On This Day: February 16th

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

American Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant captures Fort Donelson, Tennessee.

First Barbary War: Stephen Decatur leads a raid to burn the pirate-held frigate USS Philadelphia.

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

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

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.

Battle of Torrington, Devon: The last major battle of the First English Civil War.

Dutch forces led by Hendrick Lonck capture Olinda in what was to become part of Dutch Brazil.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Livonian Order in the Battle of Karuse.

Andrew of Longjumeau is dispatched by Louis IX of France as his ambassador to meet with the Khagan of the Mongol Empire.