The Persian Gulf War began with US and British forces attacking Iraq after the UN deadline expired. Other events include Prohibition in the US, outlawing of Catholicism in England, publication of Don Quixote, Hitler moving into the Fuhrerbunker, Soyuz spaceships docking in space, the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster, the Shah of Iran fleeing, Buckminster Fuller receiving an award, and the Medici family becoming official bankers of the papacy.
The Persian Gulf War begins. (1991) After the United Nations deadline for Iraq’s withdrawal from Kuwait expired at midnight, US and British forces launched the first attacks on the morning of the 16th. The war lasted just over a month and Kuwait itself he was released in four days.
Prohibition began in the United States. (1919) The 18th amendment, which prohibited the sale and manufacture of alcohol in the United States, was ratified on this day. While it was intended to reduce alcohol-related crime in America, it actually helped organized crime thrive. The amendment was repealed four years later and the movement was generally regarded as a failure.
The British Parliament has outlawed Roman Catholicism. (1581) Heavily influenced by Elizabeth I, Parliament banned Catholicism throughout England. The move was popular at the time because Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I’s predecessor, persecuted Protestants in an attempt to re-establish Catholicism in Britain.
The first book of “Don Quixote” was published in Madrid. (1605) Widely considered the first novel, Cervantes’ Don Quixote was actually published in two volumes over the course of a decade. It is often credited as one of the most influential works of literature ever written.
Adolf Hitler moved into the Fuhrerbunker. (1945) he Stayed in the bunker for over 100 days before committing suicide. The shelter was completely self-contained and was also the site of his marriage to Eva Braun. Shortly after the two wed in April, they committed suicide together.
Two USSR Soyuz spaceships became the first ships to dock and exchange personnel in space. (1969) The Soyuz program was one of the first series of manned spaceflights and are still used for transport to and from the International Space Station.
The Columbia Space Shuttle has taken off on its last mission. (2003) The shuttle’s last mission ended in tragedy when it disintegrated upon reentry, killing all crew members. The disaster shocked the nation and set the space shuttle program back.
The Shah of Iran fled Iran with his family. (1979) Iran’s last monarch, the Shah, was notorious for his controversial policies, which included holding some 2,000 political prisoners. Eventually he was overthrown in a revolution that led to Iran becoming an Islamic republic.
Architect, scientist and writer, Buckminster Fuller was awarded the Gold Medal by the American Institute of Architects. (1970) Fuller was perhaps best known for developing the geodesic dome structure, which is now commonly used for military radar stations and the “Spaceship Earth” dome at Epcot.
The Medici family was established as the official bankers of the papacy. (1412) The Medici were an extremely influential family politically in Florence and throughout Europe. They were also great patrons of the arts and patronized Michelangelo, Donatello and Leonardo da Vinci. The family remained tied to the papacy for some centuries, prompting conspiracy theories about the full extent of their power.
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