This Day In European History

16th February

Events
600: Pope Gregory the Great supposedly decrees that 'God Bless You' is the proper response to someone sneezing.
1559: The Papacy issues a bull called Cum Ex Apostolatus, supporting the removal from power of all heretic sovereigns (in practice, it means Protestants).
1659: The first cheque is drawn on a British bank.
1801: William Pitt the Younger resigns as Prime Minister.
1873: Following the abdication of King Amadeo I, Spain is proclaimed a republic.

Births
1519: Gaspard II de Coligny, French Huguenot leader.
1620: Frederick William, 'the Great' Elector of Brandenburg.
1740: Giambattista Bodoni, Italian printer.
1761: Charles Pichegru, French general.
1834: Ernst Haeckel, German zoologist.
1876: George Macualay Trevelyan, English historian.
1906: Vera Menchik, Russian World Chess Champion.

Deaths
1804 Charles Pichegru, French general.

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