This day in history: 26 september

Europa

• European Day of Languages
  Since 2001, September 26 has been celebrated as the European Day of Languages, established by the Council of Europe. The day promotes language learning, linguistic diversity, and intercultural understanding across Europe. Events are held in many countries to encourage people of all ages to learn new languages and appreciate Europe’s rich cultural heritage.
• 1687: The Parthenon in Athens, used as an Ottoman gunpowder depot, was severely damaged during a Venetian bombardment in the Morean War.
• 1687: The city council of Amsterdam voted to support William of Orange’s invasion of England, a key step toward the Glorious Revolution, which led to the overthrow of King James II and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the English throne.
• 1810: Sweden adopted the Act of Succession, making Jean Baptiste Bernadotte heir to the Swedish throne, a significant moment in Swedish constitutional history.
• 1917: The Battle of Polygon Wood began near Ypres, Belgium, as part of World War I, resulting in an Allied victory.
• 1918: The Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest American-led offensive of World War I, began on the Western Front, leading to the eventual surrender of German forces.
• 1923: The German government ended passive resistance to French and Belgian occupation of the Ruhr, a pivotal moment in the Weimar Republic’s response to post-WWI occupation.
• 1880: AGF Aarhus, a major Danish football club, was founded.
• 1908: SK Brann Bergen, a prominent Norwegian football club, was established.
• 1926: Ullevaal Stadion, Norway’s national football stadium, was inaugurated in Oslo.
• 1580: Sir Francis Drake completed his circumnavigation of the globe, returning to Plymouth, England.
• 1953: Sugar rationing ended in the United Kingdom, marking the end of a post-war austerity measure.
• 1973: Concorde made its first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic, setting a new speed record.

America

• 1777: British troops occupied Philadelphia during the American Revolution, forcing the Second Continental Congress to flee the city.
• 1786: Shays’ Rebellion began as protestors shut down the court in Springfield, Massachusetts, marking the first armed internal conflict in post-revolutionary America.
• 1789: President George Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson as the first U.S. Secretary of State.
• 1914: The United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) was established by the Federal Trade Commission Act, creating an agency responsible for consumer and market protection.
• 1960: The first-ever televised U.S. presidential debate took place between John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon, watched by an estimated 85 to 120 million viewers. This event marked a turning point in American political communication and media.
• 1969: The iconic TV show “The Brady Bunch” aired its first episode.

Asia

• Typhoon Vera Devastates Japan (1959)
  On September 26, 1959, Typhoon Vera, the strongest typhoon in Japan’s recorded history, made landfall. Classified as a Category 5 storm, Vera caused catastrophic destruction, resulting in approximately 4,580 deaths and leaving nearly 1.6 million people homeless. The storm’s powerful winds and flooding led to widespread devastation, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Japanese history.
• Gandhiji’s Fast and Indian Social Reform (1932)
  On this day in 1932, Mahatma Gandhi ended his fast after the British colonial government accepted his demands regarding the rights of the Harijans (Dalits). This event marked a significant moment in India’s struggle for social justice and the rights of marginalized communities.
• Indonesia Joins the United Nations (1950)
  Indonesia officially became a member of the United Nations on September 26, 1950, marking a milestone in the country’s emergence as an independent nation on the global stage after gaining independence from Dutch colonial rule.

Africa

• 1992: Nigerian Air Force C-130 Crash
  On September 26, 1992, a Nigerian Air Force C-130 transport plane crashed in Ejigbo near Lagos shortly after takeoff, tragically killing all 163 people on board. This remains one of the deadliest air disasters in Nigeria’s history and had a significant impact on the country’s military and aviation safety protocols.
• 2009: Second South America-Africa Summit (ASA)
  On September 26, 2009, the Second South America-Africa Summit (ASA) began on Isla Margarita. The summit brought together 30 African and South American leaders, representing 60 countries, to discuss cooperation and partnership between the two continents on political, economic, and social issues.