# What happened on January 26 in history?

**Date:** January 26  
**Events recorded:** 49  
**Years spanned:** 661 – 2021  
**Full page:** https://thisday.info/events/january/26/

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## Featured Event

**2015** — Syrian civil war: The People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptures the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), marking a turning point in the Siege of Kobanî.

[Read more on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war)

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## Events on this date

- **661** — The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rashidun_Caliphate))
- **1531** — The 6.4–7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismic_magnitude_scales))
- **1564** — The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_of_Trent))
- **1564** — The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia in the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchy_of_Lithuania))
- **1641** — Reapers' War: Battle of Montjuïc, decisive victory of the Catalan army (with French support) over the Spanish army. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reapers'_War))
- **1699** — For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottoman_Empire))
- **1700** — The 8.7–9.2 Mw Cascadia earthquake takes place off the west coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismic_magnitude_scales))
- **1765** — 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.) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Egmont))
- **1788** — 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. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Fleet))
- **1808** — The Rum Rebellion is the only successful (albeit short-lived) armed takeover of the government in New South Wales. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rum_Rebellion))
- **1837** — Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan))
- **1841** — Gordon Bremer takes formal possession of Hong Kong Island at what is now Possession Point, establishing British Hong Kong. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Bremer))
- **1855** — Point No Point Treaty is signed in Washington Territory. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_No_Point_Treaty))
- **1856** — First Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Seattle_(1856)))
- **1861** — American Civil War: The state of Louisiana secedes from the Union. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War))
- **1863** — American Civil War: General Ambrose Burnside is relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac after the disastrous Fredericksburg campaign. He is replaced by Joseph Hooker. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambrose_Burnside))
- **1863** — American Civil War: Governor of Massachusetts John Albion Andrew receives permission from the Secretary of War to raise a militia organization for men of African descent. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Massachusetts))
- **1870** — Reconstruction Era: Virginia is readmitted to the Union. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reconstruction_era))
- **1885** — Troops loyal to The Mahdi conquer Khartoum, killing the Governor-General Charles George Gordon. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ahmad))
- **1905** — The world's largest diamond ever, the Cullinan, which weighs 3,106.75 carats (0.621350 kg), is found at the Premier Mine near Pretoria in South Africa. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond))
- **1915** — The Rocky Mountain National Park is established by an act of the U.S. Congress. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Mountain_National_Park))
- **1918** — Finnish Civil War: A group of Red Guards hangs a red lantern atop the tower of Helsinki Workers' Hall to symbolically mark the start of the war. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Civil_War))
- **1926** — The first demonstration of the television by John Logie Baird. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Logie_Baird))
- **1930** — The Indian National Congress declares 26 January as Independence Day or as the day for Poorna Swaraj ("Complete Independence") which occurred 17 years later. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_National_Congress))
- **1934** — The Apollo Theater reopens in Harlem, New York City. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Theater))
- **1934** — German–Polish declaration of non-aggression is signed. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German%E2%80%93Polish_declaration_of_non-aggression))
- **1939** — Spanish Civil War: Catalonia Offensive: Troops loyal to nationalist General Francisco Franco and aided by Italy take Barcelona. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_Civil_War))
- **1942** — World War II: The first United States forces arrive in Europe, landing in Northern Ireland. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II))
- **1945** — World War II: Audie Murphy displays valor and bravery in action for which he will later be awarded the Medal of Honor. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audie_Murphy))
- **1949** — The Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory sees first light under the direction of Edwin Hubble, becoming the largest aperture optical telescope (until BTA-6 is built in 1976). ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hale_Telescope))
- **1950** — The Constitution of India comes into force, forming a republic. Rajendra Prasad is sworn in as the first President of India. Observed as Republic Day in India. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_India))
- **1952** — Black Saturday in Egypt: rioters burn Cairo's central business district, targeting British and upper-class Egyptian businesses. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo_fire))
- **1956** — Soviet Union cedes Porkkala back to Finland. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porkkalanniemi))
- **1959** — The 41-acre (17 ha) Chain Island is listed for sale by the California State Lands Commission, with a minimum bid of $5,226. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chain_Island))
- **1962** — Ranger 3 is launched to study the Moon. The space probe later misses the Moon by 22,000 miles (35,400 km). ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranger_3))
- **1966** — The three Beaumont children disappear from a beach in Glenelg, South Australia, resulting in one of the country's largest-ever police investigations. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_the_Beaumont_children))
- **1972** — JAT Flight 367 is destroyed by a terrorist bomb, killing 27 of the 28 people on board the DC-9. Flight attendant Vesna Vulović survives with critical injuries. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JAT_Flight_367))
- **1974** — Turkish Airlines Flight 301 crashes during takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport (now İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport), killing 66 of the 73 people on board the Fokker F28 Fellowship. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Airlines_Flight_301))
- **1986** — The Ugandan government of Tito Okello is overthrown by the National Resistance Army, led by Yoweri Museveni. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tito_Okello))
- **1991** — Mohamed Siad Barre is removed from power in Somalia, ending centralized government, and is succeeded by Ali Mahdi. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siad_Barre))
- **1998** — Lewinsky scandal: On American television, U.S. President Bill Clinton denies having had "sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinton%E2%80%93Lewinsky_scandal))
- **2001** — The 7.7 Mw Gujarat earthquake shakes Western India, leaving 13,805–20,023 dead and about 166,800 injured. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismic_magnitude_scales))
- **2001** — Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, is killed in a dog attack in San Francisco. The resulting court case clarified the meaning of implied malice murder. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Diane_Whipple))
- **2009** — Rioting breaks out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that will result in the replacement of President Marc Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antananarivo))
- **2009** — Nadya Suleman gives birth to the world's first surviving octuplets. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadya_Suleman))
- **2015** — An aircraft crashes at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, killing 11 people and injuring 21 others. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_Los_Llanos_Air_Base_crash))
- **2015** — Syrian civil war: The People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptures the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), marking a turning point in the Siege of Kobanî. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war))
- **2020** — A Sikorsky S-76B flying from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport crashes in Calabasas, 30 miles west of Los Angeles, killing all nine people on board, including five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-76))
- **2021** — Protesters and farmers storm the Red Fort near Delhi, clashing with police. One protester is killed and more than 80 police officers are injured. ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Indian_farmers'_Republic_Day_protest))

