TODAY IN HISTORY: SEPTEMBER 26

 

September 26

September 26 is a date marked by several significant events that have shaped the course of history in different domains. From historical breakthroughs in scientific discoveries to moments of celebration and remembrance, this day holds deep meaning for people around the world. In this article, we will explore some unforgettable moments that occurred on September 26.

On September 26, 2015, NASA scientists announced a groundbreaking discovery - evidence of flowing water on the surface of Mars. This finding had tremendous implications for the possibility of life beyond Earth. The presence of liquid water, a crucial ingredient for life as we know it, opened up numerous opportunities for further exploration and research into the Red Planet.

September 26 is also remembered as the anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. This pivotal battle took place during the American Revolutionary War, where American forces faced British troops in their quest for independence. Though the British won the battle, it was a symbolic victory for the American revolutionaries as it showcased their bravery and determination. The sacrifices made by the patriots on this day are commemorated yearly, honoring their role in shaping the United States.

September 26, 1945, marked the establishment of the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) following the end of World War II. This event marked a critical turning point in European history as it laid the foundation for democracy in post-war Germany. The creation of a stable and democratic government led to Germany's reunification and played a significant role in shaping European politics and economy in the years that followed.

In 2014, September 26 became a momentous day for India's space exploration program. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) successfully placed the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) into orbit around the red planet, making India the first Asian country to reach Mars. This achievement showcased India's technological capabilities and contributed to advancing our understanding of Mars.

Since 2019, September 26 has been recognized as the International Day for Universal Access to Information. This day aims to raise awareness of the importance of access to information for sustainable development and equitable societies. It emphasizes the right to access information held by public bodies while promoting multilingualism and cultural diversity as keys to inclusive and effective knowledge societies.

September 26 stands as a testament to human achievement in various fields, from space exploration to the struggles for freedom and democracy. Throughout history, this date has witnessed remarkable events that have shaped the world we live in today. Whether it is the scientific breakthroughs or the commemoration of the sacrifices made in significant battles, September 26 holds an indelible place in history. It serves as a reminder of our past successes and a catalyst for further progress in the future.

Here are some more events on this day:

46 BC – Julius Caesar dedicates a temple to Venus Genetrix, fulfilling a vow he made at the Battle of Pharsalus.

715 – Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne.

1087 – William II is crowned King of England, and reigns until 1100.

1212 – The Golden Bull of Sicily is issued to confirm the hereditary royal title in Bohemia for the Přemyslid dynasty.

1345 – Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns.

1371 – Serbian–Turkish wars: Ottoman Turks fought against a Serbian army at the Battle of Maritsa.

1423 – Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière.

1493 – Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Dudum siquidem to the Spanish, extending the grant of new lands he made them in Inter caetera.

1580 – Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth in Plymouth, England.

1687 – Morean War: The Parthenon in Athens, used as a gunpowder depot by the Ottoman garrison, is partially destroyed after being bombarded during the Siege of the Acropolis by Venetian forces.

1688 – The city council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of England, which became the Glorious Revolution.

1777 – American Revolution: British troops occupy Philadelphia.

1789 – George Washington appoints Thomas Jefferson the first United States Secretary of State.

1799 – War of the 2nd Coalition: French troops defeat Austro-Russian forces, leading to the collapse of Suvorov's campaign.

1810 – A new Act of Succession is adopted by the Riksdag of the Estates, and Jean Baptiste Bernadotte becomes heir to the Swedish throne.

1905 – Albert Einstein publishes the third of his Annus Mirabilis papers, introducing the special theory of relativity.

1907 – Four months after the 1907 Imperial Conference, New Zealand and Newfoundland are promoted from colonies to dominions within the British Empire.

1910 – Indian journalist Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai is arrested after publishing criticism of the government of Travancore and is exiled.

1914 – The United States Federal Trade Commission is established by the Federal Trade Commission Act.

1917 – World War I: The Battle of Polygon Wood begins.

1918 – World War I: The Meuse-Argonne Offensive began which would last until the total surrender of German forces.

1923 – The German government accepts the occupation of the Ruhr.

1933 – As gangster Machine Gun Kelly surrenders to the FBI, he shouts out, "Don't shoot, G-Men!", which becomes a nickname for FBI agents.

1934 – The ocean liner RMS Queen Mary is launched.

1936 – Spanish Civil War: Lluis Companys reshuffles the Generalitat de Catalunya, with the marxist POUM and anarcho-syndicalist CNT joining the government.

1942 – Holocaust: Senior SS official August Frank issues a memorandum detailing how Jews should be "evacuated".

1950 – Korean War: United Nations troops recapture Seoul from North Korean forces.

1953 – Rationing of sugar in the United Kingdom ends

1954 – The Japanese rail ferry Tōya Maru sinks during a typhoon in the Tsugaru Strait, Japan, killing 1,172.

1959 – Typhoon Vera, the strongest typhoon to hit Japan in recorded history, makes landfall, killing 4,580 people and leaving nearly 1.6 million others homeless.

1960 – In Chicago, the first televised debate takes place between presidential candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

1969 – Abbey Road, the last recorded album by the Beatles, is released.

1973 – Concorde makes its first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in record-breaking time.

1980 – At the Oktoberfest terror attack in Munich 13 people die and 211 are injured.

1981 – Nolan Ryan sets a Major League record by throwing his fifth no-hitter.

1983 – Soviet Air Force officer Stanislav Petrov identifies a report of an incoming nuclear missile as a computer error and not an American first strike.

1983 – Australia II wins the America's Cup, ending the New York Yacht Club's 132-year domination of the race.

1984 – The United Kingdom and China agree to a transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, to take place in 1997.

1997 – A Garuda Indonesia Airbus A300 crashes near Medan airport, killing 234.

1997 – An earthquake strikes the Italian regions of Umbria and the Marche, causing part of the Basilica of St. Francis at Assisi to collapse.

2000 – Anti-globalization protests in Prague (some 20,000 protesters) turn violent during the IMF and World Bank summits.

2000 – The MS Express Samina sinks off Paros in the Aegean Sea killing 80 passengers.

2002 – The overcrowded Senegalese ferry, MV Le Joola, capsizes off the coast of the Gambia killing more than 1,000.

2005 – The PBS Kids Channel is shut down and replaced by a joint network with Comcast called Sprout.

2008 – Swiss pilot and inventor Yves Rossy becomes first person to fly a jet engine-powered wing across the English Channel.

2009 – Typhoon Ketsana hits the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand, causing 700 fatalities.

2010 – The Philippine Bar exam bombing occurred near the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila injuring 47 people.

2014 – A mass kidnapping occurs in Iguala, Mexico.