Today in History for 16th February 2024

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Historical Events

1854 - Franz Liszt's symphony "Orpheus" premieres
1903 - -59°F (-51°C), Pokegama Dam, Minnesota (state record)
1914 - 1st airplane flight from LA to SF
1943 - Withdrawing Afrika Korps reaches Mareth-line in North Africa
2005 - 2004-05 NHL season is cancelled by Commissioner Gary Bettman; first time a North American professional sports league has called off a season due to labor dispute
2018 - Swiss cross country skier Dario Cologna wins 4th career Olympic gold medal in the 15k freestyle in Pyeongchang; wins event in Vancouver (2010), and 15k classical and 30k skiathlon in Sochi (2014)

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Famous Birthdays

1620 - Frederick William, Great Elector, ruler of Brandenburg-Prussia (1640-88), born in Berlin (d. 1688)
1916 - Charlie Fowlkes, American baritone saxophonist (Count Basie Orchestra, 1953-80), born in New York City (d. 1980)
1931 - George E. Sangmeister, American politician (Rep-D-Illinois 1989-95), born in Frankfort, Illinois (d. 2007)
1938 - John Corigliano, American composer (Fern Hill, Ghosts of Versailles), born in New York City
1954 - Margaux Hemingway, actress (Lipstick, They Call Me Bruce), born in Portland, Oregon
1954 - Michael Holding, West Indian cricket fast bowler (60 Tests, 249 wickets, BB 8/92; Jamaica, Derbyshire CCC, Lancashire CCC) and broadcaster (Sky Sports), born in Kingston, Jamaica

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Famous Deaths

1279 - Afonso III, King of Portugal (1248-79), dies at 68
1560 - Jean du Bellay, French Catholic cardinal and diplomat
1993 - Donald Phelps, American actor (Ghost Ship), dies of AIDS at 61
1993 - Richard Salant, news president (CBS-60 Minutes), dies at 78
2018 - Hubert Doggart, English cricket batsman (2 Tests; Cambridge University CC, Sussex CCC) and executive (President MCC 1981–82), dies at 92
2020 - Barry Hulshoff, Dutch soccer defender (14 caps; European Cup 1971, 72, 73; Ajax Amsterdam), dies at 73

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