KING TUT'S TOMB OPENED IN EGYPT
Thebes, Egypt (JFK+50) British archaeologist Howard Carter entered the last of four chambers of Egyptian King Tutankhamen's tomb 91 years ago today, February 16, 1923.
In the last chamber, Mr. Carter found the Boy King's sarcophagus.
Tutankhamen, who ruled Egypt around 1400 B.C., died in his teenage years.
Carter had searched in vain for five years when steps were uncovered by his team near the entrance of another tomb.
He first entered the tomb on November 26, 1922. King Tut's mummified body was discovered in a coffin of pure gold.
CASTRO SWORN IN 55 YEARS AGO TODAY
Havana, Cuba (JFK+50) After having driven dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile, Fidel Castro was sworn in 55 years ago today, February 16, 1959, as prime minister of Cuba.
Castro, who had a history of being anti-American, first failed in an attempt at a coup in 1953. He was serving a 15 year sentence in prison when, in 1955, Batista pardoned all political prisoners.
With his brother, Raul, and Argentine Marxist Che Guevara, another attempt to depose Batista was made but their small force was driven into the Sierra Maestra Mountains. There they waged guerrilla warfare until Batista was overthrown.
FORT DONELSON SURRENDERS
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Confederate General Gideon Pillow accepted terms of unconditional surrender from Federal General Ulysses S. Grant 152 years ago today, February 16, 1862.
Pillow's army at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River north of Nashville had been under siege for several days.
During the siege about 5000 Confederates were able to escape including cavalry led by Nathan Bedford Forrest.
When Pillow asked for terms, General Grant answered that no terms except "unconditional and immediate surrender" would be accepted.
DECATUR DESTROYS CAPTURED FRIGATE
Tripoli Harbor, North Africa (JFK+50) Lt. Stephen Decatur led a force of 74 men on a mission here in Tripoli harbor 210 years ago today, February 16, 1804, in the war with the "Barbary pirates".
The objective of the mission was to destroy the captured frigate, USS Philadelphia, so that the pirates would not be able to use it against American forces.
Disguised as Maltese sailors, Decatur's men were able to capture or kill the pirates on board the Philadelphia and then set it on fire.
Later in 1804, Decatur returned to Tripoli and became the hero of the "Battle of the Gunboats".
Thebes, Egypt (JFK+50) British archaeologist Howard Carter entered the last of four chambers of Egyptian King Tutankhamen's tomb 91 years ago today, February 16, 1923.
In the last chamber, Mr. Carter found the Boy King's sarcophagus.
Tutankhamen, who ruled Egypt around 1400 B.C., died in his teenage years.
Carter had searched in vain for five years when steps were uncovered by his team near the entrance of another tomb.
He first entered the tomb on November 26, 1922. King Tut's mummified body was discovered in a coffin of pure gold.
Howard Carter at work in Egypt
Havana, Cuba (JFK+50) After having driven dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile, Fidel Castro was sworn in 55 years ago today, February 16, 1959, as prime minister of Cuba.
Castro, who had a history of being anti-American, first failed in an attempt at a coup in 1953. He was serving a 15 year sentence in prison when, in 1955, Batista pardoned all political prisoners.
With his brother, Raul, and Argentine Marxist Che Guevara, another attempt to depose Batista was made but their small force was driven into the Sierra Maestra Mountains. There they waged guerrilla warfare until Batista was overthrown.
Che Guevara and Fidel Castro
FORT DONELSON SURRENDERS
Nashville, Tennessee (JFK+50) Confederate General Gideon Pillow accepted terms of unconditional surrender from Federal General Ulysses S. Grant 152 years ago today, February 16, 1862.
Pillow's army at Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River north of Nashville had been under siege for several days.
During the siege about 5000 Confederates were able to escape including cavalry led by Nathan Bedford Forrest.
When Pillow asked for terms, General Grant answered that no terms except "unconditional and immediate surrender" would be accepted.
Battle of Fort Donelson
February 16, 1862
DECATUR DESTROYS CAPTURED FRIGATE
Tripoli Harbor, North Africa (JFK+50) Lt. Stephen Decatur led a force of 74 men on a mission here in Tripoli harbor 210 years ago today, February 16, 1804, in the war with the "Barbary pirates".
The objective of the mission was to destroy the captured frigate, USS Philadelphia, so that the pirates would not be able to use it against American forces.
Disguised as Maltese sailors, Decatur's men were able to capture or kill the pirates on board the Philadelphia and then set it on fire.
Later in 1804, Decatur returned to Tripoli and became the hero of the "Battle of the Gunboats".
Stephen Decatur House
Washington, D.C.
Photo by John White
