February 16

Events

1249day.year

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.
On February 16, 1249, King Louis IX of France commissioned Dominican friar Andrew of Longjumeau as an envoy to the court of the Great Khan. Andrew undertook a perilous journey across Asia, aiming to persuade the Mongols to support Christian forces against Muslim armies in the Holy Land. His mission represented one of the earliest direct European contacts with the Mongol Empire. Although he did not secure a formal military alliance, his detailed accounts informed Western perceptions of Mongol society and power. The expedition highlighted the far-reaching ambitions of the Capetian monarchy during the age of the Crusades.
1249 Andrew of Longjumeau Louis IX of France ambassador Khagan Mongol Empire
1270day.year

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.
On February 16, 1270, Duke Traidenis of Lithuania led his army across the ice of the Gulf of Riga to launch a surprise attack on the Livonian Order at Karuse. The Livonian knights, unprepared for combat on frozen waters, suffered heavy losses and were routed by the lighter Lithuanian forces. This triumph bolstered Lithuanian resistance against Northern Crusades and halted the expansion of the Livonian Order. The battle underscored the strategic use of seasonal conditions in medieval warfare. News of the victory spread across Europe, enhancing Lithuania’s reputation as a formidable power in the Baltic region.
1270 Grand Duchy of Lithuania Livonian Order Battle of Karuse
1630day.year

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.
On February 16, 1630, a Dutch squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Hendrick Corneliszoon Lonck launched a surprise assault on the Portuguese-held city of Olinda. The capture of Olinda secured a strategic foothold in northeastern Brazil for the Dutch West India Company and its lucrative sugar plantations. Local Portuguese settlers were displaced, and Dutch administration began reshaping colonial trade networks. This victory set the stage for the nearly 24-year period of Dutch control known as Dutch Brazil. The operation demonstrated the growing maritime power of the Netherlands during the Golden Age of exploration.
1630 Hendrick Lonck capture Olinda Dutch Brazil
1646day.year

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.
On February 16, 1646, Parliamentary forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax besieged the Royalist garrison at Torrington in Devon, engaging in the last major battle of the First English Civil War. Despite fierce resistance, superior artillery and disciplined troops of the New Model Army forced the defenders led by Sir Ralph Hopton to retreat. A catastrophic explosion in the church, used to store ammunition, added to Royalist losses and confusion. The fall of Torrington sealed Parliamentary control over the Southwest and undermined hopes for a Royalist resurgence. This decisive engagement effectively concluded the first phase of the Civil War and demonstrated the effectiveness of modern, professionalized armies.
1646 Battle of Torrington First English Civil War
1699day.year

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.
On February 16, 1699, Emperor Leopold I of the Holy Roman Empire issued the First Leopoldine Diploma, affirming that Greek Catholic clergy in Transylvania would enjoy the same rights and protections as their Roman Catholic counterparts. This decree aimed to stabilize religious tensions in the region following the Union of Uzhhorod. Greek Catholic priests gained legal recognition to own property, collect tithes, and hold ecclesiastical courts. The diploma strengthened Habsburg influence and fostered a degree of religious pluralism within Transylvania’s multiethnic society. It marked a significant step in the empire’s management of its Eastern Christian subjects.
1699 Leopoldine Holy Roman Emperor Greek Catholic Roman Catholic Principality of Transylvania
1742day.year

Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes British Prime Minister.

Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, is appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain.
On February 16, 1742, Spencer Compton, the Earl of Wilmington, was appointed Prime Minister by King George II following the fall of Sir Robert Walpole’s administration. Compton headed a coalition government during a volatile period marked by debates over military funding and foreign policy. Despite his brief term, he managed cabinet tensions and maintained parliamentary support. His leadership style was considered moderate, balancing factions within the Whig party. Compton’s appointment reflected the evolving role of the Prime Minister in Britain’s constitutional monarchy.
1742 Spencer Compton Earl of Wilmington British Prime Minister
1796day.year

Colombo in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) falls to the British, completing their invasion of Ceylon.

