What Happened on December 26?
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events
births
deaths
holidays
EVENTS ON DECEMBER 26
Explore the most important historical events that happened on December 26, featuring key moments that shaped the world.
Thespis (opera)
Year:
1871
Thespis, the first Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration, debuts.
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Battle of Chickasaw Bayou
Year:
1862
American Civil War: The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou begins as Union General William T. Sherman starts landing his troops in an attempt to advance on Vicksburg, Mississippi.
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Dakota War of 1862
Year:
1862
Dakota War of 1862: The largest mass-hanging in U.S. history takes place in Mankato, Minnesota, where 38 Native American prisoners are hanged.
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American Civil War
Year:
1861
American Civil War: The Trent Affair: Confederate diplomatic envoys James Murray Mason and John Slidell are freed by the United States government, thus easing tensions between the U.S. and the United Kingdom.
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Marie Curie
Year:
1898
Marie and Pierre Curie announce the isolation of radium.
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Babe Ruth
Year:
1919
Babe Ruth of the Boston Red Sox is sold to the New York Yankees by owner Harry Frazee, allegedly establishing the Curse of the Bambino superstition.
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2021 Garland shooting
Year:
2021
Three people are killed when a 14-year-old opens fire on civilians at a Texaco convenience store in Garland, Texas.
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Winston Churchill's address to the United States Congress (1941)
Year:
1941
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addresses a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.
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BIRTHS ON DECEMBER 26
Discover famous people and historical figures born on December 26, including leaders, artists, scientists, and cultural icons.
Peep Jänes
Year of birth:
1936
Peep Jänes, Estonian architect
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Étienne Constantin de Gerlache
Year of birth:
1785
Étienne Constantin de Gerlache, Belgian lawyer and politician, 1st Prime Minister of Belgium (died 1871)
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Rohan Kanhai
Year of birth:
1935
Rohan Kanhai, Guyanese cricketer
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Norm Ullman
Year of birth:
1935
Norm Ullman, Canadian ice hockey player
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Kitty Dukakis
Year of birth:
1936
Kitty Dukakis, American author, First Lady of Massachusetts (died 2025)
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John Horton Conway
Year of birth:
1937
John Horton Conway, English mathematician, known for Conway's Game of Life (died 2020)
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Robert Hamerton-Kelly
Year of birth:
1938
Robert Hamerton-Kelly, South African-American pastor, scholar, and author (died 2013)
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Alamgir Kabir (film maker)
Year of birth:
1938
Alamgir Kabir, Bangladeshi director, producer, and screenwriter (died 1989)
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DEATHS ON DECEMBER 26
Look back at notable individuals who passed away on December 26, and learn about their lasting influences on history.
Jack Benny
Year of death:
1974
Jack Benny, American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, and violinist (born 1894)
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Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton
Year of death:
1974
Frederick Dalrymple-Hamilton, Scottish admiral (born 1890)
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Farid al-Atrash
Year of death:
1974
Farid al-Atrash, Syrian-Egyptian singer-songwriter, oud player, and actor (born 1915)
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Howard Hawks
Year of death:
1977
Howard Hawks, American director and screenwriter (born 1896)
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Richard Chase
Year of death:
1980
Richard Chase, American cannibalistic serial killer and necrophile (born 1950)
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Harold B. Lee
Year of death:
1973
Harold B. Lee, American religious leader, 11th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (born 1899)
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Harry S. Truman
Year of death:
1972
Harry S. Truman, American colonel and politician, 33rd President of the United States (born 1884)
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Herbert Gille
Year of death:
1966
Herbert Otto Gille, German general (born 1897)
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HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 26
See which holidays, observances, and special celebrations take place on December 26 around the world.
Father's Day
Saint Stephen's Day (public holiday in Alsace, Austria, Catalonia, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovakia and Switzerland), and its related observances: Father's Day (Bulgaria)
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Boxing Day
Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances: Day of Good Will (South Africa and Namibia)
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Kwanzaa
The first day of Kwanzaa, celebrated until January 1 (United States)
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Junkanoo
The first day of Junkanoo street parade, the second day is on the New Year's Day (The Bahamas)
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Wren Day
Wren Day (Ireland and the Isle of Man)
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Synaxis
Christian feast day: Synaxis of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Church)
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December 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
Christian feast day: December 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics)
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Holy Family
Christian feast day: Earliest day on which Feast of the Holy Family can fall, celebrated on Sunday after Christmas or 30 if Christmas falls on a Sunday.[citation needed]
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