On This Day in History – August 26

August 26 has witnessed groundbreaking political milestones, important discoveries, and the birth of influential figures across the world. Step into history and discover what makes this day unforgettable.

Major Events

• 1346 – The Battle of Crécy takes place during the Hundred Years’ War, where English forces defeat the French army.
• 1498 – Michelangelo is commissioned to sculpt the Pietà for St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City.
• 1789 – The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is adopted by the French National Assembly.
• 1920 – The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution takes effect, granting women the right to vote.
• 1957 – The Soviet Union announces the successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile.
• 1978 – Cardinal Albino Luciani becomes Pope John Paul I.
• 1985 – France expels 16 Libyan diplomats accused of subversive activities.
• 2008 – Barack Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for U.S. president at the DNC.
• 2015 – Two journalists from WDBJ are fatally shot on live television in Virginia.
• 2021 – Kabul airport chaos continues as evacuation efforts intensify in Afghanistan.

Famous Birthdays

• 1743 – Antoine Lavoisier, French chemist and “father of modern chemistry” (d. 1794)
• 1819 – Prince Albert, husband of Queen Victoria (d. 1861)
• 1886 – Ottorino Respighi, Italian composer (d. 1936)
• 1906 – Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine (d. 1993)
• 1910 – Mother Teresa, Albanian-Indian missionary and Nobel Peace Prize winner (d. 1997)
• 1938 – Geraldine Ferraro, American politician and first female VP nominee (d. 2011)
• 1950 – Branford Marsalis, American saxophonist
• 1966 – Shirley Manson, Scottish musician and Garbage lead singer
• 1970 – Melissa McCarthy, American actress and comedian
• 1980 – Chris Pine, American actor

Notable Deaths

• 1723 – Anton van Leeuwenhoek, Dutch scientist and microscope pioneer (b. 1632)
• 1910 – William James, American philosopher and psychologist (b. 1842)
• 1958 – Ralph Vaughan Williams, English composer (b. 1872)
• 1974 – Charles Lindbergh, American aviator and author (b. 1902)
• 2004 – Laura Branigan, American pop singer (b. 1952)
• 2009 – Dominick Dunne, American writer and investigative journalist (b. 1925)
• 2010 – Raimon Panikkar, Spanish-Indian theologian (b. 1918)
• 2012 – Neil Armstrong, first person to walk on the Moon (b. 1930)
• 2019 – Edward Aschoff, American sports journalist (b. 1985)
• 2022 – Bob LuPone, American actor and theater director (b. 1946)

Holidays

• Namibia – Heroes’ Day
• Philippines – National Heroes Day (date varies)
• Women’s Equality Day – United States (commemorates the 19th Amendment’s certification in 1920)
• Christianity – Feast of St. Teresa of Jesus Jornet

Fun Facts

• August 26 is celebrated as Women’s Equality Day in the U.S., marking the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man, adopted in 1789, became a foundational document for modern democracies.
• Michelangelo’s Pietà remains one of the most admired sculptures in history and was his only signed work.
• Neil Armstrong, who died on this day in 2012, stepped onto the Moon in 1969, forever changing space exploration.
• Geraldine Ferraro, born on this day, was the first woman to run for Vice President on a major U.S. party ticket.