Browse Historical Events by Day: What Happened on January 26th?

Charlemagne, King of the Franks, is born in modern-day Belgium.

Arnulf of Carinthia, King of East Francia, dies, leading to a period of instability in the Carolingian Empire.

Crusaders sack the city of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, leading to the fall of the Byzantine Empire.

Duke Albert I of Austria defeats King Adolf of Germany at the Battle of Göllheim.

Pope Boniface VIII issues the papal bull "Super Cathedram," affirming papal supremacy over temporal rulers.

King Edward III of England establishes the Truce of Malestroit with France, temporarily halting hostilities.

The University of St. Andrews in Scotland is chartered by a papal bull from Pope Benedict XIII.

King Afonso V of Portugal dies, and his son, John II, becomes king.

King Richard III of England convenes the first Parliament of his reign.

The Treaty of Lyons is signed, establishing peace between France and Spain.

King Charles V's troops sack Rome, capturing Pope Clement VII.

The Spanish defeat the French at the Battle of Landriano during the War of the League of Cognac.

The English parliament bans payments to Rome, marking a step towards the English Reformation.

The Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (later New York City) is incorporated.

Charles I dissolves the English Parliament, initiating the period known as the Eleven Years' Tyranny.

The island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic is named after Saint Helena by the English East India Company.

The Iroquois League signs the Treaty of Lachine, ending hostilities with the New France government.

Mount Etna in Sicily erupts, causing significant destruction to nearby towns.

The Treaty of Ryswick ends the Nine Years' War (War of the Grand Alliance) between France and the Grand Alliance.

The Great Northern War sees Swedish forces defeat a Russian army at the Battle of Poltava.

The British colony of New South Wales is established as a penal colony. Led by Governor Arthur Phillip, the first settlement, at Sydney, consisted of about 850 convicts and their Marine guards and officers. The early years were increasingly difficult ones as the colony struggled to establish and be able to feed. By 1792, the first signs of stability were appearing but Governor Phillip, weakened by illness and the deprivations of those years, returned to England, leaving the colony in the hands of military Lieutenant-Governors. January 26 is now celebrated nationally as "Australia Day". Many Aboriginal Australians refer to it as "Invasion Day." More

The First Fleet, led by Captain Arthur Phillip, arrives at Port Jackson, Australia, establishing the first European settlement.

Peru defeats Spain in the Battle of Ayacucho, effectively securing South American independence.

The Kingdom of Poland adopts a constitution, granting limited freedoms.

The Battle of the Sacramento River takes place during the Mexican-American War.

The world's first motor race at 300 km/h is won by Malcolm Campbell in a Sunbeam at Pendine Sands, Wales.

India declares itself a Sovereign, Democratic and Republic state with the adoption of the Constitution. Although India had become a free nation on August 15, 1947 (independence day), it officially became a republic on 26 January 1950, (Republic Day) when the Constitution was adopted. Republic Day and Independence Day are national holidays.

The Republic of India's first election commences, making Jawaharlal Nehru the country's first Prime Minister.

The Phantom of the Opera, a musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, opens in London's West End.

A U.S. helicopter crashes in Iraq, killing 31 people, including 13 Americans.

Western Union discontinues its Telegram and Commercial Messaging services.

Basketball legend Kobe Bryant dies in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California.

GameStop stocks surge due to a Reddit-driven trading frenzy by small investors, challenging Wall Street hedge funds.