Europa
- Suez Canal Seized (1956)
On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, previously controlled by British and French interests. This act triggered the Suez Crisis, a major international conflict involving France and Britain, which had significant repercussions for European colonial influence and Cold War dynamics. - Birth of Louise Brown, the First Test-Tube Baby (1978)
On July 26, 1978, Louise Joy Brown was born in Oldham, England. She was the world’s first baby conceived via in vitro fertilization (IVF), a groundbreaking moment in medical history that took place in Europe and revolutionized fertility treatment worldwide. - The July Crisis and the Path to World War I (1914)
July 26, 1914, was a pivotal day during the July Crisis, the diplomatic standoff that led to World War I. While war had not yet been declared, Austria-Hungary had suspended civil liberties, pro-war demonstrations filled Vienna, and diplomatic tensions were at a breaking point. That day, Austria-Hungary rejected British mediation efforts and prepared for conflict, while Germany began considering military plans involving Belgium. The fate of Europe was being decided in these tense hours, setting the stage for the declaration of war just two days later.
America
- Establishment of the United States Postal System (1775)
The Second Continental Congress established the first United States Post Office on July 26, 1775, appointing Benjamin Franklin as the first postmaster general. This marked the formal beginning of the U.S. postal system. - New York Becomes the 11th State (1788)
On July 26, 1788, New York ratified the U.S. Constitution, becoming the eleventh state. This was a pivotal moment for the young nation, as New York’s acceptance was crucial for the Constitution’s success. - National Security Act Signed (1947)
President Harry S. Truman signed the National Security Act on July 26, 1947, reorganizing the U.S. military and intelligence agencies. The act created the Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the United States Air Force, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the National Security Council. - Desegregation of the U.S. Military (1948)
On July 26, 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, officially desegregating the U.S. armed forces. This was a landmark step in civil rights, mandating equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the military, regardless of race. - Americans with Disabilities Act Signed (1990)
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This groundbreaking legislation banned discrimination based on disability and significantly improved accessibility and rights for people with disabilities in the United States. - USS Indianapolis Delivers Atomic Bomb Components (1945)
On July 26, 1945, the USS Indianapolis arrived at Tinian Island carrying components for the “Little Boy” atomic bomb, which would later be dropped on Hiroshima. The ship’s subsequent sinking became one of the most tragic naval disasters in U.S. history. - Short Creek Raid (1953)
Arizona Governor John Howard Pyle ordered a crackdown on polygamy in Short Creek, Arizona, on July 26, 1953. Known as the Short Creek Raid, it was the largest mass arrest of men and women in modern American history. - Cuban Revolution Begins (1953)
On July 26, 1953, Fidel Castro led an attack on the Moncada Barracks in Cuba, marking the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. The revolutionary movement was named after this date: the “26th of July Movement”. - Americans with Disabilities Act Signed (1990)
The ADA, signed into law on this day, banned discrimination based on disability, transforming accessibility and civil rights for millions of Americans.
Asia
- Battle of Siffin (657)
On July 26, 657, the pivotal Battle of Siffin took place during the First Fitna, the first major civil war within the Islamic community. Troops led by Ali ibn Abu Talib clashed with those of Muawiyah I, governor of Syria. This battle, fought near the Euphrates River in present-day Syria, was a defining moment in early Islamic history and had lasting religious and political consequences for the Muslim world. - Emperor Krishnadevaraya Ascends the Vijayanagara Throne (1509)
On July 26, 1509, Krishnadevaraya became emperor of the Vijayanagara Empire in southern India. His reign marked a period of prosperity, military expansion, and cultural renaissance, often considered the golden age of the empire. - U.S. Freezes Japanese Assets (1941)
On July 26, 1941, in response to Japan’s expansion into French Indochina, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt froze all Japanese assets in the United States. This action effectively cut off Japan’s access to U.S. oil and escalated tensions that contributed to the outbreak of the Pacific War and the attack on Pearl Harbor later that year. - Independence of the Maldives (1965)
On July 26, 1965, the Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, gained independence from British rule after 78 years as a British protectorate. This marked a significant milestone in the decolonization of Asia. - Kargil Conflict Ends (1999)
On July 26, 1999, the Indian Army announced the complete eviction of Pakistani intruders from the Kargil region, officially ending the Kargil conflict. This military engagement between India and Pakistan was a significant episode in the ongoing Kashmir dispute. - Mumbai Floods (2005)
On July 26, 2005, Mumbai, India, experienced catastrophic rainfall, receiving 99.5 cm (39.17 inches) in 24 hours. The resulting floods killed over 5,000 people and caused massive disruption in one of Asia’s largest cities. - Ahmedabad Bombings (2008)
On July 26, 2008, a series of bomb blasts struck Ahmedabad, India, killing 56 people and injuring over 200. The attacks were part of a wave of urban terrorism that affected several Indian cities in the 2000s.
Africa
- Liberia’s Independence (1847)
On July 26, 1847, Liberia declared its independence, becoming the first African republic to do so. Founded primarily by freed slaves from the United States, Liberia’s constitution was modeled after that of the U.S., and its capital, Monrovia, was named after U.S. President James Monroe. Joseph Jenkins Roberts became the nation’s first president. This event marked a significant milestone in African and global history as a symbol of self-governance and the fight against colonialism. - Suez Canal Nationalization (1956)
On July 26, 1956, Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, previously controlled by British and French interests. This bold move sparked the Suez Crisis, a major international conflict that had lasting impacts on Egypt, Africa, and the broader post-colonial world. The event is seen as a defining moment in the assertion of African sovereignty and the decline of European colonial influence on the continent. - King Farouk Abdicates (1952)
On July 26, 1952, King Farouk I of Egypt abdicated the throne following a military coup led by the Free Officers Movement. His abdication marked the end of the monarchy in Egypt and paved the way for the establishment of a republic, fundamentally changing the nation’s political landscape.
This day in history: 26 july