February 26, 1815Napoleon and 1,200 of his men escape from the Island of Elba to start a 100-day re-conquest of France.

February 27, 1942The Battle of the Java Sea begins. Thirteen US warships are sunk, while Japan only loses two.

February 28, 1922Great Britain declares Egypt a sovereign state, but British troops remain.

March 1, 1896The Battle of Adowa begins in Ethiopia between the 80,000-strong-force of Negus Menelik, Emperor Menelik II, and 18-2