January 26

Events

661day.year

The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.

Ali, the last Rashidun caliph, is assassinated, marking the end of the Rashidun Caliphate.
On January 26, 661, Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth Rashidun caliph and a prominent figure in early Islam, was assassinated in the Great Mosque of Kufa. His death effectively brought the Rashidun Caliphate to an end, paving the way for the establishment of the Umayyad Caliphate. Ali's rule had been marked by internal division and conflict, including the First Fitna civil war. His assassination by the Kharijite Ibn Muljam became a pivotal moment in Islamic history. The transition ushered in new dynastic rule under Muawiya I, reshaping the political landscape of the Middle East. Ali is revered in Shia Islam as the first Imam, and his legacy continues to influence Muslim theology and sectarian identity today.
661 Rashidun Caliphate assassination of Ali
1531day.year

The 6.4–7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people.

A powerful earthquake strikes Lisbon in 1531, causing widespread devastation and killing around thirty thousand people.
On January 26, 1531, Lisbon was rocked by a catastrophic earthquake estimated between 6.4 and 7.1 in magnitude. The tremor devastated the city’s buildings, including churches and palaces, sending panicked residents into the streets. Tsunamis and aftershocks compounded the destruction, hampering rescue efforts. Contemporary accounts describe houses collapsing and fires breaking out, leading to tens of thousands of fatalities. Although precise casualty figures vary, historians estimate around thirty thousand lives were lost. The disaster prompted significant rebuilding and influenced seismic studies centuries later.
1531 Mw Lisbon earthquake
1564day.year

The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

The Council of Trent formally defines doctrinal differences between Roman Catholicism and emerging Protestant movements.
On January 26, 1564, the Council of Trent issued decrees clarifying key theological and liturgical positions of the Roman Catholic Church in response to Protestant Reformation challenges. The pronouncements outlined distinctions on topics such as the authority of Scripture versus Church tradition, the nature of the Eucharist, and the role of justification in salvation. By codifying these doctrines, the Council sought to counter Protestant critiques and unify Catholic teaching across Europe. The decisions also initiated reforms in clerical discipline and the administration of sacraments. This milestone deepened the divide between Catholic and Protestant communities, shaping the religious landscape for centuries. The Council’s legacy endures in modern Catholic theology and its ongoing ecumenical dialogues.
1564 Council of Trent Roman Catholicism Protestantism
1564day.year

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia in the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania secures a decisive victory over the Tsardom of Russia at the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War.
On January 26, 1564, near the Ula River, forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania engaged and defeated a Russian army under Tsardom of Russia during the Livonian War. Led by Hetman Mikołaj Radziwiłł, the Lithuanian troops utilized maneuver tactics to outflank and rout the Russian forces. The victory disrupted Russian advances in the Baltic region and bolstered Polish-Lithuanian influence. The battle showcased the strategic importance of light cavalry and flexible formations in Renaissance-era warfare. Despite being outnumbered, the Lithuanians’ knowledge of the terrain and disciplined command proved decisive. This outcome temporarily halted Russian expansion westward and became celebrated in Polish-Lithuanian military history.
1564 Grand Duchy of Lithuania Tsardom of Russia Battle of Ula Livonian War
1699day.year

For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers.

Under the Treaty of Karlowitz on January 26, 1699, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes key territories to Christian European powers for the first time.
On January 26, 1699, the Treaty of Karlowitz was signed, marking the Ottoman Empire’s first major territorial concessions to the Holy League of Christian powers. After their defeat at the Battle of Zenta, Ottomans relinquished Hungary, Transylvania, and parts of Croatia and Slovenia. The treaty signified a shift in European balance of power, ending Ottoman dominance in Central Europe. It also laid groundwork for the Austro-Ottoman frontier that would persist for centuries. The agreement included provisions for trade rights and religious protections for Christian subjects within Ottoman lands. This event is regarded as a turning point in Ottoman-European relations, initiating gradual imperial contraction.
1699 Ottoman Empire cedes territory
1700day.year

The 8.7–9.2 Mw Cascadia earthquake takes place off the west coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records.

A massive magnitude 8.7–9.2 earthquake strikes the Cascadia Subduction Zone, its effects documented by Japanese coastal records.
In 1700, on January 26, a colossal earthquake estimated between 8.7 and 9.2 in magnitude occurred along the Cascadia Subduction Zone off North America’s Pacific Northwest. No written records exist locally, but tsunami waves crossed the Pacific and were recorded in Japan on the same date, linking the events. Geologists have since correlated sediment layers and tree-ring data in Oregon and Washington to date the quake. The disaster likely caused widespread coastal landslides and severe shaking that reshaped estuaries and shorelines. Modern investigations of ghost forests and submerged soils confirm drastic environmental impacts. This trans-Pacific seismic event underscores the connected nature of Earth’s tectonic systems and remains a focus for earthquake preparedness in the region.
1700 Mw Cascadia earthquake North America
1765day.year

A British naval expedition arrives at and names Port Egmont in the Falkland Islands, founding a settlement there eight days later. (Arrival was 15 January 1765 O.S.)

