On This Day in History — March 26

Highlights of March 26

• 2024 — The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed following a collision between the MV Dali container ship and one of the bridge's support pillars, killing 6 people. Read more
• 2010 — An explosion, allegedly caused by a North Korean torpedo, sank the South Korean warship ROKS Cheonan near Baengnyeongdo in the Yellow Sea, killing 46 sailors. Read more
• 2009 — A prototype of the Tesla Model S, one of the most influential electric cars in history, was unveiled. Read more
• 1999 — A jury began deliberations in the trial of Jack Kevorkian, an American practitioner of physician-assisted suicide who was charged with murder in the death of a terminally ill patient. Read more
• 1997 — Police in Rancho Santa Fe, California, discovered the bodies of 39 members of the religious group Heaven's Gate who had died in an apparent cult suicide. Read more
• 1991 — Singapore Airlines Flight 117 was hijacked by four Pakistani terrorists and diverted to Changi Airport. Read more
• 1975 — The Biological Weapons Convention, the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the production of an entire category of weapons, entered into force. Read more
• 1974 — A group of peasant women in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, surrounded trees in order to prevent loggers from felling them, giving rise to the Chipko movement. Read more
• 1953 — Jonas Salk announced the successful test of his polio vaccine on a small group of adults and children. Read more
• 1942 — The American tanker Dixie Arrow is torpedoed and sunk off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, by the German U-boat U-71. Read more
• 1939 — Nationalist forces began their final offensive of the Spanish Civil War, at the end of which they controlled almost the entire country. Read more
• 1917 — First World War: Attempting to advance into Palestine, the British were defeated by Ottoman troops at the First Battle of Gaza. Read more
• 1913 — First Balkan War: After a five-month siege, Bulgarian and Serbian forces captured the Ottoman city of Adrianople. Read more
• 1896 — An explosion at the Brunner Mine in New Zealand killed 65 coal miners in the country's deadliest mining accident. Read more
• 1885 — Perceiving that the Canadian government was failing to protect their rights, the Métis people led by Louis Riel began the North-West Rebellion. Read more
• 1873 — A Dutch military expedition was launched to bombard Banda Aceh, the capital of the Aceh Sultanate in present-day Indonesia, beginning the Aceh War. Read more
• 1812 — The Boston Gazette printed a cartoon coining the term "gerrymander", named after Governor Elbridge Gerry (pictured), who approved the legislation that created oddly shaped electoral districts. Read more
• 1697 — The Safavid Empire began a four-year occupation of the Ottoman city of Basra on the Persian Gulf. Read more
• 1651 — The Spanish ship San José ran aground onto coasts controlled by the indigenous Cunco people, who subsequently killed the crew. Read more
• 1484 — William Caxton (pictured) printed the first English translation of Aesop's Fables. Read more
• 1344 — Reconquista: The Muslim city of Algeciras surrendered after a 21-month siege and was incorporated into the Kingdom of Castile. Read more
• 1169 — Saladin (depicted on coin) was inaugurated as vizier of Egypt. Read more
• 590 — Byzantine emperor Maurice proclaimed his son Theodosius as his co-emperor. Read more