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## Notable births on January 26

- **2009** — **YaYa Gosselin** — American actress ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YaYa_Gosselin))
- **2009** — **The Suleman octuplets** ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suleman_octuplets))
- **2002** — **Darya Astakhova** — Russian tennis player ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darya_Astakhova))
- **2001** — **Latalia Bevan** — Welsh artistic gymnast ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Latalia_Bevan))
- **2001** — **Isaac Okoro** — American basketball player ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Okoro))
- **2000** — **Ester Expósito** — Spanish actress ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ester_Exp%C3%B3sito))
- **2000** — **Darius Garland** — American basketball player ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_Garland))
- **1999** — **Leonardo Balerdi** — Argentine footballer ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonardo_Balerdi))
- **1999** — **Travis Etienne** — American football player ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travis_Etienne))
- **1998** — **Moonbin** — South Korean singer and actor. (died 2023) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonbin))

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## Notable deaths on January 26

- **2025** — **Suzanne Massie** — American historian (born 1931) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suzanne_Massie))
- **2020** — **John Altobelli** — American college baseball coach (born 1963) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Altobelli))
- **2020** — **Gianna Bryant** — American student-athlete (born 2006) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianna_Bryant))
- **2020** — **Kobe Bryant** — American basketball player (born 1978) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kobe_Bryant))
- **2017** — **Mike Connors** — American actor (born 1925) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Connors))
- **2017** — **Tam Dalyell** — Scottish politician (born 1932) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tam_Dalyell))
- **2017** — **Lindy Delapenha** — Jamaican footballer and sports journalist (born 1927) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindy_Delapenha))
- **2017** — **Barbara Hale** — American actress (born 1922) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Hale))
- **2017** — **Barbara Howard** — Canadian sprinter and educator (born 1920) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Howard_(athlete)))
- **2016** — **Sahabzada Yaqub Khan** — Pakistani military leader, foreign minister, and diplomat (born 1920) ([Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sahabzada_Yaqub_Khan))

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## About this page

This is a machine-readable Markdown summary of [thisday.info/events/january/26/](https://thisday.info/events/january/26/).  
Historical data is sourced from [Wikipedia/Wikimedia](https://www.wikipedia.org) under [CC BY-SA](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/).  
Editorial framing and site content © thisday.info.