentions and the potential for conflict. source: nytimes.com
- 2000: Gabrielle's song 'Rise' was the number one track in the United Kingdom on February 16, 2000, representing the British music scene of that time.
- 1999: The capital murder trial of John William King, accused of the 1998 dragging death of James Byrd Jr., commenced in Jasper, Texas. King was later convicted and executed in 2019. source: britannica.com
- 1994: A powerful earthquake struck Sumatra, Indonesia, on February 16, 1994, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The quake registered a magnitude of 6.8 and led to significant humanitarian challenges in the affected areas. source: usgs.gov
- 1985: Hezbollah, a Shiite militant group and political party, was officially founded in Lebanon on February 16, 1985. The organization emerged during the Lebanese Civil War and has since played a significant role in Lebanese politics and regional conflicts, particularly against Israel. Its founding was influenced by the Iranian Revolution and the desire to resist Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon. source: bbc.com
- 1981: On February 16, 1981, a bomb exploded at Karachi's National Stadium shortly before Pope John Paul II was scheduled to celebrate mass. The blast killed the man carrying the device and injured several others. The explosion occurred about 15 minutes before the pope's arrival, causing panic among the crowd of over 70,000 people. The Vatican did not confirm reports of the blast, and it was unclear whether the pope was informed before starting the mass. source: digital.bentley.umich.edu
- 1965: The Pegasus 1 satellite was launched on February 16, 1965, marking a significant milestone in satellite technology. It was part of the U.S. Navy's program to develop satellite communications capabilities. source: nasa.gov
What famous birthdays are on February 16?
On February 16th there are the following famous birthdays:
![The Weeknd]()
The Weeknd (1990)The Weeknd is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer known for his distinctive singing voice, genre-blending music, and atmospheric production style. Rising to fame in the early 2010s, he achieved international acclaim with hits like 'Can't Feel My Face', 'The Hills', and 'Blinding Lights'. [bio]
![John McEnroe]()
John McEnroe (1959)John McEnroe is an American former professional tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest and most controversial players in the sport's history. Known for his exceptional shot-making, volleying skills, and fiery on-court temperament, McEnroe became a global tennis icon in the 1980s. [bio]
![Elizabeth Olsen]()
Elizabeth Olsen (1989)Elizabeth Olsen is an American actress best known for her role as Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and streaming series. She has received critical acclaim for performances in independent films and has garnered multiple awards and nominations throughout her career. [bio]
![Mahershala Ali]()
Mahershala Ali (1974)Mahershala Ali is an American actor and rapper best known for his award-winning performances in film and television, including his Academy Award-winning roles in 'Moonlight' and 'Green Book.' He is one of the few actors to have won two Oscars for Best Supporting Actor within a short span and is acclaimed for his versatility and depth of character portrayal. [bio]
![Christopher Eccleston]()
Christopher Eccleston (1964)Christopher Eccleston is an English actor best known for his television and film work, including his role as the Ninth Doctor in the long-running BBC series 'Doctor Who.' He is recognized for his intensity and versatility in both dramatic and genre roles. [bio]
![LeVar Burton]()
LeVar Burton (1957)LeVar Burton is an American actor, director, and author, best known for his roles as Kunta Kinte in the landmark miniseries 'Roots', as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and as the longtime host of the children's educational program 'Reading Rainbow.' [bio]
![Sonny Bono]()
Sonny Bono (1935)Sonny Bono was an American singer, songwriter, producer, and politician, best known as one half of the musical duo Sonny & Cher. He later served as the mayor of Palm Springs, California, and as a U.S. Congressman. [bio]
![June Brown]()
June Brown (1927)June Brown was a renowned English actress best known for her long-running role as Dot Cotton on the BBC soap opera EastEnders. Her career spanned theatre, television, and film, and she was widely recognized for her distinctive contribution to British television. [bio]
![John Schlesinger]()
John Schlesinger (1926)John Schlesinger was an acclaimed English film and stage director known for his work in both British and American cinema. He gained international recognition for his innovative storytelling and finely observed character studies, and is especially notable for directing the Academy Award-winning film 'Midnight Cowboy.' [bio]
![Lisa Loring]()
Lisa Loring (1958)Lisa Loring was an American actress best known for her role as Wednesday Addams in the original 1960s television series 'The Addams Family.' [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on February 16?
On February 16th the following celebrities died:
![Bruno Ganz]()
Bruno Ganz (2019)Bruno Ganz was a Swiss actor renowned for his accomplished career in European cinema and theater, most notably for his portrayal of Adolf Hitler in the film 'Downfall' (2004) and as Damiel in 'Wings of Desire' (1987). Ganz was celebrated for his intense performances and his ability to bring complex characters to life across various genres. [bio]
![Lesley Gore]()
Lesley Gore (2015)Lesley Gore was an American singer, songwriter, and actress, best known for her hit pop singles in the 1960s, particularly "It's My Party." She became an icon of the early 1960s pop scene and later became an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. [bio]
![Lila Kedrova]()
Lila Kedrova (2000)Lila Kedrova was a Russian-born French actress best known for her Academy Award-winning role as Madame Hortense in the film 'Zorba the Greek' (1964). She had a prolific career in both European and American cinema and theater. [bio]
![Marceline Day]()
Marceline Day (2000)Marceline Day was an American film actress best known for her work during the silent film era. She enjoyed significant popularity in the 1920s and is particularly remembered for her roles in comedies and action pictures alongside prominent stars of the time. [bio]
![Vera Kholodnaya]()
![Keith Haring]()
Keith Haring (1990)Iconic American pop and street artist who revolutionized contemporary art through his vibrant, socially conscious graffiti and graphic style...
![Anthony Shadid]()
Anthony Shadid (2012)Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist renowned for his exceptional and nuanced reporting on Middle Eastern conflicts.
![William Masters]()
William Masters (2001)Pioneering American gynecologist and sexologist who revolutionized scientific understanding of human sexuality through groundbreaking...
![Chien-Shiung Wu]()
Chien-Shiung Wu (1997)Renowned Chinese-American physicist who made groundbreaking contributions to nuclear physics and was often called the 'First Lady of...
![Ernie Stautner]()
Ernie Stautner (2006)Ernie Stautner was a legendary NFL defensive tackle who played 14 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and was inducted into the Pro Football...
What day of the year is February 16?
February 16th marks the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 318 days remaining until the end of the year (or 319 days in case of leap years).
February 16th is the 16th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 16?
The zodiac sign associated with February 16th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
