Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 16 Monday, February 16, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 16 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
3
Holidays
UK history 160 years ago
Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes British Secretary of State for War.
Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, becomes British Secretary of State for War at age 33.
History
What happened on February 16
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1249World history
Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khagan of the Mongol Empire.
Andrew of Longjumeau is sent by King Louis IX of France to negotiate with the Mongol Khagan.
- 1270European history
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Livonian Order in the Battle of Karuse.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Livonian Order in a naval battle near the island of Oesel.
- 1646UK history
Battle of Torrington, Devon: The last major battle of the First English Civil War.
Parliamentarian forces defeat Royalists in the Battle of Torrington, marking one of the final significant conflicts of the First English Civil War.
- 1699Religion
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 Holy Roman Emperor issues the first Leopoldine Diploma, granting Greek Catholic clergy equal rights to those of Roman Catholic priests in Transylvania.
- 1742UK history
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes British Prime Minister.
Spencer Compton, Earl of Wilmington, becomes Prime Minister of Great Britain, succeeding Sir Robert Walpole after his unprecedented 21-year tenure.
- 1796UK history
Colombo in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) falls to the British, completing their invasion of Ceylon.
The fall of Colombo marks the end of Dutch control and completes Britain's conquest of Ceylon.
- 1866UK history
Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington becomes British Secretary of State for War.
Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, becomes British Secretary of State for War at age 33.
- 1899Sports
Iceland's first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, is founded.
Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur becomes Iceland's first football club.
- 1918Politics
The Council of Lithuania unanimously adopts the Act of Independence, declaring Lithuania an independent state.
The Council of Lithuania adopts the Act of Independence, declaring the country a sovereign state.
- 1936Politics
The Popular Front wins the 1936 Spanish general election.
The Popular Front coalition wins the Spanish general election, marking the beginning of the Second Republic era.
- 2000Disaster
Emery Worldwide Airlines Flight 17 crashes near Sacramento Mather Airport in Rancho Cordova, California, killing all three aboard.
Emery Worldwide Airlines Flight 17 crashes shortly after takeoff from Sacramento Mather Airport in Rancho Cordova, California, killing all three crew members aboard.
- 2005Sports
The National Hockey League cancels the entire 2004-05 regular season and playoffs.
The National Hockey League cancels the entire regular season and playoffs due to a labor dispute.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 16
7 this date All birthdays
Ernst Haeckel
German biologist, physician, and philosopher
Ernst Haeckel, the German zoologist and naturalist who coined terms like ecology and phylum, mapped genealogical trees relating all life forms, and championed Darwin's work in Germany, was born today in 1834.
Born
1834
Died
1919
James Colosimo
Italian-American mob boss
1878 – 1920
June Brown
English actress
1927 – 2022
Carl Icahn
American businessman and investor
b. 1936 · 90
Adolfo Azcuna
Filipino lawyer and judge
b. 1939 · 87
James Ingram
American singer-songwriter and producer
1952 – 2019
Luc Bourdon
Canadian ice hockey player
1987 – 2008
Music
The number one songs on February 16
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Raindance"— Dave and Tems
- 2025"Messy"— Lola Young
- 2024"Stick Season"— Noah Kahan
- 2023"Flowers"— Miley Cyrus
- 2022"We Don't Talk About Bruno"— Carolina Gaitán , Mauro Castillo , Adassa , Rhenzy Feliz , Diane Guerrero and Stephanie Beatriz
- 2021"Drivers License"— Olivia Rodrigo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 16, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 16, 1936
The Popular Front wins the 1936 Spanish general election.
The Popular Front coalition wins the Spanish general election, marking the beginning of the Second Republic era.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of the Shining Star (Kim Jong Il's birthday) (North Korea)
International
The Day of the Shining Star (Korean: 광명성절) is a public holiday in North Korea falling on 16 February, the anniversary of the birth of the country's second leader, Kim Jong Il
Restoration of Lithuania's Statehood Day, celebrate the independence of Lithuania from Russia and Germany in 1918 (Lithuania)
International
The Act of Independence of Lithuania or the Act of February 16th, also the Lithuanian Resolution on Independence, was signed by the Council of Lithuania on February 16, 1918, proclaiming independence
Elizabeth Peratrovich Day (Alaska)
International
Elizabeth Peratrovich was an American civil rights activist, Grand President of the Alaska Native Sisterhood, and a Tlingit who worked for equality on behalf of Alaska Natives
❝
We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are.
— Adelle Davis · born February 16, 1904