Events

• 2024 — The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapses following a collision between the MV Dali container ship and one of the bridge's support pillars, killing six people. Read more
• 2017 — Russia-wide anti-corruption protests in 99 cities. The Levada Center survey showed that 38% of surveyed Russians supported protests and that 67 percent held Putin personally responsible for high-level corruption. Read more
• 2010 — The South Korean Navy corvette Cheonan is torpedoed, killing 46 sailors. After an international investigation, the President of the United Nations Security Council blames North Korea. Read more
• 2005 — Around 200,000 to 300,000 Taiwanese demonstrate in Taipei in opposition to the Anti-Secession Law of China. Read more
• 1998 — During the Algerian Civil War, the Oued Bouaicha massacre sees fifty-two people, mostly infants, killed with axes and knives. Read more
• 1997 — Thirty-nine bodies are found in the Heaven's Gate mass suicides. Read more
• 1991 — Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay sign the Treaty of Asunción, establishing Mercosur, the South Common Market. Read more
• 1991 — Singapore Airlines Flight 117 is hijacked by four Pakistani terrorists and diverted to Changi Airport. Read more
• 1982 — A groundbreaking ceremony for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is held in Washington, D.C. Read more
• 1981 — Social Democratic Party (UK) is founded as a party. Read more
• 1979 — Anwar al-Sadat, Menachem Begin and Jimmy Carter sign the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in Washington, D.C. Read more
• 1979 — An Interflug Ilyushin Il-18 crashes at Quatro de Fevereiro Airport during a rejected takeoff, killing 10. Read more
• 1975 — The Biological Weapons Convention comes into force. Read more
• 1971 — East Pakistan, then a province of Pakistan, declares its independence from Pakistan to form Bangladesh; the Bangladesh War of Independence begins. Read more
• 1970 — South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu implements a land reform program to solve the problem of land tenancy. Read more
• 1967 — Ten thousand people gather for one of many Central Park be-ins in New York City. Read more
• 1958 — The United States Army launches Explorer 3. Read more
• 1958 — The African Regroupment Party is launched at a meeting in Paris. Read more
• 1955 — Pan Am Flight 845/26 ditches in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Oregon, killing four. Read more
• 1954 — Nuclear weapons testing: The Romeo shot of Operation Castle is detonated at Bikini Atoll. Yield: 11 megatons. Read more
• 1945 — World War II: The Battle of Iwo Jima ends as the island is officially secured by American forces. Read more
• 1942 — The Holocaust: The first female prisoners arrive at Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland. Read more
• 1939 — Spanish Civil War: Nationalists begin their final offensive of the war. Read more
• 1934 — The United Kingdom driving test is introduced. Read more
• 1931 — Swissair is founded as the national airline of Switzerland. Read more
• 1931 — Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union is founded in Vietnam. Read more
• 1922 — The German Social Democratic Party is founded in Poland. Read more
• 1917 — World War I: First Battle of Gaza: British troops are halted after 17,000 Turks block their advance. Read more
• 1915 — The Vancouver Millionaires win the 1915 Stanley Cup Final, the first championship played between the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association. Read more
• 1913 — First Balkan War: Bulgarian forces capture Adrianople. Read more
• 1896 — An explosion at the Brunner Mine near Greymouth, New Zealand, kills 65 coal miners in the country's worst industrial accident. Read more
• 1885 — The Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel begin the North-West Rebellion against Canada. Read more
• 1871 — The elections of Commune council of the Paris Commune are held. Read more
• 1839 — The first Henley Royal Regatta is held. Read more
• 1830 — The Book of Mormon is published in Palmyra, New York. Read more
• 1812 — An earthquake devastates Caracas, Venezuela. Read more
• 1812 — A political cartoon in the Boston-Gazette coins the term "gerrymander" to describe oddly shaped electoral districts designed to help incumbents win reelection. Read more
• 1700 — William Dampier is the first European to circumnavigate New Britain, discovering it is an island (which he names Nova Britannia) rather than part of New Guinea. Read more
• 1697 — Safavid government troops take control of Basra. Read more
• 1651 — The silver-loaded Spanish ship San José, pushed south by strong winds, is wrecked on the coast of southern Chile and its surviving crew members are killed by indigenous Cuncos. Read more
• 1640 — The Royal Academy of Turku, the first university of Finland, is founded in the city of Turku by Queen Christina of Sweden at the proposal of Count Per Brahe. Read more
• 1636 — Utrecht University is founded in the Netherlands. Read more
• 1552 — Guru Amar Das becomes the Third Sikh guru. Read more
• 1484 — William Caxton prints his translation of Aesop's Fables. Read more
• 1351 — Combat of the Thirty: Thirty Breton knights call out and defeat thirty English knights. Read more
• 1344 — The Siege of Algeciras, one of the first European military engagements where gunpowder was used, comes to an end. Read more
• 1244 — The crown of Aragon and the crown of Castile agree in the Treaty of Almizra on the limits of their respective expansion into al-Andalus. Read more
• 1169 — Saladin becomes the emir of Egypt. Read more
• 1027 — Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor. Read more
• 1021 — The death of the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, kept secret for six weeks, is announced, along with the succession of his son, al-Zahir li-i'zaz Din Allah. Read more
• 752 — Election of Pope Stephen II following the death of Pope Zachary. Read more
• 624 — First Eid al-Fitr celebration. Read more
• 590 — Emperor Maurice proclaims his son Theodosius as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire. Read more

