Events for February 16

February 16, 1768

The Octennial Act limits Irish parliaments life to eight years

Until 1768 the Irish Parliament existed for the lifetime of the king and general elections were therefore infrequent. A radical campaign in the 1760s demanded a Septennial Act and the institution of habeas corpus. In 1768 the English government gave way and accepted an Octennial Act, though refusing habeas corpus

February 16, 1992

George Mann MacBeth, Journalist and poet, died.

February 16, 1859

Thomas Edward Ellis, Welsh Nationalist, born

February 16, 1902

Birth of singer Delia Murphy in Ardroe, Claremorris, Co. Mayo