1504⚡ Event
Columbus uses lunar eclipse to influence Jamaican villagers
Christopher Columbus predicts a lunar eclipse while stranded in Jamaica, using it to persuade local inhabitants to continue supplying his crew.
explorationscience
This Week in History: Week 9
February 26 – March 3
Over 108 historical moments took place during these 7 days of the calendar year. Explore our curated digest of the most world-changing events, iconic births, and notable deaths.
Explore the Full Daily Timelines
Major Events (February 26 – March 3)(20)
1940⚡ Event
Hattie McDaniel wins Academy Award
Hattie McDaniel becomes the first African American to win an Academy Award, for her role in Gone with the Wind.
entertainmentarts
1960⚡ Event
Agadir earthquake devastates Morocco
A powerful earthquake strikes Agadir, Morocco, killing thousands and destroying much of the city.
disaster
1982⚡ Event
Final Performance of D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
The D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, renowned for its Gilbert and Sullivan productions, held its last performance. This marked the end of an era for the company that specialized in Savoy operas.
artsmusicentertainment
1988⚡ Event
Sumgait pogrom
The Armenian community of Sumgait in Azerbaijan was the target of a violent pogrom.
politicsdisaster
1995⚡ Event
Barings Bank collapse
Barings Bank, London's oldest merchant bank, became insolvent after Nick Leeson lost £827 million in unauthorized trades. Leeson was the head derivatives trader in Singapore.
economicslaw
1996⚡ Event
Pokémon launched
The multimedia franchise Pokémon was launched with the release of the video games Pocket Monsters Red and Green.
entertainmenttechnology
1996⚡ Event
Faucett Flight 251 Crash
In the deadliest aviation accident in Peruvian history, Faucett Flight 251 crashed on approach to Rodríguez Ballón International Airport. All 123 people aboard were killed.
disasterlaw
2001⚡ Event
Selby rail crash
A high-speed train crash occurred near Selby in North Yorkshire, England, killing 10 and injuring 82.
disastertechnology
2002⚡ Event
Gujarat riots
Violent riots broke out in the Indian state of Gujarat, killing at least 1,000 people, mostly Muslims, over three days.
disasterpolitics
2002⚡ Event
Religious violence in Gujarat
During a period of religious violence in Gujarat, India, mobs of Hindus attacked Muslims in Naroda Patiya and in Chamanpura, resulting in 166 deaths.
religionpoliticsdisaster
2004⚡ Event
Angelina Jolie's Oscar dress
Angelina Jolie wore a White Marc Bouwer dress to the 76th Academy Awards, which has since been placed on numerous lists for best red carpet fashion.
entertainmentarts
2004⚡ Event
Haitian president overthrown
Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide was overthrown following popular rebel uprising.
politicswar
2012⚡ Event
Trayvon Martin shooting
African-American teenager Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. The incident sparked nationwide controversy.
lawpolitics
2013⚡ Event
Luxor hot air balloon crash
A hot air balloon crashed near Luxor, Egypt, killing 19 people. This remains the deadliest ballooning disaster in history.
disasterexploration
2013⚡ Event
Pope Benedict XVI resigns
Benedict XVI became the first pope in nearly 600 years to resign from the papacy.
religionpolitics
2014⚡ Event
Kevin Lau stabbing
Former editor-in-chief of Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao, Kevin Lau, was stabbed. This incident raised concerns about media freedom.
lawpolitics
2015⚡ Event
Boris Nemtsov assassinated
Russian statesman and politician Boris Nemtsov, an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin, was assassinated in central Moscow.
politics
2021⚡ Event
Manchester bus drivers strike
Bus drivers in Greater Manchester began an eleven-week strike, one of the longest in British transportation history.
economics
2026⚡ Event
US and Israel strike Iran
The United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials.
warpolitics
Famous Birthdays This Week(15)
1995🎂 Birth
Laura Gulbe
Laura Gulbe, a Latvian tennis player, was born. She has competed in various professional tennis tournaments.
sports
1996🎂 Birth
Chris Godwin
Chris Godwin, an American football player, was born. He is a wide receiver in the NFL.
sports
1996🎂 Birth
Ten
Ten, a Thai singer and dancer, was born. He is a member of the K-pop group NCT.
musicentertainment
1998🎂 Birth
Todd Cantwell
Todd Cantwell, an English footballer, was born. He has played for several clubs in English football.
sports
2002🎂 Birth
Johnny Davis
Johnny Davis, an American basketball player, was born. He later played in the NBA.
sports
Notable Deaths This Week(15)
2015🕊️ Death
Sheppard Frere
Sheppard Frere was an English historian and archaeologist.
scienceliterature
2016🕊️ Death
Don Getty
Don Getty was a Canadian football player and politician, serving as the 11th Premier of Alberta.
sportspolitics
2017🕊️ Death
Joseph Wapner
Joseph Wapner was an American judge and television personality.
lawentertainment
2018🕊️ Death
Steve Folkes
Steve Folkes, an Australian rugby league player and coach, died. He was born in 1959.
sports
2019🕊️ Death
France-Albert René
France-Albert René, the 2nd President of Seychelles, died. He led the country for over two decades.
politics
2021🕊️ Death
Ng Man-tat
Ng Man-tat, a prominent Hong Kong actor, died. He was known for his comedic roles in Hong Kong cinema.
artsentertainment
2023🕊️ Death
Gérard Latortue
Gérard Latortue, who served as the Prime Minister of Haiti, died. He led the interim government following the 2004 coup d'état.
politics
2025🕊️ Death
Boris Spassky
Boris Spassky, a Russian chess grandmaster, died. He was the World Chess Champion from 1969 to 1972.
sportsentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
David Johansen
David Johansen, American singer-songwriter and actor, is predicted to die.
musicentertainment
2025🕊️ Death
Miguel Piñera
Miguel Piñera, Chilean celebrity, night club owner and amateur musician, is predicted to die.
entertainmentmusic
2026🕊️ Death
Aziz Nasirzadeh
Aziz Nasirzadeh, Minister of Defense of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is predicted to die.
politics
2026🕊️ Death
Mohammad Pakpour
Mohammad Pakpour, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic of Iran, is predicted to die.
politics
Trending Topics This Week
History, Delivered Daily.
Join thousands of history buffs. Get a curated 1-minute read of the day's most fascinating historical events sent straight to your inbox.
No spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy.