On This Day: October 26th

The Erie Canal opens, allowing direct passage from the Hudson River to Lake Erie.

War of 1812: A combined force of British regulars, Canadian militia and Mohawks defeat the United States Army in the Battle of the Chateauguay.

American Revolution: The First Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia.

General Enea Silvio Piccolomini of Austria burns down Skopje to prevent the spread of cholera; he dies of the disease soon afterwards.

The Treaty of Ripon is signed, restoring peace between Covenanter Scotland and King Charles I of England.

Imjin War: Korean Admiral Yi Sun-sin routs the Japanese Navy of 300 ships with only 13 ships at the Battle of Myeongnyang.

Charles V is crowned as Holy Roman Emperor.

Tvrtko I is crowned the first king of Bosnia.

The Byzantine civil war of 1341-1347 formally begins with the proclamation of John VI Kantakouzenos as Byzantine Emperor.

The Uprising of Asen and Peter begins on the feast day of St. Demetrius of Thessaloniki and ends with the creation of the Second Bulgarian Empire.