Islamic history

On 26 January 661, Ali ibn Abi Talib was struck down during morning prayer by a former follower who couldn't forgive him for agreeing to negotiate. He was the last Rashidun caliph and the first Shia imam. His death split Islam in two.

On 25 January 750, the Abbasid rebels crushed the Umayyad Caliphate at the Battle of the Zab and then killed almost every member of the ruling dynasty. Almost. One prince swam a river and didn't look back — and built medieval Spain.