26 February - HMHS Britannic launched

 

HMHS Britannic, a sister ship to the RMS Titanic and HMHS (His Majesty's Hospital Ship) Britannic, was launched on February 26, 1914. Britannic was the third and final Olympic-class ocean liner built by the White Star Line, a British shipping company.

Like its sister ships, Britannic was initially designed to be a luxury ocean liner, but due to the outbreak of World War I, its construction was repurposed to serve as a hospital ship before it could enter commercial service. Britannic's career as a hospital ship was short-lived, as it sank in the Aegean Sea on November 21, 1916, after hitting a mine during its service as a hospital ship in the Mediterranean.

Despite being launched as a hospital ship, Britannic has historical significance not only due to its association with the Titanic but also because it played a role in maritime and medical efforts during World War I. The sinking of the Britannic resulted in fewer casualties compared to the Titanic disaster, as the ship's design improvements and the crew's response contributed to a more successful evacuation of passengers and medical staff.

26 February - The Grand Teton National Park is established

 

Grand Teton National Park was established on February 26, 1929. The park is located in northwestern Wyoming, United States, and it encompasses the major peaks of the Teton Range as well as part of the Jackson Hole valley. The iconic Grand Teton, the tallest mountain in the range, is one of the prominent features of the park.

The creation of Grand Teton National Park was a significant step in preserving the stunning natural landscapes of the Teton Range and the surrounding areas. The park offers diverse ecosystems, including alpine meadows, pristine lakes, and dense forests, attracting visitors for various recreational activities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, and mountaineering.

It's important to note that the establishment of the park followed earlier conservation efforts in the region, including the formation of the Jackson Hole National Monument in 1943. The monument and additional lands were later incorporated into the expanded boundaries of Grand Teton National Park in 1950.

Grand Teton National Park is not only celebrated for its breathtaking scenery but also for its rich biodiversity and the opportunity it provides for outdoor enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the natural wonders of the Teton Range and its surroundings.

26 February - Day of Remembrance for Victims of Khojaly Massacre (Azerbaijan)

 

The Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Khojaly Massacre is observed in Azerbaijan on February 26 each year. This day commemorates the tragic events that occurred in the town of Khojaly during the Nagorno-Karabakh War in 1992.

On the night of February 25-26, 1992, Armenian armed forces, supported by the No. 366th CIS Regiment, attacked the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. The assault resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Azerbaijani civilians, including women, children, and elderly individuals. Many others were injured, and a significant number of people were displaced.

The Khojaly Massacre is one of the deadliest incidents during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, and the anniversary is remembered as a day of mourning and remembrance in Azerbaijan. The observance aims to honor the memory of the victims and raise awareness about the tragic events that took place in Khojaly.

Activities on this day typically include memorial services, ceremonies, and educational events to ensure that the events of the Khojaly Massacre are not forgotten and to promote awareness both domestically and internationally. The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagorno-Karabakh region has had a lasting impact on the region, and the Day of Remembrance serves as a solemn occasion to reflect on the consequences of war and to honor those who lost their lives.

 

26 February - Levi Strauss birth anniversary

 

Levi Strauss, born on February 26, 1829, and passing away on September 26, 1902, was a German-American businessman and the founder of Levi Strauss & Co., one of the world's most iconic and well-known clothing companies. He is best known for his role in popularizing and commercializing blue jeans, which became a symbol of American fashion and culture.

Levi Strauss was born in Bavaria, Germany, and later immigrated to the United States during the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. In San Francisco, he established a dry goods business, initially selling clothing, blankets, and other supplies to prospectors and miners. It was during this time that he teamed up with a tailor named Jacob Davis to create a more durable and robust pair of pants with rivets at stress points, which laid the foundation for what we now know as "blue jeans."

In 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for their innovative design, and this marked the birth of the classic blue jeans. The "Levi's" brand quickly gained popularity and became synonymous with quality and durability. Over the years, Levi Strauss & Co. expanded its product line to include various denim clothing items and became a global denim powerhouse.

Today, Levi's jeans are recognized worldwide for their comfort, style, and durability. Levi Strauss's legacy extends far beyond fashion, as he played a significant role in shaping American clothing culture and is remembered as an iconic figure in the history of American entrepreneurship.

26 February - The Bank of England issues the first one-pound note in 1797

 

The introduction of one-pound notes by the Bank of England dates back to the late 17th century.

The first one-pound notes were indeed issued by the Bank of England in 1797 during a period of financial crisis. These early one-pound notes were introduced as a response to the shortage of metal coins, which were hoarded due to uncertainty about the economy and the French Revolutionary Wars. The use of paper currency, including one-pound notes, became more widespread as a convenient alternative to metal coins.

 

26 February - USA celebrates National Tell a Fairy Tale Day

 

 

Tell a Fairy Tale Day is an informal observance held on February 26. It provides a perfect opportunity to read fairy tales to your kinds and enjoy your favorite childhood tales yourself.

A fairy tale is a short story that typically features fantasy characters and magic. Fairy tales usually take place once upon a time and have a happy ending: evil characters are punished and good characters live happily ever after.

Fairy tale collections are usually the first books read by children (not counting alphabet books, of course). But  children are introduced to fairy tales much earlier than they start to read, because fairy tales are the most common  type of bedtime story.

