What happened on February 26 in world history? Here are 4 events worth remembering: See them above in our 57-second video, and below for more details!
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Napoleon Bonaparte escapes from Elba
Napoleon Bonaparte’s dramatic return to France from exile on Elba set the stage for the Hundred Days, a brief period of renewed power before his final defeat.
• After being exiled to the island of Elba in 1814, Napoleon escaped and returned to France in 1815, quickly regaining support from the military and the public.
• His return ignited the brief period known as the Hundred Days, where he reestablished his empire and made a bid for ultimate European dominance.
• The escape eventually led to the Battle of Waterloo, where Napoleon was decisively defeated and exiled once again, this time to Saint Helena, where he spent the final years of his life.
Kinemacolor, the first successful colour motion picture process
The invention of Kinemacolor revolutionized cinema by introducing color to motion pictures, marking a significant leap in film technology.
• Kinemacolor was the first successful two-color motion picture process, developed by George Albert Smith and launched to the public at the Palace Theatre in London.
• It was groundbreaking in its time, as it allowed filmmakers to produce color films at a fraction of the cost of later processes, though it had limitations, such as a reduced color range.
• The technology paved the way for the development of modern color filmmaking, influencing many cinematic innovations that followed.
World Trade Center bombing
The 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York City was one of the first major terrorist attacks on American soil, highlighting vulnerabilities in U.S. security.
• A truck bomb exploded in the basement parking garage of the North Tower, killing six people and injuring over a thousand others.
• The attack, carried out by a group of Islamist extremists, was an attempt to bring down both towers of the World Trade Center and instill fear in the U.S. population.
• Although the bombing failed to collapse the towers, it significantly impacted U.S. security policies and counterterrorism strategies, laying the groundwork for future attacks like those on September 11, 2001.
Fats Domino, American singer-songwriter and pianist, is born
Fats Domino, a pioneer of rock and roll, played a pivotal role in the evolution of American music with his unique style and influential hits.
• Born in New Orleans, Domino became one of the best-selling African American musicians in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his boogie-woogie piano and smooth vocals.
• His songs, including hits like “Blueberry Hill” and “Ain’t That a Shame,” were major influences on the development of rock and roll, blending rhythm and blues with a pop sensibility.
• Domino’s legacy as a groundbreaking artist earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a lasting impact on generations of musicians.