January 26. On the surface, it might look like just another day—but oh no, history had other plans. Over the centuries, this date has delivered twists, turns, and moments that make you go, “Wait, what?!” From battles that shaped empires to a discovery straight out of a heist movie, January 26 has seen it all. Let’s dive into six incredible events that prove history can sometimes be stranger than fiction.
1. 66 CE: The Romans Go Full Gladiator at the Battle of Mediolanum
Let’s rewind to 66 CE. The Roman Empire was flexing its power across Europe, and Claudius Gothicus, one of Rome’s most badass emperors, was out here setting records. On January 26, Claudius faced the Alemanni, a Germanic tribe that thought they could just roll into Roman territory uninvited. Big mistake.
The Alemanni had numbers on their side, but Rome had discipline, strategy, and Claudius leading the charge. The result? A crushing defeat for the Alemanni at the Battle of Mediolanum (modern-day Milan, Italy). This wasn’t just a victory—it was a statement: “Don’t mess with Rome.”
But who exactly was Claudius Gothicus? Well, he was only emperor for a couple of years, but he made his mark by repeatedly defeating barbarian tribes and setting the stage for Rome’s dominance in the region. His nickname, “Gothicus,” literally means “conqueror of the Goths,” and he earned it the hard way—on the battlefield.
While the Alemanni probably didn’t enjoy their day, January 26 cemented Claudius’s reputation as a leader who didn’t just sit on a throne—he earned it.
2. 1905: The Cullinan Diamond, AKA the King of All Bling, is Discovered
Now for something a little shinier. Imagine this: It’s a hot day in South Africa, and a miner named Frederick Wells is walking through the Premier Mine when he spots something massive sticking out of the ground. Spoiler alert: it’s the Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered, weighing an unbelievable 3,106 carats.
To put that in perspective, the Cullinan Diamond was the size of a human fist—and not a dainty one. People were stunned. Newspapers called it “the wonder of the age.” But what do you do with a diamond that big? You cut it, of course.
Joseph Asscher, a legendary diamond cutter, was brought in to do the job. Legend has it, he fainted after successfully splitting the diamond into several pieces. The largest cut, known as the Cullinan I or “Great Star of Africa,” now sits in the British Crown Jewels, specifically on the Sovereign’s Sceptre. Other pieces were turned into brooches, necklaces, and other royal accessories.
The Cullinan wasn’t just a diamond—it was history in crystalline form. And to this day, it remains the gold standard of bling.
3. 1934: Germany and Poland Make a Deal (That Doesn’t End Well)
Let’s talk politics. On January 26, 1934, Germany and Poland signed a non-aggression pact. It was a big deal because Europe was looking like a ticking time bomb. Adolf Hitler had just risen to power in Germany, and tensions between nations were running high.
The pact basically said, “Hey, let’s not attack each other for ten years.” On paper, it sounded great. But in reality? It was all smoke and mirrors. Hitler had no intention of keeping the peace. For him, the pact was a way to buy time and prevent Poland from teaming up with France or the Soviet Union against Germany.
Fast forward five years, and the whole thing came crashing down. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, kicking off World War II. The pact became a symbol of false promises and the brutal realities of geopolitics.
It’s a stark reminder that not all treaties are built to last—especially when dictators are involved.
4. 1945: Audie Murphy Becomes a One-Man Army
What were you doing at 19? Because Audie Murphy was out here becoming a literal war hero. On January 26, 1945, in the thick of World War II, Murphy pulled off one of the most insane acts of bravery in military history.
Here’s the scene: Murphy’s unit was under attack in Holtzwihr, France. They were massively outnumbered, and things were looking grim. But instead of retreating, Murphy jumped onto a burning tank destroyer, grabbed its machine gun, and started firing at the advancing German forces.
For an hour, Murphy held off wave after wave of enemy soldiers. He even called in artillery strikes on his own position to keep the Germans at bay. By the time reinforcements arrived, he’d killed or wounded over 50 enemy soldiers—single-handedly.
Murphy went on to become the most decorated American soldier of World War II, earning every major military honor the U.S. could give, including the Medal of Honor. He later became a Hollywood star, playing himself in To Hell and Back, a movie based on his life.
Audie Murphy didn’t just survive January 26—he owned it.
5. 1926: John Logie Baird Gives the World Its First Taste of TV
If you’re binge-watching Netflix right now, you’ve got John Logie Baird to thank. On January 26, 1926, Baird demonstrated the first working television system in London. And while it was far from HD, it was a glimpse into the future.
The system used a mechanical process to transmit images, which were blurry and barely recognizable. The first thing ever broadcast? A ventriloquist dummy’s face, because apparently that’s what 1926 found entertaining. Still, the audience was blown away.
Baird’s invention wasn’t perfect, but it laid the groundwork for modern television. By the 1930s, electronic TVs started to replace mechanical ones, and the rest is history.
From ventriloquist dummies to Super Bowl commercials, Baird’s work revolutionized entertainment—and January 26 became the day the world saw its first moving image on a screen.
6. 2004: NASA’s Opportunity Rover Finds a Mars Doughnut
Let’s finish with something out of this world—literally. On January 26, 2004, NASA’s Opportunity rover landed on Mars and immediately stirred up controversy. One of its first photos showed a strange, doughnut-shaped rock sitting on the Martian surface. Cue the internet going wild.
Conspiracy theorists were convinced it was proof of alien life. “It’s a Martian bagel!” they cried. “NASA is hiding the truth!” Scientists, however, had a much more boring explanation: the rock was likely debris kicked up by the rover’s own wheels.
But let’s be honest—where’s the fun in that? The “Mars Doughnut” became a pop culture phenomenon, sparking debates, memes, and plenty of sci-fi fantasies.
While it wasn’t proof of aliens, it was a reminder that space exploration is full of surprises. And who knows? Maybe the next doughnut-shaped rock will be the real deal.
2020: Billie Eilish Sweeps the Grammys Like a Total Boss
Let’s set the scene: January 26, 2020. The Grammys. The biggest night in music. All eyes are on the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and Billie Eilish—18 years old, rocking her signature oversized look and neon-green hair—is about to make history.
By the end of the night, Billie didn’t just win a few trophies—she cleaned house. She became the youngest artist ever to win all four major categories: Album of the Year (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Song of the Year (also “Bad Guy”), and Best New Artist. Oh, and she also picked up Best Pop Vocal Album, because why not?
Here’s the kicker: Billie wasn’t just the youngest to do it—she was the first artist to sweep all four since Christopher Cross in 1981. And no offense to Mr. Cross, but Billie did it while redefining the music industry with her haunting vocals, relatable lyrics, and DIY approach (shoutout to her brother Finneas, who produced the album in their childhood bedroom).
The best part? Billie’s reaction to all the wins. She was shocked, awkward, and totally relatable, even saying in her speech for Album of the Year, “Can I just say that Ariana [Grande] deserves this?” She didn’t expect the sweep, but the rest of us? We weren’t surprised. Billie was a generational talent—and January 26, 2020, was the night the world officially crowned her as such.
Talk about a flex.
The Takeaway
January 26 isn’t just a date—it’s a highlight reel of human history. From epic battles to groundbreaking inventions, it’s a day that reminds us of humanity’s ability to conquer, create, and occasionally stumble upon giant diamonds.
So the next time January 26 rolls around, take a moment to remember these stories. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll make history on this unforgettable date.
