What Happened on February 26?
All
events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON FEBRUARY 26
Explore the most important historical events that happened on February 26, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Empire of Japan
Year:
1876
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.
Like
Beach Pneumatic Transit
Year:
1870
The Beach Pneumatic Transit in New York City, intended as a demonstration for a subway line, opens.
Like
Napoleon
Year:
1815
Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from exile on the island of Elba.
Like
Kinemacolor
Year:
1909
Kinemacolor, the first successful color motion picture process, is first shown to the general public at the Palace Theatre in London.
Like
HMHS Britannic
Year:
1914
HMHS Britannic, sister to the RMS Titanic, is launched at Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast.
Like
Robert Watson-Watt
Year:
1935
Robert Watson-Watt carries out a demonstration near Daventry which leads directly to the development of radar in the United Kingdom.
Like
Calvin Coolidge
Year:
1929
President Calvin Coolidge signs legislation establishing the 96,000 acres (390 km2) Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
Like
Woodrow Wilson
Year:
1919
President Woodrow Wilson signs an act of Congress establishing the Grand Canyon National Park.
Like
BIRTHS ON FEBRUARY 26
Discover famous people and historical figures born on February 26, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Tony Randall
Year of birth:
1920
Tony Randall, American actor, director, and producer (died 2004)
Like
Lucjan Wolanowski
Year of birth:
1920
Lucjan Wolanowski, Polish journalist and author (died 2006)
Like
Mason Adams
Year of birth:
1919
Mason Adams, American actor (died 2005)
Like
Otis Bowen
Year of birth:
1918
Otis Bowen, American physician and politician, 44th Governor of Indiana (died 2013)
Like
Betty Hutton
Year of birth:
1921
Betty Hutton, American actress and singer (died 2007)
Like
Margaret Leighton
Year of birth:
1922
Margaret Leighton, English actress (died 1976)
Like
Henry Molaison
Year of birth:
1926
Henry Molaison, American medical patient (died 2008)
Like
Everton Weekes
Year of birth:
1925
Everton Weekes, Barbadian cricketer and referee (died 2020)
Like
DEATHS ON FEBRUARY 26
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on February 26, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Karl Davydov
Year of death:
1889
Karl Davydov, Russian cellist and composer (born 1838)
Like
Kathinka Kraft
Year of death:
1895
Kathinka Kraft, Norwegian memoirist (born 1826)
Like
Richard Jordan Gatling
Year of death:
1903
Richard Jordan Gatling, American engineer, invented the Gatling gun (born 1818)
Like
Felix Draeseke
Year of death:
1913
Felix Draeseke, German composer and academic (born 1835)
Like
Anandi Gopal Joshi
Year of death:
1887
Anandi Gopal Joshi, First Indian women physician (born 1865)
Like
Alexandros Koumoundouros
Year of death:
1883
Alexandros Koumoundouros, Greek lawyer and politician, 56th Prime Minister of Greece (born 1817)
Like
Sybil Ludington
Year of death:
1839
Sybil Ludington, American figure of the American Revolutionary War (born 1761)
Like
Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine
Year of death:
1864
Louis-Hippolyte Lafontaine, Canadian jurist and politician, 3rd Premier of Canada East (born 1807)
Like
HOLIDAYS ON FEBRUARY 26
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on February 26 around the world.
Saint Porphyrius
Christian feast day: Porphyry of Gaza
Like
February 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: February 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Like
Saviours' Day
Saviours' Day (Nation of Islam)
Like
Pope Alexander I of Alexandria
Christian feast day: Alexander of Alexandria
Like
Paula Montal Fornés
Christian feast day: Paula Montal Fornés
Like
Florence Li Tim-Oi
Christian feast day: Li Tim-Oi (Anglican Church of Canada)
Like
Saint Isabelle of France
Christian feast day: Isabelle of France
Like
Emily Malbone Morgan
Christian feast day: Emily Malbone Morgan (Episcopal Church (USA))
Like