Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
February 26 Thursday, February 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 26 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
3
Holidays
1606
World history 420 years ago
The Janszoon voyage of 1605-06 becomes the first European expedition to set foot on Australia, although it is mistaken as a part of New Guinea.
Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon and his crew become the first Europeans to land on Australia, though they believe the coast to be part of New Guinea.
History
What happened on February 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -747Science
According to Ptolemy, the epoch (origin) of the Nabonassar Era began at noon on this date. Historians use this to establish the modern BC chronology for dating historic events.
Ptolemy established the Nabonassar Era, marking a pivotal point for historians to date ancient events.
- 320World history
Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta Emperor.
Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta Emperor, marking the beginning of a powerful dynasty.
- 364World history
Valentinian I is proclaimed Roman Emperor.
Valentinian I is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Empire in Rome.
- 1074War
Battle of Kemej: The royal army of Solomon, King of Hungary defeats the force of his rebellious cousin Duke Géza.
Solomon's royal army defeats Géza's forces in the Battle of Kemej, securing Solomon's rule as King of Hungary.
- 1266European history
Battle of Benevento: An army led by Charles, Count of Anjou, defeats a combined German and Sicilian force led by Manfred, King of Sicily. Manfred is killed in the battle and Pope Clement IV invests Charles as king of Sicily and Naples.
Charles, Count of Anjou, defeats a German-Sicilian force led by King Manfred of Sicily, killing him; Pope Clement IV then crowns Charles king of Sicily and Naples.
- 1365Royalty
The Ava Kingdom and the royal city of Ava (Inwa) were founded by King Thado Minbya.
King Thado Minbya founded the Ava Kingdom and its royal city, Inwa.
- 1606World history
The Janszoon voyage of 1605-06 becomes the first European expedition to set foot on Australia, although it is mistaken as a part of New Guinea.
Dutch navigator Willem Janszoon and his crew become the first Europeans to land on Australia, though they believe the coast to be part of New Guinea.
- 1616Science
Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.
Galileo Galilei is forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the heliocentric theory.
- 1775UK history
The British East India Company factory on Balambangan Island is destroyed by Moro pirates.
Moro pirates destroy the British East India Company's factory on Balambangan Island.
- 1794European history
The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen burns down.
The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, seat of the Danish royal family and government, is destroyed by fire.
- 1876World history
Japan and Korea sign the Treaty of Kangwha, which grants Japanese citizens extraterritoriality rights in Korea, opens three Korean ports to Japanese trade, and ends Korea's status as a tributary state of Qing dynasty China.
Japan and Korea sign the Treaty of Kangwha, granting Japan extraterritorial rights in Korea and opening three Korean ports to Japanese trade.
- 1980World history
Egypt and Israel establish full diplomatic relations.
Egypt and Israel establish full diplomatic relations, completing the normalization process begun with the Camp David Accords.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 26
7 this date All birthdays
Bill Johnston
Australian cricketer and businessman
Bill Johnston, the Australian left-arm pace bowler who was a key member of Don Bradman's undefeated 1948 Invincibles tour, was born today in 1922.
Born
1922
Died
2007
Christopher Marlowe
English playwright, poet and translator
1564 – 1593
John Harvey Kellogg
American surgeon, co-created Corn flakes
1852 – 1943
Everton Weekes
Barbadian cricketer and referee
1925 – 2020
Fats Domino
American singer-songwriter and pianist
1928 – 2017
Ahn Cheol-soo
South Korean physician, academic, and politician
b. 1962 · 64
Matt Prior
South African-English cricketer
b. 1982 · 44
Music
The number one songs on February 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 26, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 26, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 26, 1935
Robert Watson-Watt carries out a demonstration near Daventry which leads directly to the development of radar in the United Kingdom.
Robert Watson-Watt demonstrates radar technology near Daventry, paving the way for its use in the United Kingdom.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre (Azerbaijan)
International
The Khojaly massacre was the mass killing of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces and the 366th CIS regiment in the town of Khojaly on 26 February 1992
Liberation Day (Kuwait)
International
Saviours' Day (Nation of Islam)
International
Saviours' Day is a holiday of the Nation of Islam commemorating the birth of its founder, Master Wallace Fard Muhammad, officially stated to be February 26, 1877