This Day in History
Today: February 26, 2026
-747
According to Ptolemy, the epoch (origin) of the Nabonassar Era began at noon on this date.[1] Historians use this to establish the modern BC chronology for dating historic events.[2]
320
Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta emperor.[3]
364
Valentinian I is proclaimed Roman emperor.[4]
1266
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.[5]
1365
The Ava Kingdom and the royal city of Ava (Inwa) founded by King Thado Minbya.[6]
1606
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.[7]
1616
Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.[8]
1775
The British East India Company factory on Balambangan Island is destroyed by Moro pirates.[9]
1794
The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen burns down.[10]
1815
Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from exile on the island of Elba.[11]
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