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On This Day in History — January 26

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Highlights of January 26

2020 — A Sikorsky S-76 helicopter crashed in Calabasas, California, killing all nine people on board, including former basketball player Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. Read more
2015 — A jet fighter crashed at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, killing 11 people and injuring 21 others. Read more
2009 — Rioting broke out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that led to the deposal of President Marc Ravalomanana. Read more
2001 — An earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed at least 20,000 people, injured 167,000 others and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes. Read more
1998 — In a nationally televised press conference, U.S. president Bill Clinton denied having "sexual relations" with intern Monica Lewinsky. Read more
1991 — Somali Rebellion: Factions led by the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and his rebel group, the United Somali Congress, ousted President Siad Barre. Read more
1974 — Turkish Airlines Flight 301 crashed while taking off from İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport, killing 67 people. Read more
1972 — JAT Flight 367 exploded in mid-air over Czechoslovakia; the only survivor of the 28 on board, flight attendant Vesna Vulović, fell 10,160 m (33,330 ft), setting the record for surviving the highest fall without a parachute. Read more
1966 — The three Beaumont children disappeared from a beach in Glenelg, South Australia, resulting in one of the country's largest-ever police investigations. Read more
1952 — Spontaneous anti-British riots erupted in Cairo following the killings of 50 Egyptian auxiliary police officers the previous day. Read more
1950 — Indian independence movement: India became a republic under a new constitution, with Rajendra Prasad as president and Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister. Read more
1949 — The Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory in California, the largest aperture optical telescope in the world for 28 years, saw first light. Read more
1945 — Audie Murphy engaged in action at the Colmar Pocket that won him a Medal of Honor and made him one of the most famous and decorated U.S. soldiers of World War II. Read more
1934 — Hurtig & Seamon's New Burlesque Theater in New York City reopened as the Apollo Theater, becoming one of the nation's premier venues for African-American performers. Read more
1926 — Oliver Hutchinson (pictured) appeared on television in inventor John Logie Baird's first successful demonstration of using the technology to show humans. Read more
1918 — A group of Red Guards hung a red lantern atop the tower of the Helsinki Workers' House, symbolically marking the start of the Finnish Civil War. Read more
1905 — The 3,106-carat (621 g) Cullinan Diamond (pictured), the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, was discovered at the Premier Mine in Gauteng, South Africa. Read more
1885 — Mahdist War: The siege of Khartoum ended as Mahdist forces defeated the Egyptian garrison and captured the city. Read more
1841 — Commodore Gordon Bremer took formal possession of Hong Kong Island for the United Kingdom at Possession Point. Read more
1808 — William Bligh, the governor of New South Wales, was deposed in the only military coup in Australian history. Read more
1788 — Captain Arthur Phillip and the British First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove on the shore of Port Jackson, establishing the first permanent European settlement in Australia. Read more
1700 — An earthquake with a moment magnitude of around 9.0 occurred off the Pacific Northwest coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records of tsunamis. Read more
1564 — Livonian War: A Lithuanian surprise attack resulted in a decisive defeat of numerically superior Russian forces. Read more
661 — Ali, the fourth Rashidun caliph, was assassinated (depicted) by Ibn Muljim, leading to the end of the caliphate. Read more

