1. On February 16, 1923, the Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team played their first game at the newly constructed McDonough Gymnasium. The Hoyas defeated the New York University Violets 34-17.

2. In 1868, the United States Senate convened as a court of impeachment for the trial of President Andrew Johnson. Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives earlier that year, and the Senate ultimately acquitted him.

3. The Washington Monument, which stands at 555 feet tall, was completed on February 21, 1885. However, construction of the monument frequently stalled due to lack of funding and the Civil War. On February 16, 1879, the obelisk had only risen to 190 feet.

4. On February 16, 1938, a DC-3 flight from Washington National Airport crashed near Lovettsville, Virginia, killing all 11 passengers and crew members on board. Among the passengers were several prominent politicians and government officials, including the Secretary of Commerce and the head of the Civil Aeronautics Authority.

5. February 16 is also National Innovation Day, a day to celebrate innovative ideas and the people behind them. In Washington, DC, the day is marked with events and presentations that showcase local entrepreneurs and startups.