THURSDAY, Feb. 5, 2026

1576-Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours

1597-A group of early Japanese Christians, known as the 26 Martyrs, are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society

1885-King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as his personal colonial possession

1885-News of the fall of Khartoum reaches London

1924-First Winter Olympic Games close at Chamonix, France

1945-WWII: U.S. troops under General Douglas MacArthur enter Manila in the Philippines after a month-long battle, ending three years of Japanese military occupation

1969-United States population reaches 200 million

1992-Jury selection begins in the trial of Los Angeles police charged with beating Rodney King