✦ DateLore

On This Day · The 146th day of the year

May 26

A look at May 26 through the almanac — historic events, famous birthdays including Ward Cunningham and John Wayne, and the day's notable deaths and observances.

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Events

10 notable moments
  1. 2025

    2025 Liverpool parade attack

    65 people are injured when a car rams into a crowd on Water Street, near Liverpool F.C.'s Premier League trophy parade.

    Traffic collision in Liverpool,
  2. 2020

    George Floyd protests

    Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the United States and around the world.

    2020–2023 police brutality protests
  3. 2002

    I-40 bridge disaster

    The tugboat Robert Y. Love collides with a support pier of Interstate 40 on the Arkansas River near Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, resulting in 14 deaths and 11 others injured.

    2002 collision in Webbers
  4. 1967

    The Beatles

    The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is released.

    English rock band (1960–1970)
  5. 1940

    World War II

    World War II: Operation Dynamo: In northern France, Allied forces begin a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France. The Battle of Dunkirk begins simultaneously as Allied defenders fight to slow down the German offensive.

    1939–1945 global conflict
  6. 1938

    House Un-American Activities Committee

    In the United States, the House Un-American Activities Committee begins its first session.

    American investigative committee (1938–1975)
  7. 1864

    Abraham Lincoln

    President Abraham Lincoln signs legislation organizing the Montana Territory.

    President of the United
  8. 1822

    Grue Church fire

    At least 113 people die in the Grue Church fire, the biggest fire disaster in Norway's history.

    1822 fire in Norway
  9. 1644

    Portuguese Restoration War

    Portuguese Restoration War: Portuguese and Spanish forces both claim victory in the Battle of Montijo.

    1640–1668 war between Portugal
  10. 1538

    Geneva

    Geneva expels John Calvin and his followers from the city. Calvin lives in exile in Strasbourg for the next three years.

    City in Switzerland
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Famous birthday twins

Born on May 26

Ward Cunningham

b. 1949

American computer programmer, developed the first wiki

John Wayne

b. 1907

American actor, director, and producer

Matt Stone

b. 1971

American actor, animator, screenwriter, producer, and composer

Jack Kevorkian

b. 1928

American pathologist, author, and assisted suicide activist

Sally Ride

b. 1951

American physicist and astronaut, founded Sally Ride Science

Peter Kürten

b. 1883

German serial killer

Inge Borkh

b. 1921

German soprano

Nicolaus Zinzendorf

b. 1700

German bishop and saint

Deaths

  • 1976Martin Heidegger, German philosopher and academic
  • 1955Alberto Ascari, Italian racing driver
  • 1933Jimmie Rodgers, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
  • 946Edmund I, king of England
  • 818Ali al-Rida, 8th of The Twelve Imams
  • 604Augustine of Canterbury, Benedictine monk and archbishop

Holidays & observances

  • —Christian feast day: Andrew Kaggwa
  • —Christian feast day: Augustine of Canterbury (Anglican Communion and Eastern Orthodox)
  • —Christian feast day: Lambert of Vence
  • —Christian feast day: Mariana de Jesús de Paredes
  • —Christian feast day: Martyrs of the Paris Commune
  • —Christian feast day: Peter Sanz (one of Martyr Saints of China)
  • —Christian feast day: Philip Neri
  • —Christian feast day: Pope Eleutherius

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