February 16
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Abda of Edessa, Elias and companions, Juliana of Nicomedia(Catholic Church), Onesimus, Charles Todd Quintard(Episcopal Church (USA)), February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
A collective feast day observed on February 16 by Catholic, Orthodox, and Episcopal churches honoring several saints including Abda of Edessa, Elias and companions, Juliana of Nicomedia, Onesimus, and Charles Todd Quintard.
Day of the Shining Star(Kim Jong Il's birthday) (North Korea)
A national holiday in North Korea celebrating the birth of Kim Jong Il, known as the Day of the Shining Star, marked with public ceremonies and festivities.
Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania)
Lithuania's national holiday marking the February 16, 1918 declaration of independence from Russia and Germany, celebrated with official ceremonies and cultural events.
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day(Alaska)
An official Alaska holiday honoring Elizabeth Peratrovich for her pioneering civil rights advocacy for Alaska Natives, observed every February 16.
Abda of Edessa
Elias and companions
Juliana of Nicomedia(Catholic Church)
Onesimus
Charles Todd Quintard(Episcopal Church (USA))
Events
Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khagan of the Mongol Empire.
King Louis IX sends Andrew of Longjumeau as his ambassador to the Mongol Empire in hopes of securing an alliance for the Crusades.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Livonian Order in the Battle of Karuse.
Lithuanian forces achieve a decisive victory over the Livonian Order on the frozen Gulf of Riga.
Dutch forces led by Hendrick Lonck capture Olinda in what was to become part of Dutch Brazil.
Under Hendrick Lonck, Dutch forces seize Olinda, marking the start of Dutch Brazil.
Battle of Torrington, Devon: The last major battle of the First English Civil War.
The Battle of Torrington in Devon marks the final major engagement of the First English Civil War.
First Leopoldine Diploma is issued by the Holy Roman Emperor, recognizing the Greek Catholic clergy enjoyed the same privileges as Roman Catholic priests in the Principality of Transylvania.
The First Leopoldine Diploma grants equal privileges to Greek Catholic and Roman Catholic clergy in Transylvania.
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes British Prime Minister.
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, is appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Colombo in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) falls to the British, completing their invasion of Ceylon.
British forces capture Colombo, completing their conquest of Ceylon.
First Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate USS Philadelphia.
During the First Barbary War, Stephen Decatur leads a daring raid to destroy the captured USS Philadelphia in Tripoli harbor.
American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee.
Ulysses S. Grant secures a key Union victory by capturing Fort Donelson in Tennessee.
Births
Nichiren
Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Nichiren school of Buddhism.
Jayaatu Khan Tugh Temür
Mongol emperor of the Yuan dynasty in China.
Coluccio Salutati
Italian humanist scholar and long-serving Chancellor of Florence.
John I
Noble ruler of the Duchy of Cleves in the Holy Roman Empire.
Eric I
German prince who ruled the Principality of Calenberg-Göttingen.
Krishnadevaraya
Renowned emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire during its golden age.
Philip Melanchthon
German humanist, theologian, and key figure of the Protestant Reformation.
Georg Joachim Rheticus
Austrian mathematician, cartographer, and early proponent of heliocentrism.
Gaspard II de Coligny
French nobleman and Huguenot leader who served as Admiral of France.
Deaths
Zhu Yi
Chinese general of the Liang Dynasty who served Emperor Wu and influenced military and governmental decisions.
Mary the Younger
Byzantine saint venerated for her devout faith, monastic life, and reported miracles.
Richard of Dover
12th-century Archbishop of Canterbury who guided the English church through reform and reconciliation.
Henry Raspe
Landgrave of Thuringia and briefly anti-king of Germany, central to 13th-century imperial power struggles.
King of Portugal who expanded the kingdom’s territory and strengthened royal authority.
Gertrude of Hohenberg
Queen consort of Germany as the wife of Emperor Rudolf I, instrumental in early Habsburg dynastic consolidation.
Rupert I
Elector Palatine of the Rhine who fostered economic growth and cultural patronage in the 14th century.
John V Palaiologos
Byzantine emperor who ruled for half a century amid civil strife and Ottoman threats.
Johannes Stöffler
German mathematician and astronomer celebrated for his astronomical tables and instrument design.