February 26 has witnessed a remarkable range of historical events across centuries. From the baptism of playwright Christopher Marlowe in 1564 to Napoleon’s daring escape from Elba in 1815, this date holds significant milestones. It also marks cultural and scientific breakthroughs, alongside notable births and deaths. What other pivotal moments shaped this day? Uncover the intriguing tapestry of history that unfolds on February 26.
History
Major Historical Events
1564 – Christopher Marlowe’s Baptism: On this day, the renowned English playwright and poet Christopher Marlowe was baptized in Canterbury, England.
Known for his influential works such as “Doctor Faustus,” Marlowe played a significant role in shaping Elizabethan drama and is often considered a contemporary of William Shakespeare.
1815 – Napoleon Escapes from Elba: Napoleon Bonaparte, the former French Emperor, escaped from his exile on the island of Elba on February 26, 1815.
This daring escape marked the beginning of his “Hundred Days” campaign, a brief period of restored power before his ultimate defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
1919 – Grand Canyon National Park Established: On February 26, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill establishing the Grand Canyon as a national park in Arizona, United States.
This iconic natural wonder, known for its vast size and stunning geological formations, became a protected area to preserve its beauty for future generations.
1935 – RADAR First Demonstrated: Scottish engineer Robert Watson-Watt demonstrated the first practical use of RADAR (Radio Detection and Ranging) on this day in 1935.
His experiment, conducted in England, detected an aircraft using radio waves, paving the way for a technology that would become critical during World War II.
1993 – World Trade Center Bombing: On February 26, 1993, a truck bomb detonated in the underground parking garage of the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
The attack, carried out by terrorists linked to extremist groups, killed six people and injured over a thousand, marking one of the first major terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.
Famous Birthdays
1802 – Victor Hugo: The celebrated French author Victor Hugo was born on February 26, 1802, in Besançon, France.
Known for masterpieces like “Les Misérables” and “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame,” Hugo’s works have left an indelible mark on literature and social reform.
1829 – Levi Strauss: German-American businessman Levi Strauss, the founder of the iconic denim brand Levi Strauss & Co., was born on this day in 1829 in Buttenheim, Bavaria.
His invention of blue jeans revolutionized fashion and became a symbol of American culture.
1846 – Buffalo Bill Cody: William Frederick Cody, better known as Buffalo Bill, was born on February 26, 1846, in Le Claire, Iowa.
A legendary showman and frontiersman, he became famous for his Wild West shows that showcased the American frontier to audiences worldwide.
1954 – Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: The current President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was born on this day in 1954 in Istanbul.
A prominent political figure, Erdoğan has been a dominant force in Turkish politics since the early 2000s, serving as both Prime Minister and President.
Notable Deaths
1903 – Richard Jordan Gatling: American inventor Richard Jordan Gatling, best known for creating the Gatling gun, the first successful machine gun, passed away on February 26, 1903, in New York City.
His invention had a profound impact on warfare technology.
1966 – Vinayak Damodar Savarkar: Indian independence activist and political leader Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, often referred to as Veer Savarkar, died on this day in 1966 in Bombay (now Mumbai).
He was a key figure in the Hindu nationalist movement and an advocate for Indian independence from British rule.
1981 – Howard Hanson: American composer, conductor, and educator Howard Hanson passed away on February 26, 1981.
Known for his contributions to American classical music, Hanson’s works, including his Symphony No. 2, remain influential in the orchestral repertoire.
Today in Music History
1955 – Billboard’s First Top 100 Chart: On February 26, 1955, Billboard magazine published its first complete Top 100 chart, combining sales, airplay, and jukebox plays to rank popular songs in the United States.
This chart became a cornerstone of the music industry, influencing how music success was measured.
1966 – The Beatles Begin Recording “Taxman”: On this day in 1966, The Beatles started recording George Harrison’s song “Taxman” at EMI Studios in London.
The track, later featured on their album “Revolver,” is known for its sharp critique of high taxation rates in the UK at the time.
1987 – First Grammy for Best Rap Performance: On February 26, 1987, the Grammy Awards introduced the category of Best Rap Performance, marking a significant milestone in recognizing hip-hop as a mainstream genre.
The inaugural award was won by Run-D.M.C. for their album “Raising Hell.”
Today in Sports History
1906 – Tommy Burns Wins Heavyweight Title: On February 26, 1906, Canadian boxer Tommy Burns defeated Marvin Hart to claim the World Heavyweight Boxing Championship in Los Angeles.
