Europa
- Vlad the Impaler Reclaims Wallachia (1476)
On November 26, 1476, Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler, defeated Basarab Laiotă with the help of Stephen the Great and Stephen V Báthory, becoming the ruler of Wallachia for the third time. This event is notable in Romanian and Eastern European history, as Vlad’s rule was marked by fierce resistance against Ottoman expansion and his controversial, brutal methods. - Pope Innocent X Condemns the Peace of Westphalia (1648)
On this day, Pope Innocent X officially condemned the Peace of Westphalia, the series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years’ War and significantly reshaped the political and religious map of Europe. The treaties are considered a foundation of the modern state system, but the papal condemnation highlighted ongoing religious tensions in Europe. - The Great Storm in England (1703)
A devastating storm struck southern England, flooding the Thames and Severn Rivers and resulting in the deaths of at least 8,000 people. This event is considered one of the most severe natural disasters in British history. - Opening of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Wales (1805)
Thomas Telford’s Pontcysyllte Aqueduct officially opened, becoming the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a significant feat of engineering in European industrial history. - Battle of Berezina During Napoleon’s Retreat (1812)
The Battle of Berezina began during Napoleon’s retreat from Russia, marking a crucial and tragic episode in the Napoleonic Wars. The crossing of the Berezina River resulted in heavy losses for the French army, symbolizing the disastrous end of Napoleon’s Russian campaign. - French Technological Milestones
France Launches Astérix Satellite (1965): France became the sixth country to launch an artificial satellite, marking its entry into the space age. - World’s First Tidal Power Station Opens in France (1966): The Rance Tidal Power Station in Brittany was inaugurated, becoming a pioneering project in renewable energy.
- World War II: V-2 Rocket Attack in London (1944)
A German V-2 rocket struck a Woolworth’s shop in New Cross, London, killing 168 people. This was one of the deadliest V-2 attacks on Britain during the war. - Brink’s-Mat Gold Heist, London (1983)
One of the most infamous robberies in British criminal history occurred when £26 million in gold, diamonds, and cash was stolen from a warehouse at Heathrow Airport. The stolen goods were never fully recovered.
America
- On November 26, 1789, President George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide Thanksgiving Day in the United States, marking a day of public thanksgiving and prayer for the new nation’s blessings and the adoption of the Constitution.
- President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, also designated November 26 as a national Thanksgiving Day, establishing the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on the final Thursday of November.
- 1825: The first college social fraternity in the U.S., Kappa Alpha Society, was founded at Union College in Schenectady, New York.
- 1832: The first horse-drawn streetcar carried passengers in New York City, marking a milestone in urban transportation.
- 1917: The National Hockey League (NHL) was formed in Montreal, Canada, succeeding the National Hockey Association and marking a new era in North American sports.
- 1941: U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull delivered the “Hull Note” to Japan, demanding withdrawal from China and French Indochina. This ultimatum was a critical moment leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Asia
- Mumbai Terror Attacks (2008)
On November 26, 2008, Mumbai, India, was struck by a series of coordinated terrorist attacks carried out by militants from the Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba. The attackers targeted luxury hotels, a popular restaurant, and a crowded train station, resulting in at least 175 deaths (including nine attackers) and hundreds injured. The siege lasted four days and had a profound impact on India and global counterterrorism efforts. - Adoption of the Indian Constitution (1949)
November 26 is observed as Constitution Day (National Law Day) in India, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1949. This foundational document came into effect on January 26, 1950, marking the birth of the Republic of India. - China Enters the Korean War (1950)
On this day in 1950, Chinese troops launched a massive counteroffensive against United Nations, U.S., and South Korean forces during the Korean War, marking a turning point in the conflict and ending hopes for a quick resolution. - Republic Day in Mongolia (1924)
Mongolia celebrates Republic Day on November 26, marking the proclamation of the Mongolian People’s Republic and the adoption of its first constitution in 1924. - International and Regional Observances
Kazakhstan marks several cultural milestones on this date, including International Information Day and International Shoemaker Day. In recent years, the inauguration of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also took place on November 26, 2022.
Africa
- Discovery of King Tutankhamun’s Tomb (1922)
On November 26, 1922, British archaeologist Howard Carter officially announced to the world the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. This find became one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, shedding new light on ancient Egyptian civilization and sparking global fascination with Egyptology. - Liberia: Thanksgiving Day
Liberia, founded by formerly enslaved people from the United States, observes Thanksgiving Day on the first Thursday of November, which sometimes falls on November 26. The holiday is similar in spirit to the American Thanksgiving and celebrates freedom and the nation’s founding. - African American History Connections
While not an African event per se, November 26, 1883, marks the death of Sojourner Truth, a prominent abolitionist and women’s rights activist who was born into slavery in New York. Her legacy is deeply connected to the African diaspora and the global struggle for Black liberation. - While many key African independence anniversaries and national holidays occur in November, none of the major independence days or revolutions fall specifically on November 26. However, the month is rich in commemorations across the continent, including Algeria’s Revolution Day (November 1), Angola’s Independence Day (November 11), and the Green March anniversary in Morocco (November 6).
This day in history: 26 november