1788Law
Australia Day - First Fleet lands
First Fleet of British ships landed at Sydney Cove, now commemorated as Australia Day.
Tuesday 13 October 2026
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Coincidence Engine
Two birth milestones share this date — Ellen DeGeneres born (1958) and Sasha Banks born (1992), 34 years apart.
1 / 3 coincidences found today • Auto-spins every 7s
From CurioVault
Today's curiosity
Its copper-based blood detects bacteria — and pharma bleeds it.
Read on CurioVault.co → Today's headlines
- War Dims Hope for PeaceHall of Fame◆
- 2002Ericsson's 2001 Loss Is First in 50 YearsThe New York Times◆
- 2022Los Angeles city council votes to ban new urban oil and gas drilling in historic moveThe Guardian◆
- 2021Fox News hires Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow to host showThe Guardian◆
- 661The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.Wikipedia◆
- 1972JAT Flight 367 exploded in mid-air over Czechoslovakia; the only survivor of the 28 on board, flight attendant Vesna Vulović, fell 10,160 m (33,330 ft), setting the record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute.Wikipedia◆
- 1788Captain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia.Wikipedia◆
- 1700An earthquake with a moment magnitude of around 9.0 occurred off the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records of tsunamis.Wikipedia◆
- 1856First Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The 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◆
- 1765A 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◆
- 1699For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers.Wikipedia◆
- 1641Reapers' War: Battle of Montjuïc, decisive victory of the Catalan army (with French support) over the Spanish army.Wikipedia◆
- 1564The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.Wikipedia◆
- War Dims Hope for PeaceHall of Fame◆
- 2002Ericsson's 2001 Loss Is First in 50 YearsThe New York Times◆
- 2022Los Angeles city council votes to ban new urban oil and gas drilling in historic moveThe Guardian◆
- 2021Fox News hires Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow to host showThe Guardian◆
- 661The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.Wikipedia◆
- 1972JAT Flight 367 exploded in mid-air over Czechoslovakia; the only survivor of the 28 on board, flight attendant Vesna Vulović, fell 10,160 m (33,330 ft), setting the record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute.Wikipedia◆
- 1788Captain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia.Wikipedia◆
- 1700An earthquake with a moment magnitude of around 9.0 occurred off the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records of tsunamis.Wikipedia◆
- 1856First Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers.Wikipedia◆
- 1788The 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◆
- 1765A 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◆
- 1699For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers.Wikipedia◆
- 1641Reapers' War: Battle of Montjuïc, decisive victory of the Catalan army (with French support) over the Spanish army.Wikipedia◆
- 1564The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.Wikipedia◆
Birthday twins
You share your birthday with...
Sasha Banks1992- Ellen DeGeneres1958
- Douglas MacArthur1880
26 January in history
2 eventsEvents, inventions, discoveries and releases. Looking for people or sport? See , and below.
We are adding more verified events for this date - more coming soon.
1950Achievement
Indian Constitution comes into force
India became a republic with its constitution taking effect, celebrated as Republic Day.
Showing 1-2 of 2 events
What happened on this day · Odd history for today
Vintage News — January 26
661 Oddly trueThe Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1972 Oddly trueJAT Flight 367 exploded in mid-air over Czechoslovakia; the only survivor of the 28 on board, flight attendant Vesna Vulović, fell 10,160 m (33,330 ft), setting the record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1788 First everCaptain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1700 Oddly trueAn earthquake with a moment magnitude of around 9.0 occurred off the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records of tsunamis.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1856 First everFirst Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
From The Guardian Archives — On This Day
2022The GuardianLos Angeles city council votes to ban new urban oil and gas drilling in historic moveAlong with banning new drilling, the ordinance will also look at how to decommission existing wells operating across…
Read on The Guardian →
2021The GuardianFox News hires Trump economic adviser Larry Kudlow to host showDetails of Fox Business show to be announced later, with Fox also ‘open’ to hiring ex-press secretary Kayleigh McEnany
Read on The Guardian →- 2002The New York TimesEricsson's 2001 Loss Is First in 50 Years
Ericsson reports loss of 21.3 billion kronor ($204 million) in 2001, company's first unprofitable year in half a cent…
Read on NYTimes.com →
Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API
Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.
Strange but true headlines of the day
OddlyTrue News Stand
From the archives
Classic headlineWar Dims Hope for Peace
Source: Classic headline (CJR 'Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim' collections)View clipping source
Did you guess the year?
Streak 0 days Best 0
When was “The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.” happening? Slide to your guess.
1950
Weird history, same day
- ???? Oddly true
The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1972 Oddly true
JAT Flight 367 exploded in mid-air over Czechoslovakia; the only survivor of the 28 on board, flight attendant Vesna Vulović, fell 10,160 m (33,330 ft), setting the record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1788 First ever
Captain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia.
Read more →Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Hall of Fame headlines are manually verified clippings (source linked); nothing is scraped from Newspapers.com. Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Clippings from the Library of Congress, Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers site.
Pick another date or enter your birthday (day + month only)
Viewing 26 January — today is 13 October.
Born on this day
3
1880Birth
Douglas MacArthur born
Douglas MacArthur was born. American general.
1958Birth
Ellen DeGeneres born
Ellen DeGeneres was born. American comedian.
1992Birth
Sasha Banks born
Sasha Banks was born. American wrestler.
Died on this day
17 in the archiveFive infamous ends — executed, assassinated or murdered — drawn at random from the archive. All infamous ends →
Executed
1793Death
Death of Louis XVI
King Louis XVI of France was executed by guillotine in Paris during French Revolution.
Suicide
2014Death
Robin Williams dies
Robin Williams, actor and comedian, died on this day in 2014. Suicide. Remembered as: Known for his improvisational skills and wide variety of roles.
Assassinated
44 BCDeath
Julius Caesar dies
Julius Caesar, roman general/statesman, died on this day in 44 BC. Assassinated by Roman senators. Remembered as: Critical role in the demise of the Roman Republic.
Suicide
2008Death
Heath Ledger dies
Heath Ledger, actor, died on this day in 2008. Accidental prescription drug overdose. Remembered as: Acclaimed performances, including the Joker in The Dark Knight.
Suicide
1962Death
Marilyn Monroe dies
Marilyn Monroe, actress and model, died on this day in 1962. Barbiturate overdose. Remembered as: Iconic actress and sex symbol of the 1950s and 1960s.
Famous birthdays
22 this weekToday · 26 January
- Sasha BanksAmerican professional wrestler (born 1992)Born 1992 · 34 years ago today
- Ellen DeGeneresAmerican comedian and television host (born 1958)Born 1958 · 68 years ago today
- Douglas MacArthurUnited States Army general (1880–1964)Born 1880 · 146 years ago today
Coming up this week
Rosamund PikeBritish actress and producer (born 1979)27 January · born 1979
Bridget FondaAmerican actress (born 1964)27 January · born 1964
Wolfgang Amadeus MozartComposer and musician (1756–1791)27 January · born 1756
Ariel WinterAmerican actress (born 1998)28 January · born 1998
Elijah WoodAmerican actor and producer (born 1981)28 January · born 1981- HVHenry VIIBorn 145728 January · born 1457
Holiday26 January
Australia Day
Australia's official national day marking the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet.
Music · No.1 on this day
What was topping the charts
The official No.1 singles and albums in the UK and the USA on this date, decade by decade.
2016 10 yrs ago
2006 20 yrs ago
1996 30 yrs ago
1986 40 yrs ago
1976 50 yrs ago
1966 60 yrs ago
1956 70 yrs ago
Sport on this day
0Finals, medals and records decided on 26 January.
No recorded sporting finals on this date yet.
Sporting almanac
Who was champion, 10, 25 and 50 years ago
World Cups, Olympics, Wimbledon, the Masters, Super Bowl and more — year by year since 1877.
2016 10 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Rio
- WimbledonAndy Murray and Serena Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlDenver Broncos win Super Bowl 50
- Tour de FranceChris Froome wins the Tour de France
- The MastersDanny Willett wins the Masters
- World SeriesChicago Cubs win the World Series
2001 25 yrs ago
- WimbledonGoran Ivanisevic and Venus Williams win Wimbledon
- Super BowlBaltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV
- The MastersTiger Woods wins the Masters
- World SeriesArizona Diamondbacks win the World Series
- NBA FinalsLos Angeles Lakers win the NBA Finals
- Stanley CupColorado Avalanche win the Stanley Cup
1976 50 yrs ago
- Olympic GamesSummer Olympics in Montreal
- Olympic GamesWinter Olympics in Innsbruck
- WimbledonBjorn Borg and Chris Evert win Wimbledon
- Super BowlPittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl X
- Tour de FranceLucien Van Impe wins the Tour de France
- The MastersRaymond Floyd wins the Masters
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