1. In 1829, Levi Strauss, the founder of the world-renowned clothing brand Levi's was born in Buttenheim, Bavaria. Strauss moved to New York City in 1847 and later moved to San Francisco, where he founded Levi Strauss & Co. in 1853.

2. The Brooklyn Navy Yard, one of the country's most important naval shipbuilding facilities during World War II, announced its closure on February 26, 1966, after over 150 years of operation. Today, the site has been converted into a commercial and industrial complex, attracting a number of businesses and startups.

3. On February 26, 1909, the Hudson River Tunnels, connecting Manhattan and New Jersey, were officially opened. The tunnels were designed to increase transportation capacity between the two areas and are still in use today.

4. One of the most notorious events in American history, the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping, occurred on February 26, 1932. Charles Lindbergh Jr., the 20-month-old son of aviator Charles Lindbergh, was kidnapped from his family's home in East Amwell Township, New Jersey. The case remains unsolved to this day.

5. On February 26, 1945, the famed New York City music venue, the Apollo Theater, held its first amateur night, which would become a regular feature at the venue. Over the years, amateur night has helped launch the careers of numerous legendary performers, including Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, and Michael Jackson.