Events

2021 — Protesters and farmers storm the Red Fort near Delhi, clashing with police. One protester is killed and more than 80 police officers are injured. Read more
2020 — A Sikorsky S-76B flying from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport crashes in Calabasas, 30 miles west of Los Angeles, killing all nine people on board, including five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. Read more
2015 — An aircraft crashes at Los Llanos Air Base in Albacete, Spain, killing 11 people and injuring 21 others. Read more
2015 — Syrian civil war: The People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptures the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), marking a turning point in the Siege of Kobanî. Read more
2009 — Rioting breaks out in Antananarivo, Madagascar, sparking a political crisis that will result in the replacement of President Marc Ravalomanana with Andry Rajoelina. Read more
2009 — Nadya Suleman gives birth to the world's first surviving octuplets. Read more
2001 — The 7.7 Mw Gujarat earthquake shakes Western India, leaving 13,805–20,023 dead and about 166,800 injured. Read more
2001 — Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, is killed in a dog attack in San Francisco. The resulting court case clarified the meaning of implied malice murder. Read more
1998 — Lewinsky scandal: On American television, U.S. President Bill Clinton denies having had "sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Read more
1991 — Mohamed Siad Barre is removed from power in Somalia, ending centralized government, and is succeeded by Ali Mahdi. Read more
1986 — The Ugandan government of Tito Okello is overthrown by the National Resistance Army, led by Yoweri Museveni. Read more
1974 — Turkish Airlines Flight 301 crashes during takeoff from Izmir Cumaovası Airport (now İzmir Adnan Menderes Airport), killing 66 of the 73 people on board the Fokker F28 Fellowship. Read more
1972 — JAT Flight 367 is destroyed by a terrorist bomb, killing 27 of the 28 people on board the DC-9. Flight attendant Vesna Vulović survives with critical injuries. Read more
1966 — The three Beaumont children disappear from a beach in Glenelg, South Australia, resulting in one of the country's largest-ever police investigations. Read more
1962 — Ranger 3 is launched to study the Moon. The space probe later misses the Moon by 22,000 miles (35,400 km). Read more
1959 — The 41-acre (17 ha) Chain Island is listed for sale by the California State Lands Commission, with a minimum bid of $5,226. Read more
1956 — Soviet Union cedes Porkkala back to Finland. Read more
1952 — Black Saturday in Egypt: rioters burn Cairo's central business district, targeting British and upper-class Egyptian businesses. Read more
1950 — The Constitution of India comes into force, forming a republic. Rajendra Prasad is sworn in as the first President of India. Observed as Republic Day in India. Read more
1949 — The Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory sees first light under the direction of Edwin Hubble, becoming the largest aperture optical telescope (until BTA-6 is built in 1976). Read more
1945 — World War II: Audie Murphy displays valor and bravery in action for which he will later be awarded the Medal of Honor. Read more
1942 — World War II: The first United States forces arrive in Europe, landing in Northern Ireland. Read more
1939 — Spanish Civil War: Catalonia Offensive: Troops loyal to nationalist General Francisco Franco and aided by Italy take Barcelona. Read more
1934 — The Apollo Theater reopens in Harlem, New York City. Read more
1934 — German–Polish declaration of non-aggression is signed. Read more
1930 — The Indian National Congress declares 26 January as Independence Day or as the day for Poorna Swaraj ("Complete Independence") which occurred 17 years later. Read more
1926 — The first demonstration of the television by John Logie Baird. Read more
1918 — Finnish Civil War: A group of Red Guards hangs a red lantern atop the tower of Helsinki Workers' Hall to symbolically mark the start of the war. Read more
1915 — The Rocky Mountain National Park is established by an act of the U.S. Congress. Read more
1905 — The world's largest diamond ever, the Cullinan, which weighs 3,106.75 carats (0.621350 kg), is found at the Premier Mine near Pretoria in South Africa. Read more
1885 — Troops loyal to The Mahdi conquer Khartoum, killing the Governor-General Charles George Gordon. Read more
1870 — Reconstruction Era: Virginia is readmitted to the Union. Read more
1863 — American Civil War: General Ambrose Burnside is relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac after the disastrous Fredericksburg campaign. He is replaced by Joseph Hooker. Read more
1863 — American Civil War: Governor of Massachusetts John Albion Andrew receives permission from the Secretary of War to raise a militia organization for men of African descent. Read more
1861 — American Civil War: The state of Louisiana secedes from the Union. Read more
1856 — First Battle of Seattle: Marines from the USS Decatur drive off Native American attackers after all-day battle with settlers. Read more
1855 — Point No Point Treaty is signed in Washington Territory. Read more
1841 — Gordon Bremer takes formal possession of Hong Kong Island at what is now Possession Point, establishing British Hong Kong. Read more
1837 — Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state. Read more
1808 — The Rum Rebellion is the only successful (albeit short-lived) armed takeover of the government in New South Wales. Read more
1788 — The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day. Read more
1765 — A British naval expedition arrives at and names Port Egmont in the Falkland Islands, founding a settlement there eight days later. (Arrival was 15 January 1765 O.S.) Read more
1700 — The 8.7–9.2 Mw Cascadia earthquake takes place off the west coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records. Read more
1699 — For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers. Read more
1641 — Reapers' War: Battle of Montjuïc, decisive victory of the Catalan army (with French support) over the Spanish army. Read more
1564 — The Council of Trent establishes an official distinction between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. Read more
1564 — The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia in the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War. Read more
1531 — The 6.4–7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people. Read more
661 — The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph. Read more