Even if you don’t have children or your kids are not around, you should not miss the opportunity to reacquaint yourself with fairy tales. It’s perfectly okay to read fairy tale books alone. Make a cup of hot chocolate, curl up in a chair and immerse yourself in the world of princes and princesses, evil witches and beautiful fairies, dragons and unicorns, talking animals and magical plants.

 

26 February - Ahmed Zewail birth anniversary

 

Ahmed Zewail (1946–2016) was an Egyptian-American scientist, known for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the area of femtochemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1999 for his work on femtochemistry, which allowed scientists to observe and understand chemical reactions at the femtosecond (10^-15 seconds) timescale.

Here are some key points about Ahmed Zewail:

1. Early Life and Education: Ahmed Hassan Zewail was born on February 26, 1946, in Damanhur, Egypt. He earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Alexandria before obtaining his Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1974.

2. Femtochemistry: Zewail's pioneering work in femtochemistry involved the use of ultrafast laser techniques to observe and understand the dynamics of chemical reactions at the atomic and molecular levels. His breakthroughs allowed scientists to study reactions in unprecedented detail and timescales.

3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1999): Zewail was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on femtochemistry, making him the first Egyptian and the first Arab to receive a Nobel Prize in a scientific field.

4. Academic Career: Zewail became a professor at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and held the Linus Pauling Chair in Chemical Physics. He made significant contributions to both teaching and research during his tenure at Caltech.

5. Public Service: In addition to his scientific contributions, Zewail was involved in various public service and diplomatic activities. He served as a science envoy to the Middle East for the U.S. Department of State.

6. Death: Ahmed Zewail passed away on August 2, 2016, at the age of 70.

Ahmed Zewail's work significantly advanced our understanding of chemical reactions, and his contributions to femtochemistry opened up new possibilities for controlling and manipulating chemical processes at the molecular level. His legacy continues to inspire scientists in the field of physical chemistry.

26 February - Otto Wallach death anniversary

 

Otto Wallach (1847–1931) was a German chemist who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1910 for his work on alicyclic compounds. Born on March 27, 1847, in Königsberg, Prussia (now Kaliningrad, Russia), Wallach made significant contributions to the field of organic chemistry.

Key contributions and achievements of Otto Wallach include:

1. Research on Terpenes: Wallach's most notable work was on the structure and constitution of terpenes, a large class of naturally occurring compounds found in essential oils. He systematically studied their properties and isolated various terpenes, contributing to the understanding of their structures.

2. Alicyclic Compounds: Wallach's research on alicyclic compounds, which are organic compounds with ring structures, was groundbreaking. His investigations into the structure of these compounds laid the foundation for the understanding of the chemistry of cycloalkanes and cycloalkenes.

3. Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1910): Otto Wallach was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1910 "in recognition of his services to organic chemistry and the chemical industry by his pioneer work in the field of alicyclic compounds." His work on the structure and classification of terpenes played a crucial role in his recognition.

4. Teaching and Academic Career: Wallach had a successful academic career, serving as a professor at the University of Göttingen. He mentored several students who later became prominent chemists.

Otto Wallach's work significantly advanced the understanding of the chemistry of hydrocarbons and organic compounds, particularly terpenes. His research had a lasting impact on the field of organic chemistry. Wallach passed away on February 26, 1931, in Göttingen, Germany.

 

26 February - B.N.RAO birth anniversary

 

Sir Benegal Narsing Rau CIE (26 February 1887 – 30 November 1953) was an Indian civil servant, jurist, diplomat and statesman known for his key role in drafting the Constitution of India. He was the Constitutional Advisor to Constituent Assembly. He was also India's representative to the United Nations Security Council from 1950 to 1952. His brothers were Governor of the Reserve Bank of India Benegal Rama Rau and journalist and politician B. Shiva Rao.

One of the foremost Indian jurists of his time, Rau helped draft the constitutions of Burma in 1947 and India in 1950. He was the architect of the Indian constitution. As India's representative on the United Nations Security Council (1950–52), he was serving as president of the council when it recommended armed assistance to South Korea (June 1950). Later he was a member of the Korean War post Armistice United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission (UNCMAC).

26 February - The Khojaly massacre of Azerbaijani civilians

 

The Khojaly massacre was the mass killing of Azerbaijani civilians by Armenian forces and the 366th CIS regiment in the town of Khojaly on 26 February 1992.The event became the largest single massacre throughout the entire Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

Khojaly was an Azerbaijani-populated town of some 6,300 people in the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast of Azerbaijan SSR, also housing the region's only airport in 1992.The town was subject to daily shelling and total blockade by Armenian forces during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. Without supply of electricity, gas, or water, it was defended by the local forces consisting of about 160 lightly armed men. The Armenian forces, along with some troops of the 366th CIS regiment, launched an offensive in early 1992, forcing almost the entire Azerbaijani population of the enclave to flee, and committing "unconscionable acts of violence against civilians" as they fled.

On the night of 26 February 1992, the Armenian forces seized the town, taking prisoner or killing the civilians remaining in it. At the same time, several large groups of Azerbaijani civilians, along with some self-defense forces in some of them, were trying to escape the town and move towards the Azerbaijani-controlled territories. However, Armenian forces fired upon the fleeing Azerbaijani refugees, resulting in hundreds of deaths.

The massacre was one of the turning points during the First Nagorno-Karabakh War. The death toll given by the Azerbaijani authorities is 613 civilians, including 106 women and 63 children.According to Human Rights Watch, at least 200 Azerbaijanis were killed during the massacre, though as many as 500–1,000 may have died