AP Today in History
May 26 is the 146th day of the year (147th on a leap year) on the Gregorian calendar.http://www.infoplease.com/spot/gregorian1.html The Zodiac sign for individuals born on this day is Gemini. http://www.findyourfate.com/astrology/Gemini.htm
In Guyana, May 26 is celebrated as Independence Day, commemorating Guyana's achieving freedom from under the rule of the United Kingdom in 1966.http://www.gina.gov.gy/archive/researchp/rpindependence.htm
In the United States, May 26 is celebrated as National Senior Health and Fitness Day. The goal of the day is to promote physical activity amongst the elderly, and to educate individuals on the importance of maintaining physical fitness.http://www.fitnessday.com/senior/index.htm More than 100,000 senior citizens participate in organized physical activities at more than 1,000 locations throughout the country, and receive information promoting a healthy lifestyle.http://www.fitnessday.com/senior/index.htm
2000's
- 2003: Sherpa Lakpa Gelu climbed Mount Everest in 10 hours 56 minutes.
- 2006: An earthquake in Java kills over 5,700 people, and leaves 200,000 people homeless.
1990's
- 1992: Co-founder of Adobe Systems, Inc, Charles Geschke, was kidnapped at gunpoint and held for a $650,000 ransom. Geschke was rescued four days later by the FBI.
May 26, 1991
May 26, 1983
A 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Japan. This earthquake triggered a tsunami that killed around 104 people, and injured thousands.
May 26, 1977
George Willig climbed the South Tower of New York City's World Trade Center.
1960's
- 1966: British Guiana gained it independence and became Guyana.
1920's
1928: The first motion picture was projected to the public in Athens, Greece.
1910's
1918: The Democratic Republic of Georgia was established.
1900's
1906: The Vauxhall Bridge opened.
1800's
- 1822: 116 people die in the Grue Church fire. This became Norway's biggest fire disaster in history.
- 1828: Kaspar Hauser was found wandering the streets of Nuremberg
- 1830: The Indian Removal Act was passed by the U.S. Congress.
- 1857: Dred Scott was emancipated
- 1864: Montana became a U.S. territory
- 1868: President Andrew Johnson is found not guilty in his impeachment trial.
- 1889: The first Eiffel Tower elevator opened to the public.
1600's
- 1647: Alse Young is the first person to be executed as a witch in the American colonies.
Holidays and Observances
Famous Birthdays
- 1895 - Dorothea Lange, American photographer
- 1949 - Pam Grier, American actress
- 1949 - Hank Williams Jr., American singer
- 1951 - Sally Ride, American astronaut
- 1955 - Masaharu Morimoto, Japanese chef
- 1964 - Lenny Kravitz, American musician
- 1971 - Matt Stone, American animator and filmmaker
Famous Deaths
- 2009 - Peter Zezel, Canadian professional hockey player.