February 26
Overview
Holidays & Observances
Christianfeast day:
Alexander of Alexandria, Emily Malbone Morgan(Episcopal Church (USA)), Isabelle of France, Li Tim-Oi(Anglican Church of Canada), Paula Montal Fornés, Porphyry of Gaza, February 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Various saints are honored across Christian denominations on February 26, with both Western and Eastern liturgical observances.
Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre(Azerbaijan)
Azerbaijan's Day of Remembrance honors the victims of the 1992 Khojaly Massacre during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
Liberation Day (Kuwait)
Kuwait's Liberation Day marks the end of Iraqi occupation and restoration of the nation's sovereignty in 1991.
Saviours' Day(Nation of Islam)
Saviours' Day is an annual celebration by the Nation of Islam honoring its founder and teachings.
Alexander of Alexandria
Honors Saint Alexander of Alexandria, a 4th-century bishop who defended the Nicene Creed.
Emily Malbone Morgan(Episcopal Church (USA))
Remembers Emily Malbone Morgan, an Episcopal Church leader and pioneer of spiritual retreats.
Isabelle of France
Celebrates Saint Isabelle of France, a princess turned abbess and patron of charity.
Li Tim-Oi(Anglican Church of Canada)
Commemorates Li Tim-Oi, the first woman ordained as an Anglican priest.
Paula Montal Fornés
Honors Paula Montal Fornés, Spanish founder of the Sisters of the Heart of Mary.
Events
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.
In 747 BC, Ptolemy designated the start of the Nabonassar Era at noon on this day, establishing a key chronological epoch for ancient history.
Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta Emperor.
In 320, Chandragupta I was officially crowned as the first emperor of the Gupta dynasty, ushering in a golden age in India.
Valentinian I is proclaimed Roman Emperor.
In 364, Valentinian I was proclaimed Roman Emperor, beginning his influential four-year reign over the Western Roman Empire.
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.
In 1266, the Battle of Benevento saw Charles, Count of Anjou, defeat and kill Manfred of Sicily, reshaping the balance of power in Italy.
The Ava Kingdom and the royal city of Ava (Inwa) founded by King Thado Minbya.
In 1365, King Thado Minbya founded the Ava Kingdom and established the royal city of Inwa (Ava), marking the birth of a powerful Burmese dynasty.
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.
In 1606, the Dutch explorer Willem Janszoon’s expedition became the first recorded European voyage to land on Australia, though it was mistaken for New Guinea.
Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.
In 1616, the Roman Catholic Church formally banned Galileo Galilei from teaching that the Earth orbits the Sun, a pivotal moment in the science-religion debate.
The British East India Company factory on Balambangan Island is destroyed by Moro pirates.
In 1775, Moro pirates attacked and destroyed the British East India Company’s factory on Balambangan Island, disrupting colonial trade in Southeast Asia.
The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen burns down.
In 1794, the first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen was destroyed by a devastating fire, erasing a symbol of Danish royal power.
Births
King of Bohemia and King of the Romans in the late 14th century.
King of Denmark, Sweden, and Norway during the mid-15th century.
Christopher Marlowe
English playwright, poet, and translator of the Elizabethan era.
Albert VI
Duke of Bavaria and member of the Wittelsbach dynasty in the 17th century.
Stefano Landi
Italian Baroque composer and teacher active in Rome.
Archibald Campbell
Scottish nobleman and Covenanter leader as the 9th Earl of Argyll.
Quirinus Kuhlmann
German Baroque poet and mystic known for visionary writings.
Anthony Ashley-Cooper
English philosopher, politician, and 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury.
Antoine Augustin Calmet
French Benedictine monk and theologian famous for biblical commentaries.
Deaths
Porphyry of Gaza
Greek bishop of Gaza and early Christian saint known for his zealous promotion of Christianity.
Muirchertach mac Néill
9th-century Irish king of Ailech and influential member of the Uí Néill dynasty.
Norman ruler who became the first King of Sicily and consolidated Norman power in southern Italy.
Manfred
13th-century King of Sicily from the Hohenstaufen dynasty, known for his contested reign and military conflicts.
Margaret of England
13th-century English princess who became Queen consort of Scotland as the wife of King Alexander III.
Fatima bint al-Ahmar
14th-century Nasrid princess of Granada, member of the ruling dynasty in medieval Spain.
Roger Mortimer
14th-century English nobleman and military commander, 2nd Earl of March.
John de Vere
15th-century English nobleman and politician, 12th Earl of Oxford.
Lorenzino de' Medici
16th-century Italian nobleman, writer, and assassin known for killing his cousin, Duke Alessandro de' Medici.