1. On February 16, 1861, delegates from Mississippi's secession convention met at the state capitol in Jackson and voted unanimously to secede from the United States, becoming the second state to do so. This decision paved the way for the formation of the Confederate States of America and the outbreak of the Civil War.

2. On February 16, 1930, blues musician Johnny Young was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Young was known for his signature slide guitar style and recorded several albums throughout his career, including "Johnny Young's South Side Blues Band."

3. On February 16, 1992, a tornado outbreak struck central Mississippi, killing 12 people and causing extensive damage to homes and businesses. The tornadoes were part of a larger outbreak that affected several southern states and resulted in more than 20 fatalities overall.

4. On February 16, 2012, the Mississippi House of Representatives passed a bill allowing public schools to create policies permitting student-led prayer and other religious activities. Critics argued that the bill violated the separation of church and state and could lead to lawsuits against the schools.

5. On February 16, 2018, the state of Mississippi celebrated its bicentennial, marking 200 years since it became the 20th state to join the Union. Festivities were held throughout the state to commemorate the occasion, including parades, concerts, and historical reenactments.