TODAY IN HISTORY: MARCH 26

 

March 26

March 26 is a significant date in history as it marks several important events and landmarks. From historical battles to scientific breakthroughs, this day holds a special place in the trajectory of human civilization. Let's delve into some of the significant events that occurred on March 26.

One of the earliest recorded events on this day dates back to the year 1027 when Pope John XIX crowned Conrad II as the Holy Roman Emperor. This event marked a significant moment in Europe's history as it solidified the relationship between the papacy and the German Empire, shaping politics in the continent for centuries to come.

Moving forward in time to March 26, 1562, we find ourselves in the midst of the French Wars of Religion. This conflict, which lasted from 1562 to 1598, was marked by intense religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants in France. On this day, the Edict of Saint-Germain was signed, granting certain religious freedoms to the Huguenots (French Protestants) and bringing temporary peace to the region.

Fast forward to March 26, 1830, and we arrive at the birth of French painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot. Known for his landscape paintings, Corot's work greatly influenced the development of Impressionism and played a crucial role in the transition from the traditional academic style to a more experimental and expressive approach in art.

In the realm of science, March 26, 1872, holds a special place. It was on this day that English physician Sir John Scott Burdon-Sanderson successfully introduced sterilized air to prevent the contamination of a bacterial culture. This groundbreaking experiment laid the foundation for aseptic techniques and revolutionized the field of microbiology, improving medical practices and reducing the spread of diseases.

Now, let's jump to the year 1979 when the Camp David Accords were signed between Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin under the mediation of US President Jimmy Carter. These accords were a monumental step towards peace in the Middle East and constituted the first-ever peace treaty between Israel and an Arab state, setting an example for future negotiations.

On a different note, March 26 also witnessed some unfortunate events in recent history. One such incident was the 2010 sinking of the South Korean naval vessel Cheonan. It was on this day that the ship tragically sank, resulting in the deaths of 46 sailors. An investigation concluded that the vessel was sunk by a North Korean torpedo, increasing the tensions between the two nations.

Finally, in the realm of pop culture, March 26, 2005, marks the debut of the British TV series \Doctor Who,\ which returned to screens after a 16-year hiatus. The revival of this iconic sci-fi series became a resounding success, captivating audiences worldwide with its imaginative storytelling and endearing characters.

In conclusion, March 26 is an eventful day filled with historical milestones, scientific achievements, and cultural moments. From the crowning of an emperor to the signing of peace treaties, this date reminds us of the intricate tapestry of human existence and how events on this day have shaped our world.

Here are some more:

590 – Emperor Maurice proclaims his son Theodosius as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire.

1021 – On the feast of Eid al-Adha, the death of the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, kept secret for six weeks, is announced, along with the succession of his son, al-Zahir li-i'zaz Din Allah. On the same day, al-Hakim's designated heir, Abd al-Rahim ibn Ilyas, is arrested in Damascus and brought to Egypt.

1027 – Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor.

1169 – Saladin becomes the emir of Egypt.

1344 – The Siege of Algeciras, one of the first European military engagements where gunpowder was used, comes to an end.

1351 – Combat of the Thirty: Thirty Breton knights call out and defeat thirty English knights.

1484 – William Caxton prints his translation of Aesop's Fables.

1552 – Guru Amar Das becomes the Third Sikh guru.

1636 – Utrecht University is founded in the Netherlands.

1640 – The Royal Academy of Turku, the first university of Finland, is founded in the city of Turku by Queen Christina of Sweden at the proposal of Count Per Brahe.

1651 – Silver-loaded Spanish ship San José is pushed south by strong winds, subsequently it wrecks in the coast of southern Chile and its surviving crew is killed by indigenous Cuncos.

1697 – Safavid government troops take control of Basra.

1700 – William Dampier is the first European to circumnavigate New Britain, discovering it is an island (which he names Nova Britannia) rather than part of New Guinea.

1812 – An earthquake devastates Caracas, Venezuela.

1812 – A political cartoon in the Boston Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection.

1830 – The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York.

1839 – The first Henley Royal Regatta is held.

1871 – The elections of Commune council of the Paris Commune are held.

1885 – The Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel begin the North-West Rebellion against Canada.

1896 – An explosion at the Brunner Mine near Greymouth, New Zealand kills 65 coal miners in the country's worst industrial accident.

1913 – First Balkan War: Bulgarian forces capture Adrianople.

1915 – The Vancouver Millionaires win the 1915 Stanley Cup Finals, the first championship played between the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association.

1917 – World War I: First Battle of Gaza: British troops are halted after 17,000 Turks block their advance.

1922 – The German Social Democratic Party is founded in Poland.

1931 – Swissair is founded as the national airline of Switzerland.

1931 – Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union is founded in Vietnam.

1934 – The United Kingdom driving test is introduced.

1939 – Spanish Civil War: Nationalists begin their final offensive of the war.

1942 – World War II: The first female prisoners arrive at Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland.

1945 – World War II: The Battle of Iwo Jima ends as the island is officially secured by American forces.

1954 – Nuclear weapons testing: The Romeo shot of Operation Castle is detonated at Bikini Atoll. Yield: 11 megatons.

1958 – The United States Army launches Explorer 3.

1958 – The African Regroupment Party is launched at a meeting in Paris.

1967 – Ten thousand people gather for one of many Central Park be-ins in New York City.

1970 – South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu implements a land reform program to solve the problem of land tenancy.

1971 – East Pakistan declares its independence from Pakistan to form Bangladesh and the Bangladesh Liberation War begins.

1975 – The Biological Weapons Convention comes into force.

1979 – Anwar al-Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter sign the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in Washington, D.C.

1979 – An Interflug Ilyushin Il-18 crashes at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport during a rejected takeoff, killing 10.

1981 – Social Democratic Party (UK) is founded as a party.

1982 – A groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is held in Washington, D.C.

1991 – Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay sign the Treaty of Asunción, establishing Mercosur, the South Common Market.

1997 – Thirty-nine bodies are found in the Heaven's Gate mass suicides.

1998 – During the Algerian Civil War, the Oued Bouaicha massacre sees fifty-two people, mostly infants, killed with axes and knives.

2005 – Around 200,000 to 300,000 Taiwanese demonstrate in Taipei in opposition to the Anti-Secession Law of China.

2010 – The South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan is torpedoed, killing 46 sailors. After an international investigation, the President of the United Nations Security Council blames North Korea.

2017 – Russia-wide anti-corruption protests in 99 cities. The Levada Center survey showed that 38% of surveyed Russians supported protests and that 67 percent held Putin personally responsible for high-level corruption.