On this day: 15 February

Archaeologists discover the tomb of Kha and Merit in Egypt

A team of Italian archaeologists led by Ernesto Schiaparelli found the tomb of Kha and his wife, Merit, in Egypt. Kha was a foreman in charge of the workers who built royal tombs for three pharaohs, including Amenhotep III. The tomb lies in the cemetery of Deir el-Medina, the village where these tomb-builders lived. It dates from the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt.

Greece adopts the Gregorian calendar, the last in Europe to do so

Greece adopted the Gregorian calendar for everyday use, the last European country to do so. This calendar was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII to replace the older Julian calendar. It spaces out leap years a little differently, so each year better matches Earth's journey around the Sun. It is now used in most parts of the world.

Archaeologists begin digging in the cave of the Dead Sea Scrolls

British archaeologist Gerald Lankester Harding and French scholar Roland de Vaux began excavating Cave 1 at Qumran, near the Dead Sea. This was the cave where the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls had been found. The scrolls are ancient Jewish writings, made between the 3rd century BC and the 1st century AD. They include the oldest surviving copies of whole books of the Bible.

Canada raises its new Maple Leaf flag

Canada adopted its red and white Maple Leaf flag, which has an 11-pointed red maple leaf in the middle. It replaced the Canadian Red Ensign, a flag with the British Union Jack in its corner. The Maple Leaf is now the best-known symbol of Canada. Every year, 15 February is marked as National Flag of Canada Day.

Scientists publish the first draft of the human genome

The first draft of the complete human genome was published in the British science journal Nature. The human genome is the complete set of human DNA, made up of more than three billion small units. The work came from the Human Genome Project, the world's largest shared biology project. Scientists in the USA, the UK and other countries took part.

The Codex Theodosianus, a compilation of the laws of the Roman Empire, was published.

Khosrau II is crowned king of Persia.

At an assembly at Pavia of Lombard nobles, Arduin of Ivrea is restored to his domains and crowned King of Italy.

Pope Paschal II issued the papal bull Pie postulatio voluntatis, formally recognising the establishment of the Knights Hospitaller.

Ferdinand III becomes Holy Roman Emperor.

Constantin Cantemir, Prince of Moldavia, and the Holy Roman Empire sign a secret treaty in Sibiu, stipulating that Moldavia would support the actions led by the House of Habsburg against the Ottoman Empire.

Prussia, Saxony and the Habsburg monarchy signed the Treaty of Hubertusburg, ending the Third Silesian War.

The city of St. Louis is established in Spanish Louisiana (now in Missouri, USA).

The Roman Republic is proclaimed after Louis-Alexandre Berthier, a general of Napoleon, had invaded the city of Rome five days earlier.

James McBrien made the first official discovery of gold in Australia at Fish River in New South Wales.

Serbia's Sretenje Constitution briefly comes into effect.

The Helsinki Cathedral (known as St. Nicholas' Church at time) is officially inaugurated in Helsinki, Finland.

American Civil War: Confederates commanded by Brig. Gen. John B. Floyd attack General Ulysses S. Grant's Union forces besieging Fort Donelson in Tennessee. Unable to break the fort's encirclement, the Confederates surrender the following day.

Stevens Institute of Technology is founded in New Jersey, US, and offers the first Bachelor of Engineering degree in mechanical engineering.

First issue of the Bulletin de la Fédération jurassienne, the first or one of the first anarchist newspapers.

Women's rights: US President Rutherford B. Hayes signs a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Tsar Nicholas II of Russia issues a declaration known as the February Manifesto, which reduces the autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland, thus beginning the first period of oppression.

Japan and the United States signed a gentleman's agreement whereby the former would not permit further emigration to the U.S., while the latter would not limit Japanese immigration.

The 1925 serum run to Nome: The second delivery of serum arrives in Nome, Alaska.

The official premiere of Paul Creston's Saxophone Sonata took place at the Carnegie Chamber Hall, with saxophonist Cecil Leeson, who commissioned the work, and Creston on piano.

World War II: The assault on Monte Cassino, Italy, begins.

World War II: The Narva Offensive begins.

Canada and the United States agree to construct the Distant Early Warning Line, a system of radar stations in the far northern Arctic regions of Canada and Alaska.

José María Velasco Ibarra, serving as President of Ecuador for the fifth time, is overthrown by the military for the fourth time.

Sound recordings are granted U.S. federal copyright protection for the first time.

The first constitution since the Cuban Revolution, providing for a system of government and law based on those of the Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc countries, was adopted by a national referendum.

Don Dunstan (pictured) resigned as Premier of South Australia, ending a decade of sweeping social liberalisation.

Soviet–Afghan War: The Soviet Union officially announces that all of its troops have left Afghanistan.

The Visegrád Group, establishing cooperation to move toward free-market systems, is signed by the leaders of Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland.

Then-Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chrétien applies a chokehold to protester Bill Clennett, an incident later named the Shawinigan Handshake.

In one of the largest anti-war rallies in history, millions around the world in approximately 800 cities took part in protests against the impending invasion of Iraq.

The last Ariane 4 rocket is launched from the Guiana Space Centre, carrying Intelsat 907.

Following nationwide protests, Hailemariam Desalegn announced his resignation as prime minister of Ethiopia, remaining in post as a caretaker until he was succeeded by Abiy Ahmed.