Europa
- Battle of Crécy (1346)
One of the most significant battles of the Hundred Years’ War, the Battle of Crécy took place on August 26, 1346. English forces led by Edward III and his son, Edward the Black Prince, decisively defeated the French army under King Philip VI. The battle is notable for the effective use of the English longbow, which established English military supremacy over the French combination of crossbowmen and armored knights. - Joan of Arc Reaches Paris (1429)
On August 26, 1429, Joan of Arc and her soldiers arrived on the outskirts of Paris as part of Charles VII’s campaign to drive the English from French territory. Although the subsequent assault on Paris was unsuccessful, this event was a key moment in the later stages of the Hundred Years’ War. - Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)
On August 26, 1789, the French National Constituent Assembly approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen at the Palace of Versailles. This foundational document of the French Revolution proclaimed liberty, equality, and fraternity as universal rights, deeply influencing both French and global human rights movements. - Liberation of Paris (1944)
On August 26, 1944, French General Charles de Gaulle led a victory march through Paris, which had just been liberated from Nazi occupation by Allied forces. Despite the threat of German snipers, de Gaulle’s march symbolized the restoration of French sovereignty and was a pivotal moment in World War II’s European theater. - Julius Caesar’s Invasion of Britain (55 BC): Caesar crossed the English Channel to invade Britain, marking the first Roman incursion into the British Isles.
- Battle of Manzikert (1071): The Seljuk Turks defeated the Byzantine army, effectively ending Byzantine dominance in Asia Minor.
- Battle of Tannenberg (1914): During World War I, German forces defeated the Russian Second Army, a decisive engagement early in the conflict.
- The Holocaust in Ukraine (1942): On August 26, 1942, German and Ukrainian police deported 2,000 Jews from Chortkiv to the Bełżec extermination camp, with 500 of the sick and children murdered on the spot.
America
- 19th Amendment Certified: Women’s Right to Vote (1920)
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was certified, granting American women the right to vote. This landmark achievement in the women’s suffrage movement is commemorated annually as Women’s Equality Day in the United States. - National Dog Day
August 26 is celebrated as National Dog Day in the United States, founded in 2004 to promote dog adoption and recognize the important role dogs play in people’s lives. - First Televised Major League Baseball Game (1939)
The first televised professional baseball game in the U.S. took place on August 26, 1939, featuring the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds, marking a significant moment in sports broadcasting history. - National Park Service Established (1916)
The U.S. National Park Service was created on August 26, 1916, to manage and protect the country’s national parks and monuments, shaping the conservation of America’s natural heritage. - Thurgood Marshall Confirmed to Supreme Court (1967)
On this day in 1967, Thurgood Marshall was confirmed as the first African-American Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, a major milestone in American civil rights history. - Hurricane Andrew Hits Florida (1992)
Hurricane Andrew, one of the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history, made landfall in South Florida on August 26, 1992, causing extensive damage and loss of life. - In 1980, the FBI inadvertently detonated a bomb at Harvey’s Resort Hotel in Nevada during an attempt to defuse it after a failed extortion attempt.
- On August 26, 2009, Jaycee Dugard was discovered alive in California after being missing for over 18 years.
- On August 26, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at a Madden NFL video game tournament in Jacksonville, Florida.
- On August 26, 2015, two journalists were shot and killed during a live broadcast in Moneta, Virginia.
Asia
- Battle of al-Harrah (683)
On August 26, 683, Yazid I’s army killed approximately 11,000 people in Medina, including notable Sahabas, during the Battle of al-Harrah. This was a significant and tragic event in early Islamic history, reflecting the intense conflicts of the period. - Alauddin Khilji Captures Chittorgarh (1303)
Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Khilji Dynasty in India, attacked and captured the historic fort of Chittorgarh on August 26, 1303. This victory marked a major expansion of Khilji power in northern India and is remembered for its impact on Rajput resistance and folklore. - Bengali Revolutionaries Seize Arms (1914)
On this day in 1914, Bengali revolutionaries in India intercepted a shipment of 50 Mauser pistols and 46,000 rounds of ammunition at Kolkata airport. This event was part of the broader Indian independence movement against British colonial rule. - Chinese Civil War: Huaiyin–Huai’an Campaign and Battle of Yinji (1945)
August 26, 1945, saw the beginning of the Huaiyin–Huai’an Campaign and the Battle of Yinji during the Chinese Civil War, marking renewed conflict between Communist and Nationalist forces in China after World War II. - Violence After Conviction of Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (2017)
In India, violent clashes erupted on August 26, 2017, after the conviction of spiritual leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh. The unrest in Panchkula led to 31 deaths and over 100 injuries, highlighting the influence of religious leaders and the volatility of mass mobilization. - Mother Teresa’s Birth (1910)
Mother Teresa, born on August 26, 1910, in Skopje (then part of the Ottoman Empire, now North Macedonia), became an iconic figure in India and worldwide for her humanitarian work with the poor in Kolkata. - In 1937, Japan blockaded all Chinese shipping, escalating the Second Sino-Japanese War and intensifying the conflict in East Asia.
- August 26, 1883, marked the catastrophic eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia, one of the most powerful volcanic events in recorded history, with global climatic and human impacts.
Africa
- Abolition of Slavery in Ethiopia (1942)
On August 26, 1942, Emperor Haile Selassie officially abolished slavery in the Ethiopian Empire. This marked a significant turning point in Ethiopian and African history, as Ethiopia was one of the last countries on the continent to formally end the practice of slavery. - Start of the Namibian War of Independence (1966)
The Namibian War of Independence, also known as the South African Border War, began on August 26, 1966. The conflict started with a battle at Omugulugwombashe between South African forces and members of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO). This date is now commemorated as Heroes’ Day in Namibia, celebrating the country’s struggle for independence, which was achieved in 1990. - First Commercial Air Service in South Africa (1929)
On August 26, 1929, South Africa introduced its first commercial air service, a milestone in the development of transportation and communication within the country. - Impact of the Krakatoa Eruption (1883)
While the eruption of Krakatoa occurred in Indonesia, its effects were felt as far away as Africa. On August 26, 1883, the volcano’s massive explosion caused tsunamis that rocked ships along the South African coast, demonstrating the global impact of natural disasters in the region.
This day in history: 26 august