A British naval expedition reaches the Falkland Islands and names Port Egmont, later establishing a settlement eight days afterward.
On January 26, 1765, Captain John Byron of the Royal Navy led his expedition to the Falkland Islands and formally named the anchorage Port Egmont in honor of the Earl of Egmont. Despite harsh weather and navigational challenges, the crew charted the bay and marked British presence in the South Atlantic. Eight days later, a contingent returned to establish the first British settlement on the islands. Port Egmont became a strategic outpost and a focal point for later sovereignty disputes between Britain and Spain. The settlement fostered sealing and whaling activities, contributing to maritime commerce. Though abandoned in 1774, Port Egmont’s founding marked the start of European geopolitical interest in the Falklands.
1765 Port Egmont Falkland Islands O.S.
1788day.year

The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day.

Captain Arthur Phillip’s First Fleet arrives at Port Jackson, founding Sydney—the first permanent European settlement in Australia, now commemorated as Australia Day.
On January 26, 1788, eleven ships of the British First Fleet, commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip, entered Port Jackson in New South Wales. This event marked the establishment of Sydney, the first enduring European colony on the Australian continent. The settlement aimed to alleviate overcrowded British prisons by transporting convicts and to assert British claims in the Pacific. Relations with the local Aboriginal peoples were initially cautious, setting a complex course for future interaction. January 26 later became known as Australia Day, reflecting both celebration and controversy over colonial impact. Today, the date evokes reflection on national identity, indigenous history, and contemporary debates over reconciliation.
1788 First Fleet Arthur Phillip Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) Sydney Australia Day
1808day.year

The Rum Rebellion is the only successful (albeit short-lived) armed takeover of the government in New South Wales.

Colonial officers overthrow Governor William Bligh in the Rum Rebellion, the only successful armed takeover of government in New South Wales.
On January 26, 1808, the New South Wales Corps and local settlers marched on Government House and arrested Governor William Bligh, deposing him in what became known as the Rum Rebellion. The uprising was fueled by disputes over the governor’s attempts to regulate the colony’s rum trade and curtail military privileges. Bligh had clashed with powerful merchants and the Corps over land grants and import duties. Although the deposed governor was reinstated in 1810, the rebellion exposed governance issues in the young colony. It remains a unique incident in Australian history, showcasing tensions between civil authority and military influence. The event influenced subsequent colonial administration reforms.
1808 Rum Rebellion
1837day.year

Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state.

Michigan joins the Union as the 26th state, expanding the United States’ western frontier.
On January 26, 1837, Michigan was officially admitted to the United States as the nation’s 26th state. The admission followed the resolution of the Toledo War, a boundary dispute with Ohio over the Toledo Strip. Statehood granted Michigan full representation in Congress and spurred rapid population growth. Detroit, the new state capital, emerged as a key commercial center in the Great Lakes region. Michigan’s admission reflected the broader westward expansion and the evolving political landscape of antebellum America. The state’s rich natural resources, including timber and minerals, would later fuel its economic development.
1837 Michigan U.S. state
1841day.year

Gordon Bremer takes formal possession of Hong Kong Island at what is now Possession Point, establishing British Hong Kong.

Britain formally takes possession of Hong Kong Island, marking the beginning of British colonial rule.
On January 26, 1841, Commodore Sir Gordon Bremer formally took possession of Hong Kong Island at Possession Point, following British victory in the First Opium War. The ceremony signified the establishment of Hong Kong as a British colony under the Treaty of Nanking. This act laid the foundation for the territory's transformation into a major trading port and global financial center. Under British administration, Hong Kong developed rapidly, attracting merchants, immigrants, and investments from around the world. The legacy of British rule influenced the region's legal system, culture, and infrastructure, leaving a lasting impact that endures to this day.
1841 Gordon Bremer Hong Kong Island Possession Point British Hong Kong
1855day.year

Point No Point Treaty is signed in Washington Territory.

The United States and Native American tribes sign the Point No Point Treaty, reshaping land rights in Washington Territory.
On January 26, 1855, the Point No Point Treaty was signed between representatives of the United States government and several Native American tribes in Washington Territory, including the S'Klallam and Chimakum. Negotiated along the shores of Puget Sound, the treaty aimed to end hostilities and secure land for American settlers. Native leaders agreed to cede large portions of their ancestral territories in exchange for reservations, fishing rights, and annual provisions. While the treaty brought a temporary peace, it also led to significant displacement and hardship for the tribes involved. The agreement reflects the broader pattern of 19th-century treaties that reshaped the American West.
1855 Point No Point Treaty Washington Territory