Born on January 26

2009 — YaYa Gosselin, American actress Read more
2009 — The Suleman octuplets Read more
2002 — Darya Astakhova, Russian tennis player Read more
2001 — Latalia Bevan, Welsh artistic gymnast Read more
2001 — Isaac Okoro, American basketball player Read more
2000 — Ester Expósito, Spanish actress Read more
2000 — Darius Garland, American basketball player Read more
1999 — Leonardo Balerdi, Argentine footballer Read more
1999 — Travis Etienne, American football player Read more
1998 — Moonbin, South Korean singer and actor. (died 2023) Read more
1997 — Gedion Zelalem, German-born American soccer player Read more
1996 — Zakaria Bakkali, Belgian footballer Read more
1996 — Hwang Hee-chan, South Korean football player Read more
1995 — Jean-Charles Castelletto, Cameroonian footballer Read more
1995 — Sione Katoa, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
1994 — Montrezl Harrell, American basketball player Read more
1993 — Miguel Borja, Colombian footballer Read more
1993 — Lana Clelland, Scottish footballer Read more
1993 — Kevin Pangos, Canadian-Slovenian basketball player Read more
1993 — Alice Powell, British racing driver Read more
1993 — Florian Thauvin, French footballer Read more
1992 — Mercedes Moné, American wrestler Read more
1991 — Esteban Andrada, Argentine footballer Read more
1991 — Nicolò Melli, Italian-American basketball player Read more
1991 — Alex Sandro, Brazilian footballer Read more
1991 — Manti Te'o, American football player Read more
1990 — Brandon Bolden, American football player Read more
1990 — Sergio Pérez, Mexican race car driver Read more
1990 — Peter Sagan, Slovak professional cyclist Read more
1989 — MarShon Brooks, American basketball player Read more
1989 — Emily Hughes, American figure skater Read more
1989 — Torrey Smith, American football player Read more
1988 — Dan Bailey, American football player Read more
1988 — Dimitrios Chondrokoukis, Greek high jumper Read more
1987 — Sebastian Giovinco, Italian footballer Read more
1987 — Héctor Noesí, Dominican baseball player Read more
1986 — Kizzmekia Corbett, American immunologist Read more
1986 — Gerald Green, American basketball player Read more
1986 — Kim Jae-joong, South Korean singer, songwriter, actor, and director Read more
1986 — Mustapha Yatabaré, French-Malian footballer Read more

Died on January 26

2025 — Suzanne Massie, American historian (born 1931) Read more
2020 — John Altobelli, American college baseball coach (born 1963) Read more
2020 — Gianna Bryant, American student-athlete (born 2006) Read more
2020 — Kobe Bryant, American basketball player (born 1978) Read more
2017 — Mike Connors, American actor (born 1925) Read more
2017 — Tam Dalyell, Scottish politician (born 1932) Read more
2017 — Lindy Delapenha, Jamaican footballer and sports journalist (born 1927) Read more
2017 — Barbara Hale, American actress (born 1922) Read more
2017 — Barbara Howard, Canadian sprinter and educator (born 1920) Read more
2016 — Sahabzada Yaqub Khan, Pakistani military leader, foreign minister, and diplomat (born 1920) Read more
2016 — Abe Vigoda, American actor (born 1921) Read more
2015 — Cleven "Goodie" Goudeau, American art director and cartoonist (born 1932) Read more
2015 — Tom Uren, Australian politician (born 1921) Read more
2014 — Tom Gola, American basketball player, coach, and politician (born 1933) Read more
2014 — Paula Gruden, Slovenian-Australian poet and translator (born 1921) Read more
2014 — José Emilio Pacheco, Mexican poet and author (born 1939) Read more
2013 — Christine M. Jones, American educator and politician (born 1929) Read more
2013 — Stefan Kudelski, Polish-Swiss engineer, inventor of the Nagra (born 1929) Read more
2013 — Padma Kant Shukla, Indian physicist and academic (born 1950) Read more
2013 — Shōtarō Yasuoka, Japanese author (born 1920) Read more
2012 — Roberto Mieres, Argentinian race car driver (born 1924) Read more
2011 — David Kato Kisule, Ugandan teacher and LGBT rights activist, considered a father of Uganda's gay rights movement (born 1964) Read more
2011 — Charlie Louvin, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1927) Read more
2010 — Louis Auchincloss, American novelist and essayist (born 1917) Read more
2008 — Viktor Schreckengost, American sculptor and designer (born 1906) Read more
2008 — George Habash, Palestinian politician, founder of the PFLP (born 1926) Read more
2007 — Gump Worsley, Canadian ice hockey player (born 1929) Read more
2006 — Khan Abdul Wali Khan, Pakistani politician (born 1917) Read more
2004 — Fred Haas, American golfer (born 1916) Read more
2003 — Valeriy Brumel, Russian high jumper (born 1942) Read more
2003 — Hugh Trevor-Roper, English historian and academic (born 1917) Read more
2003 — George Younger, 4th Viscount Younger of Leckie, Scottish banker and politician, Secretary of State for Scotland (born 1931) Read more
2001 — Al McGuire, American basketball player and coach (born 1928) Read more
2000 — Don Budge, American tennis player and coach (born 1915) Read more
2000 — Kathleen Hale, English author and illustrator (born 1898) Read more
2000 — A. E. van Vogt, Canadian-American author (born 1912) Read more
1997 — Jeane Dixon, American astrologer and psychic (born 1904) Read more
1996 — Harold Brodkey, American author and academic (born 1930) Read more
1996 — Frank Howard, American football player and coach (born 1909) Read more
1996 — Henry Lewis, American bassist and conductor (born 1932) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast day: Saint Alberic of Cîteaux; Christian feast day: Blessed Gabriele Allegra; Christian feast day: Saint Paula of Rome; Christian feast day: Saint Timothy; Christian feast day: Saint Titus; Christian feast day: January 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Australia Day (Australia); Republic Day (India)

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Events, births and deaths from Wikipedia contributors, “January 26”, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Lists are selections; the full record lives at the source.