Born on March 26

• 2007 — Jesús Fortea, Spanish footballer Read more
• 2005 — Ella Anderson, American actress Read more
• 2004 — Awra Briguela, Filipino actor and comedian Read more
• 2003 — Bhad Bhabie, American rapper and social media personality Read more
• 2001 — Jameson Williams, American football player Read more
• 2000 — Gefen Primo, Israeli judoka Read more
• 2000 — Andrei Svechnikov, Russian ice hockey player Read more
• 1998 — Satoko Miyahara, Japanese figure skater Read more
• 1996 — Zane Musgrove, New Zealand rugby league player Read more
• 1996 — Kathryn Bernardo, Filipino actress Read more
• 1995 — Ibai Llanos, Spanish internet personality Read more
• 1994 — Ryan Arcidiacono, American basketball player Read more
• 1994 — Alison Van Uytvanck, Belgian tennis player Read more
• 1994 — Paige VanZant, American mixed martial artist and model Read more
• 1994 — Jed Wallace, English footballer Read more
• 1994 — Marcela Zacarías, Mexican tennis player Read more
• 1992 — Nina Agdal, Danish model Read more
• 1992 — Stoffel Vandoorne, Belgian racing driver Read more
• 1991 — Matt Davidson, American baseball player Read more
• 1991 — Ramy Youssef, American actor and comedian Read more
• 1990 — Choi Woo-shik, South Korean actor Read more
• 1990 — Matteo Guidicelli, Filipino actor, model, singer and former kart racer Read more
• 1990 — Patrick Ekeng, Cameroonian footballer (died 2016) Read more
• 1990 — Yuya Takaki, Japanese idol, singer, dancer, model and actor Read more
• 1990 — Xiumin, South Korean singer and actor Read more
• 1989 — Simon Kjær, Danish footballer Read more
• 1989 — Von Miller, American football player Read more
• 1987 — Kim Dong-suk, South Korean footballer Read more
• 1987 — Jermichael Finley, American football player Read more
• 1987 — Steven Fletcher, Scottish footballer Read more
• 1986 — Maxime Biset, Belgian footballer Read more
• 1986 — Rob Kearney, Irish rugby player Read more
• 1986 — Emma Laine, Finnish tennis player Read more
• 1985 — Keira Knightley, English actress Read more
• 1985 — Matt Grevers, American swimmer Read more
• 1985 — Jonathan Groff, American actor and singer Read more
• 1985 — Prosper Utseya, Zimbabwean cricketer Read more
• 1984 — Jimmy Howard, American ice hockey player Read more
• 1984 — Drew Mitchell, Australian rugby player Read more
• 1984 — Felix Neureuther, German skier Read more

