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.
On this day
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.
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
Ptolemy established the Nabonassar Era, marking a pivotal point for historians to date ancient events.
Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta Emperor, marking the beginning of a powerful dynasty.
Valentinian I is proclaimed emperor of the Western Roman Empire in Rome.
Solomon's royal army defeats Géza's forces in the Battle of Kemej, securing Solomon's rule as King of Hungary.
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.
King Thado Minbya founded the Ava Kingdom and its royal city, Inwa.
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.
Galileo Galilei is forbidden by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the heliocentric theory.
Moro pirates destroy the British East India Company's factory on Balambangan Island.
The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, seat of the Danish royal family and government, is destroyed by fire.
Japan and Korea sign the Treaty of Kangwha, granting Japan extraterritorial rights in Korea and opening three Korean ports to Japanese trade.
Egypt and Israel establish full diplomatic relations, completing the normalization process begun with the Camp David Accords.
Born today
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.
English playwright, poet and translator
1564 – 1593
American surgeon, co-created Corn flakes
1852 – 1943
Barbadian cricketer and referee
1925 – 2020
American singer-songwriter and pianist
1928 – 2017
South Korean physician, academic, and politician
b. 1962 · 64
South African-English cricketer
b. 1982 · 44
Music
🇬🇧 #1 on February 26, 1981
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
Also #1 on this day
Film & TV
Box-office #1
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
February 26, 1982
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the storyFebruary 26, 1935
Robert Watson-Watt demonstrates radar technology near Daventry, paving the way for its use in the United Kingdom.
Read the storyToday is also
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
International
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