This Day in History for February 16 – Castro Assumes Power and More
Here’s a look at some interesting events that took place on this day in history:
1923 – English archaeologist Howard Carter enters the sealed burial chamber of the ancient Egyptian ruler King Tutankhamen (More info)
1937 – Wallace H. Carothers receives a US patent for nylon (More info)
1959 – Fidel Castro is sworn in as prime minister of Cuba after leading a guerrilla campaign that forced right-wing dictator Fulgencio Batista into exile (More info)
1968 – In Haleyville, Alabama, the first 911 emergency telephone system goes into service (More info)
1980 - At the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, American speed skater Eric Heiden captured the second of five gold medals, while the U.S. hockey team beat Norway 5-1.
1993 - A Norwegian bandit made off with $5,000 from an Oslo bank, only to be captured two hours later when he returned and tried to deposit the money in a new account at the same bank! He told police he was afraid of being robbed and wanted to put the money someplace safe.
1997 – Jeff Gordon claims his first Daytona 500 victory at the age of 25, becoming the youngest winner in the history of the legendary race (More info)
1998 - A driver ticketed in Great Falls, Montana, for doing 104 miles an hour in a 45 mile an hour zone told police he had just washed his truck and was trying to dry it off. He was cited for reckless driving.