February 26: What Happened on This Day in History
February 26th marks the 57th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 308 days (309 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on February 26th in history, famous birthdays on February 26th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to February 26.
What happened on February 26?
Here's what happened on February 26th in history:
- 2020: In a historic moment for civil rights, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act with a vote of 410-4. This landmark legislation finally designates lynching as a federal crime, marking the first successful anti-lynching bill in Congressional history and representing a significant step towards addressing racial violence.
- 2014: The Ukrainian revolution led to significant political changes, including the ousting of President Yanukovych. This period was marked by protests, violence, and the eventual annexation of Crimea by Russia. source: bbc.com
- 2011: On February 26, 2011, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 1970, imposing sanctions on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and his associates. The sanctions included travel bans, asset freezes, and an arms embargo in response to the violent crackdown on protesters. Additionally, the resolution referred the situation in Libya to the International Criminal Court for investigation into possible crimes against humanity. source: aljazeera.com
- 2010: On February 26, 2010, South Korean figure skater Kim Yu-Na won the gold medal in the women's figure skating event at the Vancouver Winter Olympics, setting a world record with her performance. Her victory was celebrated as a significant achievement in South Korean sports history. source: pbs.org
- 2004: On February 26, 2004, Israeli forces seized funds from Palestinian banks operating in the West Bank. This action was part of Israel's broader strategy to pressure the Palestinian Authority by targeting financial resources. The move was met with criticism from Palestinian officials and international observers, who viewed it as an escalation in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. source: jpost.com
- 2002: A terrorist attack on a mosque in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, resulted in the deaths of numerous Shiite Muslims.
- 1999: On February 26, 1999, President Bill Clinton delivered a speech outlining his administration's foreign policy priorities. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and the United States' role in global stability. The address addressed various geopolitical issues, including relations with NATO and the Middle East. source: nytimes.com
- 1998: Theodore W. Schultz, an American agricultural economist and Nobel laureate, passed away on February 26, 1998, in Evanston, Illinois, at the age of 95. He was renowned for his work on human capital and economic development, having been awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences in 1979. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1995: On February 26, 1995, Barings Bank, the United Kingdom's oldest merchant bank, collapsed after suffering losses of £827 million due to unauthorized trading by Nick Leeson in Singapore. The incident led to the bank's bankruptcy and was a significant event in financial history. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 1988: On February 26, 1988, during the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Christa Rothenburger of East Germany set a new world record in the women's 1000 meters speed skating event with a time of 1:17.65. This performance surpassed the previous world record and earned her the gold medal in the event. source: en.wikipedia.org
What famous birthdays are on February 26?
On February 26th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Johnny Cash]()
Johnny Cash (1932)Johnny Cash was a legendary American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor, known for his deep, resonant baritone voice and distinctive rebellious persona. As a pivotal figure in both country and rock music, Cash's influence spanned six decades. He was recognized for his innovative blend of country, rock, blues, and gospel music, helping to shape the 'rockabilly' sound. Famous for songs such … [bio]
![Levi Strauss]()
Levi Strauss (1829)Levi Strauss was a German-American businessman best known as the founder of Levi Strauss & Co., the company that created the first blue jeans. His invention, in partnership with tailor Jacob Davis, revolutionized workwear and became a staple of fashion worldwide. [bio]
![Fats Domino]()
Fats Domino (1928)Fats Domino was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter who was a pioneering figure in rock and roll and rhythm and blues music. Known for his boogie-woogie piano style and smooth vocals, he achieved worldwide fame in the 1950s and 1960s with hits such as 'Blueberry Hill' and 'Ain't That a Shame.' [bio]
![Jackie Gleason]()
Jackie Gleason (1916)Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor, writer, composer, and conductor, best known for his work in television and film, particularly his iconic role as Ralph Kramden in the television sitcom 'The Honeymooners.' Gleason's larger-than-life personality and versatile talents made him a major figure in entertainment in the mid-20th century. [bio]
![Victor Hugo]()
Victor Hugo (1802)Victor Hugo was a renowned French poet, novelist, and dramatist of the Romantic movement. He is widely considered one of the greatest and best-known French writers, most celebrated for works such as 'Les Misérables' and 'The Hunchback of Notre-Dame'. Hugo's literary output includes poetry, fiction, and critical essays, and his political involvement led him to influence cultural and social issues … [bio]
![James Wan]()
![William Frawley]()
William Frawley (1887)William Frawley was an American actor best known for his portrayal of Fred Mertz on the classic television sitcom 'I Love Lucy.' He had a long career in vaudeville, film, and television, becoming one of America's most recognized character actors. [bio]
![Nate Ruess]()
Nate Ruess (1982)Nate Ruess is an American singer-songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the indie pop band Fun. and for his successful solo music career. [bio]
![Sebastien Loeb]()
Sebastien Loeb (1974)Sébastien Loeb is a legendary French rally driver renowned for his dominance in the World Rally Championship (WRC). He holds the record of nine consecutive WRC titles from 2004 to 2012 and 80 rally victories, making him the most successful driver in the sport's history. Loeb is widely considered the greatest rally driver of all time. [bio]
![Michael Bolton]()
Michael Bolton (1953)Michael Bolton is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known for his powerful voice and a string of pop and rock ballads that achieved worldwide commercial success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. [bio]
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on February 26?
On February 26th the following celebrities died:
![Richard Carpenter]()
Richard Carpenter (2012)Richard Carpenter was a renowned American musician and half of the iconic Carpenters duo with his sister Karen.
![Vinayak Damodar Savarkar]()
Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1966)Indian independence activist and politician who played a key role in the freedom struggle.
![Bill Hicks]()
Bill Hicks (1994)Legendary American stand-up comedian known for his dark, satirical comedy and social criticism before his early death in 1994.
![Theodore Hesburgh]()
Theodore Hesburgh (2015)Renowned Catholic priest and president of the University of Notre Dame for 35 years, who was a significant civil rights advocate and...
![Jef Raskin]()
Jef Raskin (2005)Pioneering computer scientist who played a crucial role in the development of the Apple Macintosh, fundamentally transforming personal...
![Levi Eshkol]()
![Fernandel]()
Fernandel (1971)Fernandel was a renowned French actor and comedian famous for his distinctive horse-like facial expressions and memorable performances in...
![Gabor Szabo]()
Gabor Szabo (1982)Influential Hungarian jazz guitarist who revolutionized jazz fusion by blending traditional jazz with pop and Hungarian folk music styles.
![Arturo Uslar Pietri]()
Arturo Uslar Pietri (2001)Prominent Venezuelan lawyer, journalist, writer, and politician who was nominated multiple times for the Nobel Prize in Literature and...
What day of the year is February 26?
February 26th marks the 57th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 308 days remaining until the end of the year (or 309 days in case of leap years).
February 26th is the 26th day of the month of February.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day February 26?
The zodiac sign associated with February 26th is Pisces according to the Western Zodiac.
