Open Data Insights

Looking Ahead: What February 2026 Has in Store

Published: February 1, 2026 · Period: 2026-02-01 – 2026-02-28

In February, Basel commemorates a significant historical event from 1926. On the 22nd and 23rd of February that year, the citizens of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft voted in favor of a proposal to reunite the two half-cantons. This event marks its 100th anniversary this year. For more information, you can visit the detailed account at this link.

The following tables present notable Basel personalities whose birth or death anniversaries fall in the current month, along with a selection of events that are upcoming or ongoing. The event list is derived from an opendata-bs dataset on events and holidays/vacation days relevant to traffic, and does not represent a complete overview of all events taking place in Basel this month.

Table 1: Birthday Date of notable Figures from Basel for February

Person	Birthday	Description	Years Ago
Hakan Yakin	1977-02-22	Hakan Yakin, born on February 22, 1977, in Basel, Switzerland, is a former professional football player and current head coach of FC Schaffhausen. He began his career at FC Basel, where he made a significant impact, including scoring on his debut and contributing to the team's success in the Swiss league and cup. Yakin, who has represented Switzerland internationally, is also known for his familial ties to Basel, as he grew up in the region and is the younger brother of fellow footballer Murat Yakin. born in Basel	49
Nikolaus II Bernoulli	1695-02-06	Nicolaus II Bernoulli, born on February 6, 1695, in Basel, was a notable Swiss mathematician from the esteemed Bernoulli family, which included his father Johann and brother Daniel. He studied mathematics and law at the University of Basel, earning his Master's and Doctorate before contributing significantly to fields like curves and fluid dynamics, and later serving as a professor in various institutions. His promising career was tragically cut short when he died in Saint Petersburg in 1726, shortly after being invited to join the newly established academy there. born in Basel	331
Albian Ajeti	1997-02-26	Albian Ajeti, born on February 26, 1997, is a Swiss professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for FC Basel, marking his return to the club where he began his youth career in 2005. He had two successful spells at Basel, winning multiple championships and becoming the league's top scorer during his time there, before moving on to clubs like West Ham United and Celtic. Ajeti's connection to Basel is significant, as he not only developed his skills there but also achieved notable success, including a Swiss Cup victory in 2019, before rejoining the club in February 2024. born in Basel	29
Albert Scherrer	1908-02-28	Albert Scherrer was a Swiss racing driver born on 28 February 1908 in Riehen, a suburb of Basel. He competed in the 1953 Swiss Grand Prix, where he finished unclassified, 16 laps down, and did not score any championship points. Scherrer passed away in Basel on 5 July 1986, highlighting his lifelong connection to the city. died in Basel	118
Werner Kaegi	1901-02-26	Werner Kaegi (1901–1979) was a prominent Swiss historian renowned for his extensive biography of Jacob Burkhardt, published in seven volumes between 1947 and 1982. His scholarly contributions are closely tied to Basel, where Burkhardt was a significant figure, and Kaegi's work reflects the city's rich intellectual heritage. Additionally, his personal life intertwined with notable figures such as his wife, mystic Adrienne von Speyr, and theologian Hans Urs von Balthasar, further connecting him to Basel's cultural milieu. worked in Basel	125
Robert Habsburg	1915-02-08	Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este, was born on February 8, 1915, as the second son of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma. He became the Archduke of Austria-Este at the age of two, inheriting a title linked to the historical Duchy of Modena, which has connections to the Habsburg-Lorraine family and the city of Basel. Robert married Princess Margherita of Savoy-Aosta in 1953 and had five children, continuing the legacy of the Este lineage. died in Basel	111
Nicolas Fatio de Duillier	1664-02-26	Nicolas Fatio de Duillier was a Swiss mathematician and natural philosopher born in Basel in 1664, who made significant contributions to astronomy and gravitation theory. Although he spent much of his life in England and Holland, his early education in Basel and his scientific collaborations, particularly with Giovanni Domenico Cassini and Isaac Newton, highlight his Swiss roots. Fatio's work on the zodiacal light and his invention of the integrating factor for solving differential equations underscore his lasting impact on mathematics and physics, despite facing challenges due to his extreme religious views later in life. born in Basel	362
Ernst Carl Gerlach Stückelberg	1905-02-01	Ernst Carl Gerlach Stueckelberg, born in Basel in 1905, was a prominent Swiss mathematician and physicist known for his significant contributions to theoretical physics, including the exchange particle model and the renormalization group. He began his studies at the University of Basel and later returned to work there before moving to other Swiss institutions, where he developed groundbreaking theories that were often overlooked during his lifetime. Stueckelberg's legacy is honored in Basel and beyond, with a street named after him at CERN and recognition of his work at the University of Geneva. born in Basel	121
Daniel Bernoulli	1700-02-08	Daniel Bernoulli was a Swiss mathematician and physicist born into the prominent Bernoulli family in Groningen, who later settled in Basel. Renowned for his contributions to fluid mechanics and probability, he is best known for Bernoulli's principle, which underpins critical technologies like carburetors and airplane wings. Throughout his career, Bernoulli held various academic positions at the University of Basel, where he made significant advancements in mathematics and natural philosophy until his death in 1782. worked in Basel	326
Arthur Cohn	1927-02-04	Arthur Cohn (1927–2025) was a renowned Swiss film producer, celebrated for winning multiple Academy Awards, including six Oscars for his films. Born into a Jewish family with deep roots in Basel—his grandfather was the first chief rabbi of the city—Cohn maintained strong ties to Basel throughout his life, even receiving an honorary degree from the University of Basel in 2006. He split his time between Basel and Los Angeles, where he was known for his hands-on approach to film production, leaving a lasting legacy in the cinematic world. born in Basel	99
Karl Jaspers	1883-02-23	Karl Theodor Jaspers (1883–1969) was a prominent German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher whose work significantly impacted modern theology and psychiatry. After fleeing Nazi persecution, he moved to Basel in 1948, where he continued to develop his philosophical ideas, particularly on existentialism and the nature of mental illness, until his death. Jaspers' influential writings, including "General Psychopathology," laid the groundwork for contemporary psychiatric practices and emphasized the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of patients. died in Basel	143

