Iran's president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that Israel should be 'wiped off the map'
Speaking at a conference in Tehran, Ahmadinejad's remarks sparked international condemnation and heightened tensions in the Middle East. The speech co...
October 26 in History
Significant events that happened on this day.
Historical Events
2005
2001
The USA PATRIOT Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush
MajorPassed just 45 days after the September 11 attacks, the act dramatically expanded law enforcement's surveillance and investigative powers. The legisla...
1994
Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty, ending 46 years of war
King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin signed the treaty at the Arava border crossing, with President Clinton in attendance....
1984
A baby girl known as 'Baby Fae' received a baboon heart transplant
The infant lived for 21 days with the baboon heart, making this the longest-surviving cross-species heart transplant at the time. While ultimately uns...
1979
South Korean President Park Chung-hee was assassinated by his own intelligence chief during a dinner party
MajorKim Jae-gyu, the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, shot Park during what was supposed to be a private dinner meeting. The assassinat...
1977
The last naturally occurring case of smallpox was diagnosed in Somalia
MajorAli Maow Maalin, a hospital cook, became the last person to naturally contract smallpox, marking a turning point in one of humanity's greatest medical...
1958
Pan Am made the first commercial transatlantic jet flight
The Boeing 707 flew from New York to Paris in just over 8 hours, cutting the previous travel time almost in half. This flight ushered in the Jet Age a...
1951
Winston Churchill returned as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at age 76
Despite suffering a stroke during his previous term and concerns about his age, Churchill led the Conservative Party to victory. He would serve until...
1881
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral took place in Tombstone, Arizona
MajorWyatt Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and Doc Holliday faced off against the Clanton-McLaury gang in a 30-second shootout that became legendary....
1863
The International Committee of the Red Cross was founded in Geneva
Inspired by Henry Dunant's experiences witnessing the Battle of Solferino, the organization established principles for neutral humanitarian aid during...
1825
The Erie Canal opened, connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean
MajorThis 363-mile engineering marvel transformed New York into America's commercial capital and cut transportation costs by 95%. The canal took eight year...
1774
The First Continental Congress adjourned in Philadelphia
After nearly two months of deliberation, delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies agreed to boycott British goods and petition King George III. This meeti...