Summary of the Day ✨ 16 February (16/02)
On this day, thousands of Algerians gathered to mark the Hirak protest movement’s anniversary despite COVID restrictions, while a devastating bomb attack in Pakistan killed over 80 people. Simultaneously, environmental progress was marked as the Kyoto Protocol took effect, sports fans were disappointed by the NHL’s season cancellation, and the US military decommissioned its last MASH unit.
Historical Events 📜
- 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.
- 2013: A bomb blast at a market in Hazara Town, Quetta, Pakistan kills more than 80 people and injures 190 others.
- 2006: The last Mobile army surgical hospital (MASH) is decommissioned by the United States Army.
- 2005: The Kyoto Protocol comes into force, following its ratification by Russia.
- 2005: The National Hockey League cancels the entire 2004–05 regular season and playoffs.
- 2000: Emery Worldwide Airlines Flight 17 crashes near Sacramento Mather Airport in Rancho Cordova, California, killing all three aboard.
- 1998: China Airlines Flight 676 crashes into a road and residential area near Chiang Kai-shek International Airport in Taiwan, killing all 196 aboard and six more on the ground.
- 1996: A Chicago-bound Amtrak train, the Capitol Limited, collides with a MARC commuter train bound for Washington, D.C., killing 11 people.
- 1991: Nicaraguan Contras leader Enrique Bermúdez is assassinated in Managua.
- 1986: The Soviet liner MS Mikhail Lermontov runs aground in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand.
- 1986: China Airlines Flight 2265 crashes into the Pacific Ocean near Penghu Airport in Taiwan, killing all 13 aboard.
- 1985: Hezbollah is founded.
- 1984: Iran launches Operation Dawn 5, a major offensive during the Iran–Iraq War targeting the Basra–Baghdad highway, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides.
- 1983: The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia kill 75.
- 1978: The first computer bulletin board system is created (CBBS in Chicago).
Famous Births 👶
- 2001: Yuki Naito, Japanese tennis player
- 2000: Koffee, Jamaican singer, songwriter and rapper
- 2000: Coby White, American basketball player
- 2000: Carlos Yulo, Filipino artistic gymnast
- 1999: Ignatius Ganago, Cameroonian footballer
- 1999: Marie Ulven Ringheim, Norwegian singer, songwriter and music producer
- 1998: An Hyejin, South Korean volleyball player
- 1998: Kim Suji, South Korean diver
- 1997: Jordan Greenway, American ice hockey player
- 1995: Denzel Curry, American rapper
- 1995: Katy Dunne, English tennis player
- 1995: Carina Witthöft, German tennis player
- 1994: Annika Beck, German tennis player
- 1994: Federico Bernardeschi, Italian footballer
- 1994: Ava Max, American singer and songwriter
Notable Deaths 🕊️
- 2026: Billy Steinberg, American songwriter (born 1950)
- 2026: Frederick Wiseman, American filmmaker (born 1930)
- 2025: Viktor Antonov, Bulgarian artist (born 1972)
- 2024: Alexei Navalny, Russian activist (born 1976)
- 2021: Gustavo Noboa, Ecuadorian politician, 42nd President of Ecuador (born 1937)
- 2019: Bruno Ganz, Swiss actor (born 1941)
- 2016: Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Egyptian politician and diplomat, 6th Secretary-General of the United Nations (born 1922)
- 2015: Lasse Braun, Algerian-Italian director, producer, and screenwriter (born 1936)
- 2015: Lesley Gore, American singer-songwriter (born 1946)
- 2015: R. R. Patil, Indian lawyer and politician, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra (born 1957)
- 2015: Lorena Rojas, Mexican actress and singer (born 1971)
- 2014: Ken Farragut, American football player (born 1928)
- 2014: Kralle Krawinkel, German guitarist (born 1947)
- 2014: Michael Shea, American author (born 1946)
- 2013: Colin Edwards, Guyanese footballer (born 1991)
Holidays & Observances 🎉
- Christian feast day:
Abda of Edessa - Christian feast day:
Elias and companions - Christian feast day:
Juliana of Nicomedia (Catholic Church) - Christian feast day:
Onesimus - Christian feast day:
Charles Todd Quintard (Episcopal Church (USA)) - Christian feast day:
February 16 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics) - Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong Il’s birthday) (North Korea)
- Restoration of Lithuania’s Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania)
- Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (Alaska)