British forces capture Colombo, completing their conquest of Ceylon.
On February 16, 1796, British troops led by Major-General James Stuart peacefully occupied Colombo, the last Dutch stronghold in Ceylon. The surrender marked the end of Dutch colonial rule and solidified British control over the entire island. The takeover was part of Britain’s strategic campaign to dominate Indian Ocean trade routes. Local administration transitioned to the British East India Company, initiating changes in land revenue and agriculture. The conquest of Ceylon opened new markets for British commerce and reshaped the island’s political landscape.
1796 Colombo invasion of Ceylon
1804day.year

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.
On the night of February 16, 1804, Lieutenant Stephen Decatur commanded a small flotilla in a covert mission to destroy the USS Philadelphia, which had been seized by Tripolitan forces. Disguised as local merchants, Decatur and his men slipped past enemy patrols and boarded the ship under cover of darkness. After overcoming the minimal guard on board, they set the frigate ablaze, preventing its use against American forces. The bold operation in Tripoli harbor became celebrated as one of the most daring naval exploits in U.S. history. Decatur’s leadership and bravery boosted American morale and demonstrated the young nation’s resolve to combat piracy.
1804 First Barbary War Stephen Decatur pirate USS Philadelphia
1862day.year

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.
On February 16, 1862, Union forces under Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant forced the surrender of the Confederate garrison at Fort Donelson along the Cumberland River. The victory marked the first major Union triumph in the American Civil War and cracked open the Confederate defenses in the Western Theater. Grant’s demand for “unconditional surrender” earned him national fame and the nickname “Unconditional Surrender” Grant. The fall of Fort Donelson opened a vital waterway for Union advances into the Confederate heartland. The capture also yielded thousands of Confederate prisoners and boosted Northern morale at a critical stage of the war.
1862 American Civil War Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson Tennessee
1866day.year

Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes British Secretary of State for War.

Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, is appointed British Secretary of State for War.
On February 16, 1866, Spencer Compton Cavendish, later the 8th Duke of Devonshire, assumed the role of Secretary of State for War under Prime Minister Lord Russell. Known as the Marquess of Hartington, he was a leading figure in the Liberal Party and played a key role in military administration and reform. Cavendish advocated improvements in army organization and training following the Crimean War. His tenure focused on modernizing the War Office and addressing challenges of recruitment and discipline. The appointment reflected the shifting dynamics of British politics in the mid-19th century.
1866 Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington Secretary of State for War
1881day.year

The Canadian Pacific Railway is incorporated by Act of Parliament at Ottawa (44th Vic., c.1).

The Canadian Pacific Railway was officially incorporated by the Canadian Parliament, initiating the construction of a coast-to-coast railway across Canada.
In 1881, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) was granted its corporate charter by the Parliament of Canada. The act empowered the CPR to construct a transcontinental line linking the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. This monumental project aimed to unite the young nation and promote settlement in the western provinces. Engineers and laborers braved rugged terrain, harsh weather, and logistical challenges to lay thousands of miles of track. The railway would become a critical artery for trade, immigration, and national defense. The CPR's incorporation marked a defining moment in Canada's political and economic development. By providing reliable transportation, it helped shape the country's identity and future growth.
1881 Canadian Pacific Railway
1899day.year

Iceland's first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, is founded.

Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, Iceland's first football club, was founded in Reykjavik, laying the foundation for organized soccer in the country.
In 1899, a group of football enthusiasts in Reykjavik established Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur (KR), marking the birth of organized football in Iceland. The club quickly became a hub for athletic development and social gatherings, promoting the sport among Icelandic youth. KR's founding paved the way for local leagues and national competitions, fostering a sense of community and national pride. Over the decades, the club has produced top-tier players and won numerous championships. Today, KR remains one of Iceland's most successful and storied football institutions, inspiring generations of fans.
1899 Iceland Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur