On this day: 26/01/661

The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.

On this day: 26/01/1531

The 6.4-7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people.

On this day: 26/01/1564

The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism.

On this day: 26/01/1564

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia in the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War.

On this day: 26/01/1699

For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers.

On this day: 26/01/1700

The 8.7-9.2 Mw Cascadia earthquake takes place off the west coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records.

On this day: 26/01/1788

The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Celebrated as Australia Day.

On this day: 26/01/1808

The Rum Rebellion is the only successful (albeit short-lived) armed takeover of the government in New South Wales.

On this day: 26/01/1837

Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state.

On this day: 26/01/1841

James Bremer takes formal possession of Hong Kong Island at what is now Possession Point, establishing British Hong Kong.