May 26 in History

Significant events that happened on this day.

Historical Events

2016

A gorilla named Harambe was shot at the Cincinnati Zoo after a child fell into his enclosure

The incident sparked massive international controversy about zoo safety and animal rights, with some defending the zoo's decision and others condemnin...

1998

The Supreme Court ruled that Ellis Island belongs mostly to New Jersey, not New York

In a bizarre territorial dispute between states, the court determined that while the original 3.3 acres belong to New York, the 24.2 acres added by la...

1977

George Willig climbed the South Tower of the World Trade Center using homemade climbing gear

The 'Human Fly' scaled the 110-story building in 3.5 hours while police waited helplessly at the top. He was arrested and fined $1.10—one cent per flo...

1972

President Nixon and Soviet leader Brezhnev signed the SALT I treaty

Major

The Strategic Arms Limitation Talks resulted in the first agreement between the superpowers to limit nuclear weapons. This historic accord marked a th...

1969

Apollo 10 astronauts returned safely to Earth after a dress rehearsal for the moon landing

The crew flew to within 8.4 nautical miles of the lunar surface, closer than any humans had been before, testing all procedures except the actual land...

1938

The House Un-American Activities Committee was established

Major

HUAC was created to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities by private citizens, public employees, and organizations suspected of hav...

1927

Ford Motor Company produced its 15 millionth Model T automobile

Major

After 19 years of production, Ford celebrated this milestone before announcing the Model T would be discontinued. The Model T had revolutionized trans...

1923

The first 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race was held in France

Thirty-three cars started the inaugural race, which was designed to test both automotive reliability and driver stamina. The winning car averaged just...

1907

John Wayne was born in Winterset, Iowa

Born Marion Robert Morrison, he would become one of Hollywood's biggest stars and an enduring icon of American masculinity. Despite his tough-guy imag...

1897

Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' was published in London

Major

The Irish author's Gothic horror novel introduced Count Dracula to the world, creating the template for modern vampire fiction. The book was initially...

1868

The impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson ended with his acquittal by one vote

Major

Johnson became the first U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives. The Senate fell just one vote short of the two-thirds majorit...

1865

The Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi became the last major Southern force to surrender, ending the Civil War

General Edmund Kirby Smith surrendered his command in Galveston, Texas, more than a month after Lee's surrender at Appomattox. Some Confederate soldie...

1647

A new law in Massachusetts required every town of 50+ families to hire a schoolteacher

Known as the 'Old Deluder Satan Law,' the Puritan legislation mandated public education to ensure children could read the Bible and resist Satan's dec...