FEBRUARY 1541
Lebna Dengel requested military assistance from Portugal after falling into trouble upon Ahmad ibn Ibrahim's conquests of Ethiopia. In February of 1541, 400 well-equipped Portuguese troops arrived led by Dom Christovao da Gama. Although Lebna Dengel had died a year earlier, the news of the arrival of the Portuguese helped to shake up Ahmad ibn Abrahm's army and later help Emperor Galawdewos, Lebna Dengel's son, to bring the fall of Ahmad ibn Abrham's 14 year reign (Pankhurst, R. 1998, 92).
14 FEBRUARY 1831
In the battle of Dabra Abbay, both Ras Mareyye Gugsa of Begemder, the Yajju lord, and Dajjach Subagadis Waldu of Agame were killed. The battle was won by Mareyye's troops. The battle marked the end of Tigrean autonomy in the nineteenth century. (Zewde, B. 2001, 12)
10 FEBRUARY 1855
Tewodros II was crowned king of kings of Ethiopia after he defeated the last important dejazmach of the Zamana Masafent. Taking the regal name of Tewodros I (ruled from 1412-14-13), the new emperor laid claim national myth of Tewodros I, who again and again redistributed land to the poor and who became to be know as "hidden Mandi" who would return to bring justice to the people (Gabre-Sellassie 1975, 13-16).
11 FEBRUARY 1977
Lieutenant-Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam becomes Ethiopia's head of state.