Died on March 26

• 2026 — Noelia Castillo, Spanish woman who died after receiving euthanasia (born 2000) Read more
• 2026 — Mary Rand, English sprinter and long jumper (born 1940) Read more
• 2026 — Epeli Nailatikau, Fijian chief, President of Fiji (born 1941) Read more
• 2026 — James Tolkan, American actor (born 1931) Read more
• 2024 — Esther Coopersmith, American diplomat, UNESCO goodwill ambassador (born 1930) Read more
• 2023 — María Kodama, Argentine writer and translator (born 1937) Read more
• 2023 — Innocent Vareed Thekkethala, Indian actor and politician (born 1948) Read more
• 2023 — Jacob Ziv, Israeli electrical engineer, developed the LZ family of compression algorithms (born 1931) Read more
• 2018 — Fabrizio Frizzi, Italian television presenter (born 1958) Read more
• 2016 — Jim Harrison, American novelist, essayist, and poet (born 1937) Read more
• 2015 — Dinkha IV, Iraqi patriarch (born 1935) Read more
• 2015 — Friedrich L. Bauer, German mathematician, computer scientist, and academic (born 1924) Read more
• 2015 — Tomas Tranströmer, Swedish poet, translator, and psychologist Nobel Prize laureate (born 1931) Read more
• 2014 — Roger Birkman, American psychologist and author (born 1919) Read more
• 2014 — Dick Guidry, American businessman and politician (born 1929) Read more
• 2014 — Marcus Kimball, Baron Kimball, English politician (born 1928) Read more
• 2013 — Tom Boerwinkle, American basketball player and sportscaster (born 1945) Read more
• 2013 — Krzysztof Kozłowski, Polish journalist and politician, Polish Minister of Interior (born 1931) Read more
• 2013 — Dave Leggett, American football player (born 1933) Read more
• 2013 — Don Payne, American screenwriter and producer (born 1964) Read more
• 2012 — Sisto Averno, American football player (born 1925) Read more
• 2012 — Michael Begley, Irish carpenter and politician (born 1932) Read more
• 2012 — Thomas M. Cover, American theorist and academic (born 1938) Read more
• 2012 — David Craighead, American organist and educator (born 1924) Read more
• 2012 — Manik Godghate, Indian poet and educator (born 1937) Read more
• 2012 — Helmer Ringgren, Swedish theologian and academic (born 1917) Read more
• 2011 — Roger Abbott, English-Canadian actor, producer, and screenwriter (born 1946) Read more
• 2011 — Geraldine Ferraro, American lawyer and politician (born 1935) Read more
• 2011 — Diana Wynne Jones, English author (born 1934) Read more
• 2010 — Charles Ryskamp, American art collector and curator (born 1928) Read more
• 2009 — Shane McConkey, Canadian skier and BASE jumper (born 1969) Read more
• 2009 — Arne Bendiksen, Norwegian singer and composer (born 1926) Read more
• 2008 — Robert Fagles, American poet and academic (born 1933) Read more
• 2008 — Manuel Marulanda, Colombian rebel leader (born 1930) Read more
• 2006 — Anil Biswas, Indian journalist and politician (born 1944) Read more
• 2006 — Paul Dana, American racing driver (born 1975) Read more
• 2006 — Nikki Sudden, English singer-songwriter and guitarist (born 1956) Read more
• 2005 — James Callaghan, English lieutenant and politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (born 1912) Read more
• 2005 — Frederick Rotimi Williams, Nigerian lawyer and politician (born 1920) Read more
• 2004 — Jan Sterling, American actress (born 1921) Read more

Holidays & observances

Christian feast days: Barontius and Desiderius; Christian feast days: Castulus; Christian feast days: Emmanuel and companions; Christian feast days: Felicitas; Christian feast days: Harriet Monsell (Church of England); Christian feast days: Larissa; Christian feast days: Ludger; Christian feast days: Maddalena Caterina Morano; Christian feast days: Richard Allen (Episcopal Church (USA)); Christian feast days: March 26 (Eastern Orthodox liturgics); Independence Day and National Day (Bangladesh), celebrates the declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971.; Martyr's Day or Day of Democracy (Mali); National Science Appreciation Day (United States); Prince Kūhiō Day (Hawaii, United States); Purple Day (Canada and United States); Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (Eastern Christianity)

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