📅 Today in HistoryFebruary 26

According to Ptolemy, the epoch (origin) of the Nabonassar Era began at noon on this date. Historians use this to establish the modern BC chronology for dating historic events.

Chandragupta I is officially crowned as the first Gupta Emperor.

Valentinian I is proclaimed Roman Emperor.

Battle of Kemej: The royal army of Solomon, King of Hungary defeats the force of his rebellious cousin Duke Géza.

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.

The Ava Kingdom and the royal city of Ava (Inwa) founded by King Thado Minbya.

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.

Galileo Galilei is formally banned by the Roman Catholic Church from teaching or defending the view that the earth orbits the sun.

The British East India Company factory on Balambangan Island is destroyed by Moro pirates.

The first Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen burns down.