What Happened on February 16?

February 16 is when archaeologist Howard Carter opened King Tut's burial chamber — revealing gold treasures untouched for over 3,000 years!

1923 — Howard Carter opens King Tut's burial chamber

After five years of searching, Howard Carter opened the sealed doorway to Tutankhamun's burial chamber — the only pharaoh's tomb ever found nearly intact. Read the full story →
1937 — Nylon patented — the world's first synthetic fiber

DuPont chemist Wallace Carothers received the patent for nylon, a lab-made fiber so useful it first appeared in toothbrushes, then took America by storm as stockings. Read the full story →
1959 — Fidel Castro sworn in as Cuba's prime minister

Six weeks after dictator Batista fled Cuba, revolutionary leader Fidel Castro formally took power as prime minister — beginning decades that reshaped Cuba and Cold War politics. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

John McEnroe (1959)

National Almond Day