Andrew of Longjumeau is sent by King Louis IX of France as an ambassador to the Mongol Empire.
In History, Today on February 16
Today we explore events from the year 1249 to the year 2011. Events span the globe, from the countries of France, England, United States, Norway, Australia, Lebanon, Bahrain, Libya, Egypt, Cuba, Japan.
1249
Paris, France
1659
London, England
The first known cheque is written in England.
1804
Tripoli, Libya
The first Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the captured USS Philadelphia.
1862
Fort Donelson, United States
American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee.
1923
Luxor, Egypt
Howard Carter unseals the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
1937
Wilmington, United States
Wallace H. Carothers receives a patent for nylon.
1940
Jøssingfjord, Norway
The British destroyer HMS Cossack boarded the German tanker Altmark in Norwegian waters, freeing 299 British prisoners.
1959
Havana, Cuba
Fidel Castro becomes the Prime Minister of Cuba after overthrowing Fulgencio Batista.
1968
Haleyville, United States
In Haleyville, Alabama, the first 9-1-1 emergency telephone system goes into service.
1983
Victoria, Australia
The Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia killed 75 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
1985
Beirut, Lebanon
Hezbollah is founded in Lebanon.
1992
Los Angeles, United States
The Los Angeles Lakers retired Magic Johnson's number 32 jersey.
2005
Kyoto, Japan
The Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, officially came into force after being adopted in 1997. It marked a significant step in global efforts to combat climate change.
2011
Manama, Bahrain
A massive protest took place in Bahrain as part of the Arab Spring, with demonstrators demanding political reforms and greater freedoms. The protests were centered at the Pearl Roundabout in the capital, Manama.