The Dutch East India Company retakes the city of Quilon in India from the Portuguese on February 16, 1661, landing their troops near Palliport and advancing to the main fortress to complete the recapture of the city. The fall of Quilon was only one of the actions in the Dutch takeover of Portuguese strongholds on the Malabar Coast, leading to their dominance in the area.
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On This Day in History: February 16
Explore the historical events that shaped our world on February 16th. From major milestones to cultural achievements, see what happened on this day in history. Dates for earlier events may be approximate.
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On his inaugural train journey to Washington D.C., President elect Abraham Lincoln stops in Westfield on February 16, 1861, to meet 11-year-old Grace Bedell, who had written to Lincoln the prior year, suggesting he grow a beard to improve his appearance and win more votes. Lincoln, reportedly saying, "Gracie, look at my whiskers. I have been growing them for you". Read the letters.
After months of clearing the outer chambers, on February 16. 1923, British archaeologist Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon opened the sealed door to the burial chamber, the final and most important chamber of the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun (King Tut).
The initial discovery of the tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings occurred on November 4, 1922. Most pharaohs graves were plundered by graverobbers in ancient times, however Tutankhamun's tomb was hidden by debris for most of its existence and became the first known largely intact royal burial site found from ancient Egypt.
The fundamental patent for the synthetic polymer's formula and creation process for Nylon was issued on February 16, 1937, to E.I. DuPont. The principal Inventor credited was Wallace Hume Carothers, chemist and the leader of organic chemistry at DuPont.
The invention of Nylon, the first truly synthetic fiber, revolutionized the materials industry, creating new possibilities in plastics and textiles as it replaced natural fibers like silk leading to widespread use in textiles and consumer goods, as well as parachutes during WWII.
Just slightly over two months after the patent was issued, Dr. Carothers committed suicide on April 29, 1937. He suffered from Chronic Depression.
U.S. paratroopers along with amphibious forces, landed on Corregidor Island, Philippines on February 16, 1945 with the objective of recapturing it from Japanese forces. The surprise attack lead to the island's liberation within two weeks securing the entrance to Manila Bay. General Douglas MacArthur returned to the island on March 2, 1945.
Fidel Castro becomes prime minister of Cuba on February 16, 1959, replacing José Miró Cardona, who was the head of the country's new provisional government. Castro had become commander in chief of Cuba’s armed forces, after leading the guerrilla campaign that forced right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile on January 1, 1959. More
The Kyoto Protocol officially entered into force on February 16, 2005. It had been signed (adopted) in Kyoto, Japan, on December 11, 1997. The international treaty was a major step in global climate policy as it aimed to achieve reductions of greenhouse gas emissions.
It was succeeded by the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty on climate change signed by 196 parties at COP21 in Paris on December 12, 2015. The Paris agreement entered into force on November 4, 2016, and has seen nearly universal participation. However, it allows for voluntary withdrawal.