This Day In History : February 16

1918 Lithuania

Lithuania Declares Independence from Russia and Germany

On February 16, 1918, Lithuania declared its independence from both Russia and Germany, marking a significant milestone in its history. This declaration came amidst the chaos of World War I and the collapse of empires across Europe. Lithuania's National Day commemorates this event, celebrating its sovereignty and the establishment of an independent state after centuries of foreign rule.

Also on This Day in History February 16

Discover what happened on February 16 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, February 16
  • 1909 Richard McDonald

    American fast food entrepreneur, who established the first McDonald's restaurant along with his brother

  • 1941 Kim Jong-il

    North Korean politician, 2nd Supreme Leader of North Korea (1994-2011)

  • 1901 John Rex Whinfield

    English chemist and inventor who invented polyethylene terephthalate

  • 1514 Georg Joachim Rheticus

    Italian-Austrian astronomer, physician, and cartographer, mathematician (trigonometric tables)

  • 1935 Bradford Parkinson

    American engineer and inventor who invented Global Positioning System

Deaths on This Day, February 16
  • 2020 Larry Tesler

    American computer scientist who invented copy, cut, paste

  • 2019 Theodore Isaac Rubin

    American psychiatrist, author who popularized psychotherapy

  • 1997 Chien-Shiung Wu

    Chinese-American experimental physicist who conduced the Wu experiment

  • 1531 Johannes Stöffler

    German mathematician and astronomer

  • 2009 Ernest Harrison

    British electronics and telecommunications executive, CEO of Racal Electronics, 1966-2000, Vodafone, 1981-2000

2005

Kyoto Protocol Enters Into Force

On February 16, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, officially entered into force. The protocol was adopted in Kyoto, Japan, in 1997 and commits signatory nations to reducing their emissions of six greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.
1923

Howard Carter Opens King Tutankhamun's Tomb Chamber

On February 16, 1923, archaeologist Howard Carter successfully opened the sealed doorway to the sepulchral chamber of King Tutankhamun's tomb in Thebes, Egypt. Inside, Carter and his team discovered a vast array of treasures, artifacts, and the mummy of the young pharaoh, offering unprecedented insights into ancient Egyptian culture and history.
1946

First Commercial Helicopter Sikorsky S-51 Takes Flight

In 1946, the Sikorsky S-51, the world's first commercially successful helicopter with a single rotor and four seats, made its maiden flight. Designed by Igor Sikorsky, this helicopter marked a significant advancement in rotorcraft technology, offering greater capacity and efficiency for civilian and military applications.
1948

Miranda, Uranus' Moon, Photographed for the First Time

In 1948, Gerard Kuiper, the Dutch astronomer, captured the first photograph of Miranda, one of Uranus' moons. Miranda, the smallest among Uranus' five major satellites, boasts a diameter of 480 km. Gerard Kuiper is also known for discovering Neptune's moon Nereid in 1949. This photographic achievement marked a significant milestone in understanding the Uranian system and deepened our knowledge of planetary satellites.
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