Europa
- King Alfred the Great Dies (899)
King Alfred the Great, ruler of Wessex, died on October 26, 899. He is celebrated for defending the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms against Viking invasions and for significant reforms in education and law. His death marked the end of an era in English history, and he was succeeded by his son, Edward the Elder. - Execution of Gilles de Rais (1440)
On this day, Gilles de Rais, a French knight and former companion of Joan of Arc, was executed in France. His trial and execution for murder, heresy, and other crimes became one of the most infamous cases in medieval Europe. - Coronation of Charles V as Holy Roman Emperor (1520)
Charles V was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in Aachen Cathedral. His reign would be marked by the Protestant Reformation and significant political and religious upheaval across Europe. - Treaty of Ripon Signed (1640)
The Treaty of Ripon was signed between King Charles I of England and the Scottish Covenanters. This treaty ceded Northumberland and County Durham to the Scots as an interim measure, reflecting the turbulent relationship between England and Scotland at the time. - Dissolution of the French National Convention (1795)
The National Convention, which governed France during the radical phase of the French Revolution, was dissolved on this day, paving the way for the rise of the Directory. - Meeting at Teano (1860)
In Italy, the Expedition of the Thousand ended when Giuseppe Garibaldi presented his conquests to King Victor Emmanuel II at Teano, a key moment in the unification of Italy. - Austria Declares Perpetual Neutrality (1955)
Austria officially declared its perpetual neutrality, a defining moment in its post-World War II history and a cornerstone of its modern foreign policy. - Birth of François Mitterrand (1916)
François Mitterrand, who would later become President of France, was born on October 26, 1916. - Formation of the Football Association (England, 1863): The Football Association, which standardized the rules of football (soccer), was founded in England.
- Royal Charter Storm (British Isles, 1859): A devastating storm killed at least 800 people in the British Isles.
America
- The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1881)
On October 26, 1881, the legendary Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place in Tombstone, Arizona. Lawmen Wyatt Earp, his brothers, and Doc Holliday confronted the Clanton-McLaury gang in a shootout that lasted about 30 seconds. This event became a symbol of the struggle between lawlessness and order in the American West and cemented the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday as iconic figures in frontier history. - The Erie Canal Opens (1825)
The Erie Canal, connecting Lake Erie in Buffalo, New York, to the Hudson River in Albany, officially opened on this day. The 363-mile canal revolutionized transportation and commerce in the United States, lowering shipping costs and accelerating settlement and economic growth in the Midwest. - USA PATRIOT Act Signed (2001)
In response to the September 11 attacks, President George W. Bush signed the USA PATRIOT Act into law on October 26, 2001. The act expanded the powers of U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies to monitor, investigate, and prevent terrorism, sparking ongoing debate over civil liberties. - 1774: The First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia, marking a pivotal moment in the buildup to the American Revolution.
- 1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history, ended in a decisive American victory over Japanese forces during World War II.
- 1984: Baby Fae became the first infant to receive a heart transplant from another species (a baboon) in California, a pioneering but ultimately unsuccessful medical procedure.
Asia
- Accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India (1947)
On October 26, 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh, the ruler of Jammu & Kashmir, signed the Instrument of Accession, formally integrating the princely state into the newly independent Dominion of India. This was a pivotal event during the chaotic aftermath of the Partition of India and Pakistan, as tribal forces backed by Pakistan invaded Kashmir, prompting the Maharaja to seek Indian military assistance in exchange for accession. The decision has had lasting geopolitical consequences and is commemorated annually as Accession Day in Jammu and Kashmir. - Assassination of South Korean President Park Chung Hee (1979)
South Korean President Park Chung Hee was assassinated on this day by Kim Jae-gyu, the head of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency. Park’s death ended 18 years of authoritarian rule and led to significant political upheaval in South Korea. - Assassination of Itō Hirobumi in Korea (1909)
On October 26, 1909, Korean nationalist An Jung-geun assassinated Itō Hirobumi, the Japanese Resident-General of Korea, at the Harbin railway station. This act was a protest against Japanese colonial rule and is a significant event in Korean resistance history. - Crowning of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi in Iran (1967)
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi crowned himself Emperor (Shahanshah) of Iran in a lavish ceremony, symbolizing the consolidation of his regime and the modernization drive in Iran. - Cholera Epidemic in Kolkata (1934): A severe cholera outbreak in Kolkata (then Calcutta), India, killed over 2,100 people in the third week of October.
- Mother Teresa Founds Missionaries of Charity (1950): Mother Teresa established the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, an organization that would become globally renowned for its humanitarian work.
- Kazakhstan Events: On October 26, 1964, Kazakhstan established a major medical institute in Tselinograd (now Astana), reflecting the region’s development during the Soviet era.
Africa
- Last Natural Case of Smallpox Discovered in Somalia (1977)
On October 26, 1977, the last known natural case of smallpox was diagnosed in Ali Maow Maalin, a hospital cook in Merca, Somalia. This marked a historic turning point in global health, leading to the official declaration of smallpox eradication, one of humanity’s greatest public health achievements. - Italy Recognizes Ethiopia’s Independence (1896)
On this day in 1896, Italy formally recognized Ethiopia’s independence, following its defeat at the Battle of Adwa earlier that year. This recognition was a pivotal moment in African resistance to colonialism and established Ethiopia as a symbol of African sovereignty. - Sounds of Africa Concert Series: While not a historical event, October 26 is sometimes marked by cultural celebrations such as the Sounds of Africa concert series, highlighting the continent’s rich musical heritage.
- African Diaspora: On October 26, 1911, Mahalia Jackson, a legendary gospel singer whose roots trace back to the African diaspora, was born. While her impact was primarily in the United States, her legacy is celebrated in African and African-descended communities worldwide.
This day in history: 26 october