Burns held the title for two years, defending it against numerous challengers.
1983 – Michael Jordan’s Iconic Dunk: On this day in 1983, Michael Jordan, then a college player at the University of North Carolina, performed a memorable slam dunk during a game against Virginia.
This moment foreshadowed his future dominance in the NBA and his reputation for spectacular plays.
Today in Military and Naval History
1815 – Napoleon’s Escape from Elba: As mentioned earlier, on February 26, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte escaped from his exile on the island of Elba, initiating a sequence of military events known as the Hundred Days.
His return to France briefly restored his power before his final defeat.
1917 – First Jazz Record Released: While not strictly military, on February 26, 1917, the Original Dixieland Jass Band recorded the first commercially released jazz record in New York.
Jazz music later became a significant cultural export during wartime, influencing soldiers and civilians alike during World War I and beyond.
1945 – Battle of Iwo Jima Continues: On this day in 1945, during the intense Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II, U.S. Marines continued their fight to secure the island against Japanese forces.
The battle, already marked by the iconic flag-raising on Mount Suribachi three days prior, remained a critical and brutal campaign in the Pacific Theater.
Today in Tech and Science History
1935 – First RADAR Demonstration: As previously noted, on February 26, 1935, Robert Watson-Watt conducted the first successful demonstration of RADAR in England.
This breakthrough technology revolutionized air defense and navigation, playing a crucial role in modern warfare and aviation.
1991 – First Web Browser Introduced: On this day in 1991, Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web, introduced the first web browser at CERN in Switzerland.
This software allowed users to view and navigate web pages, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the internet.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1802 – Victor Hugo’s Birth: As highlighted earlier, French literary giant Victor Hugo was born on February 26, 1802.
His novels and poetry not only shaped Romanticism but also influenced social and political thought in 19th-century Europe.
1920 – The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari Premieres: On this day in 1920, the German expressionist film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” premiered in Berlin.
Directed by Robert Wiene, this silent horror film is considered a landmark in cinema history for its innovative visual style and storytelling.
1951 – 22nd Amendment Ratified: On February 26, 1951, the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, limiting presidents to two terms in office.
This significant political change was spurred by Franklin D. Roosevelt’s unprecedented four-term presidency and reshaped American governance.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1909 – Kinemacolor Debuts: On February 26, 1909, Kinemacolor, the first successful color motion picture process, was demonstrated in London.
While groundbreaking, early audiences found the flickering two-color system odd, often leading to unintended laughter at serious films due to the strange visual effects.
1932 – Johnny Cash’s Birth: Though not inherently funny, country music legend Johnny Cash was born on this day in 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas.
Known as the “Man in Black,” Cash once humorously claimed he wore black because he couldn’t find anything else clean, adding a lighthearted quirk to his iconic image.
Today in History for Kids
1919 – Grand Canyon Becomes a National Park: On February 26, 1919, the Grand Canyon in Arizona was made a national park, which means it’s a special place protected by the government.
Kids can imagine a huge, colorful canyon carved by a river over millions of years, now a spot for families to hike and explore.
1935 – RADAR Invention Showed Off: A super-smart scientist named Robert Watson-Watt showed the world how to use RADAR on this day in 1935.
It’s like a magic tool that uses radio waves to find airplanes or ships, helping keep people safe during wars and even guiding planes today.
1954 – A Future Leader is Born: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who grew up to be the leader of Turkey, was born on February 26, 1954.
Kids can think of him as someone who makes big decisions for a whole country, kind of like being the captain of a giant team.
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
1616 – Galileo’s Warning from the Church: On February 26, 1616, the Catholic Church warned astronomer Galileo Galilei to abandon his support for the heliocentric theory, which stated that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
This event marked a significant clash between science and religion during the Renaissance.
1848 – Second French Republic Proclaimed: On this day in 1848, the Second French Republic was officially proclaimed after the abdication of King Louis Philippe.
This political shift came amid widespread revolutionary movements across Europe, reflecting a push for democratic reforms.
1929 – Grand Teton National Park Established: On February 26, 1929, Grand Teton National Park was established in Wyoming, USA.
Known for its dramatic mountain peaks and pristine lakes, the park remains a treasure of natural beauty and a haven for wildlife.
1971 – U.N. Declares Equinoxes as Earth Day: On February 26, 1971, U.N. Secretary-General U Thant signed a proclamation designating the vernal and autumnal equinoxes as Earth Day, encouraging global awareness of environmental issues.
This initiative laid the groundwork for modern environmental movements.