Table 2: Death Anniversaries of Notable Figures from Basel in February

Person	Day of Death	Description	Years Ago
Ferenc Fricsay	1963-02-20	Ferenc Fricsay was a renowned Hungarian conductor, born in Budapest in 1914, who became a significant figure in the classical music scene, particularly noted for his interpretations of Mozart and Beethoven. He spent his final years in Basel, Switzerland, where he passed away in 1963, and his legacy continues through his recordings and the memorial grave site established for him and his family. Fricsay's career was marked by his innovative conducting style and his commitment to employing diverse musical talents, even in the face of adversity during World War II. died in Basel	63
Franciscus Hotomanus	1590-02-12	François Hotman (1524–1590) was a prominent French lawyer and writer known for his opposition to absolute monarchy and his contributions to 16th-century jurisprudence. After fleeing France due to religious persecution, he settled in Basel in 1579, where he continued his scholarly work and ultimately passed away. His influential writings, including "Franco-Gallia," advocated for representative government and left a lasting impact on legal thought, reflecting his deep connection to the intellectual circles of Basel. died in Basel	436
Robert Habsburg	1996-02-07	Robert, Archduke of Austria-Este, was born on February 8, 1915, as the second son of Charles I, the last Emperor of Austria-Hungary, and Princess Zita of Bourbon-Parma. He became the Archduke of Austria-Este at the age of two, inheriting a title linked to the historical Duchy of Modena, which has connections to the Habsburg-Lorraine family and the city of Basel. Robert married Princess Margherita of Savoy-Aosta in 1953 and had five children, continuing the legacy of the Este lineage. died in Basel	30
Paul Barth	1974-02-01	Paul Barth (9 May 1921 – February 1974) was a Swiss fencer from Basel who achieved notable success by winning a bronze medal in the team épée event at the 1952 Summer Olympics. His contributions to fencing in Switzerland highlight the city's connection to the sport on an international level. died in Basel	52
Vaçe Zela	2014-02-06	Vaçe Zela (1939–2014) was a prominent Albanian singer and songwriter, celebrated as one of the most influential musicians in the Balkans. Born in Lushnjë and raised in Tirana, she gained fame after winning the inaugural Festivali i Këngës in 1962, a competition that significantly shaped her career and the Albanian music scene. Her legacy is marked by numerous awards and her deep connection to the cultural fabric of Albania, which resonates with audiences in Basel and beyond. died in Basel	12
Karl Jaspers	1969-02-26	Karl Theodor Jaspers (1883–1969) was a prominent German-Swiss psychiatrist and philosopher whose work significantly impacted modern theology and psychiatry. After fleeing Nazi persecution, he moved to Basel in 1948, where he continued to develop his philosophical ideas, particularly on existentialism and the nature of mental illness, until his death. Jaspers' influential writings, including "General Psychopathology," laid the groundwork for contemporary psychiatric practices and emphasized the importance of understanding the subjective experiences of patients. died in Basel	57

Table 3: What’s On in Basel in February

Event	Category	Start Event	End Event	Duration
Charivari	Kultur und Unterhaltung	2026-01-24	2026-02-07	15
Fasnachtsmittwoch	Ferien	2026-02-25	2026-02-25	1
Fasnachtsmontag	Ferien	2026-02-23	2026-02-23	1
FC Basel Meisterschaft & CH-Cup	Sport	2026-02-01	2026-02-01	1
Konzerte St.Jakobs-Halle & allg. Events	Kultur und Unterhaltung	2026-02-28	2026-03-01	2

Data source: wikidata, altbasel.ch, Veranstaltungen mit potenziellem Einfluss auf Veloverkehr

🤖 This text was generated with the assistance of AI. All quantitative statements are derived directly from the dataset listed under Data Source.

Open Data Insight of the Day

Looking Ahead: What February 2026 Has in Store

Table 1: Birthday Date of notable Figures from Basel for February

Table 2: Death Anniversaries of Notable Figures from Basel in February

Table 3: What’s On in Basel in February