This Day in History: February 16

1659: First known cheque written (£400), now on display at Westminster Abbey

The world's first known cheque was written in 1659 for the sum of £400. It was drawn on Messrs Morris and Clayton, City of London scriveners, and made payable to a Mr Delboe for a loan. This historic document is now on display at Westminster Abbey.

1840: American Charles Wilkes discovers Shackleton Ice Shelf, Antarctica

In 1840, American naval officer and explorer Charles Wilkes discovered the Shackleton Ice Shelf in Antarctica. The shelf is now named after Sir Ernest Shackleton, who explored the region more extensively in the early 20th century.

1923: Howard Carter opens the inner burial chamber of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb and finds the sarcophagus

In 1923, British archaeologist Howard Carter opened the inner burial chamber of Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun's tomb and discovered the sarcophagus. The discovery is considered one of the most significant archaeological finds of the 20th century.

1959: Fidel Castro becomes the 16th Prime Minister of Cuba after overthrowing Fulgencio Batista

In 1959, Fidel Castro became the 16th Prime Minister of Cuba after leading a revolution that overthrew the government of Fulgencio Batista. Castro's rise to power marked the beginning of a communist regime in Cuba that lasted for decades.

1985: Hezbollah is founded

Hezbollah is a political party and militant group based in Lebanon. It was founded in 1985 and is considered a terrorist organization by several western countries.

1987: The first trial against John Demjanjuk begins in Jerusalem

In 1987, John Demjanjuk, a Ukrainian-American, was falsely accused of being a particularly brutal Nazi guard known as "Ivan the Terrible." In a separate trial in 2011, he was convicted by a German criminal court as an accessory to the murder of 27,900 people.

2005: The Kyoto Protocol comes into force following its ratification by Russia committing industrialized nations to limit and reduce greenhouse gases

The Kyoto Protocol is an international agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It was ratified by 191 countries in 2005, but notably excluded the United States. The protocol commits industrialized nations to limit and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in order to mitigate the effects of climate change.