^B{^#!16!26 February^N! Feast day of St Alexander of Alexandria, St Porphyry of Gaza, St Nestor of Magydus, and St Victor the Hermit.
^B{1531^B} An earthquake in Lisbon, Portugal, killed 20,000 people. ^B{1797^B} The first ú note was issued by the Bank of England. ^B{1815^B} Napoleon escaped from exile on the island of Elba. ^B{1839^B} The first Grand National Steeplechase was run at Aintree. ^B{1935 ^B}Robert Watson-Watt gave the first demonstration of Radar at Daventry, England. ^B{1936^B} Adolf Hitler launched the Volkswagen ('people's automobile'), intended to compete with Ford's Model T and boost the German economy.
^B{^I{^#!14!Born ^N}Victor Hugo, French novelist and playwright, ^B{1802^B}; William Cody ('Buffalo Bill'), US showman, ^B{1846^B}; Frank Bridge, English composer and conductor, ^B{1879^B}; Fats Domino, US singer, ^B{1928^B}; Johnny Cash, US country singer, ^B{1932^B}.
^B{^I{^#!14!Died ^N}Roger II, king of Sicily, ^B{1154^B}; John Philip Kemble, English actor, ^B{1823^B}; Richard Gatling, US inventor of the Gatling gun, ^B{1903^B}; Harry Lauder, Scottish music-hall comedian, ^B{1950^B}; Slim Gaillard, US jazz musician, ^B{1991^B}.