November 26 has witnessed a range of significant events across centuries, shaping history in diverse ways. From groundbreaking discoveries to tragic incidents, this date holds stories of human achievement and challenge. The opening of iconic structures, remarkable archaeological finds, and pivotal moments in global affairs all mark this day. What specific events stand out on this date? Uncover the layers of history that define November 26.
History
Major Historical Events
1805 – Official Opening of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: On this day, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales, designed by Thomas Telford, was officially opened.
This remarkable structure, carrying the Llangollen Canal over the River Dee, is a pioneering feat of civil engineering.
It is now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its innovative design and historical significance.
1922 – Howard Carter Opens Tutankhamun’s Tomb: Archaeologist Howard Carter and his team made history by entering the tomb of the Egyptian Pharaoh Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings.
This groundbreaking discovery revealed an almost intact burial chamber filled with treasures.
It offered an unprecedented glimpse into ancient Egyptian life and culture.
1941 – U.S. Enters World War II Discussions with Japan: Just days before the attack on Pearl Harbor, U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull presented a final proposal to Japanese diplomats in Washington, D.C.
The proposal demanded the withdrawal of Japanese forces from China and Indochina.
The failure of these negotiations contributed to the escalating tensions that led to war.
1965 – France Launches First Satellite: France became the third country to launch a satellite into orbit with the successful deployment of Asterix.
Launched from Hammaguir in Algeria, this achievement marked France’s entry into the space race.
It solidified its position in global space exploration.
2008 – Mumbai Terrorist Attacks Begin: A series of coordinated terrorist attacks struck Mumbai, India, targeting multiple locations, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
Over four days, the attacks claimed 166 lives and injured hundreds.
They drew international condemnation and highlighted issues of global security.
Famous Birthdays
1607 – John Harvard: Born on this day in London, England, John Harvard was a clergyman and scholar whose bequest of money and books helped establish Harvard College in Massachusetts.
The institution, now known as Harvard University, remains one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
1895 – Bill W.: William Griffith Wilson, better known as Bill W., was born in East Dorset, Vermont.
He co-founded Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), an organization that has helped millions worldwide overcome alcohol addiction through its supportive community and 12-step program.
1939 – Tina Turner: The legendary singer and performer Tina Turner was born as Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee.
Known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence made her an international icon with hits like “Proud Mary” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
1981 – Natasha Bedingfield: British singer-songwriter Natasha Bedingfield was born in Haywards Heath, England.
She rose to fame with her debut album *Unwritten*, featuring chart-topping singles like “These Words” and the title track, which became an anthem of self-expression.
Notable Deaths
1504 – Queen Isabella I of Castile: The influential Spanish monarch, who alongside her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon unified Spain and sponsored Christopher Columbus’s voyages to the New World, passed away on this day in Medina del Campo.
Her reign shaped the course of European and global history.
1883 – Sojourner Truth: The American abolitionist and women’s rights activist, born into slavery as Isabella Baumfree, died on this day in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Known for her powerful speeches, including “Ain’t I a Woman?,” she fought tirelessly for equality and justice.
1956 – Tommy Dorsey: The American jazz trombonist, composer, and bandleader, often called the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” passed away in Greenwich, Connecticut.
His big band music defined an era, with hits like “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” leaving a lasting legacy.
Today in Music History
1968 – Cream’s Farewell Concert Album Released: The British rock supergroup Cream, featuring Eric Clapton, released their live album *Goodbye*, recorded during their farewell concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
The album captured the band’s raw energy and cemented their influence on rock music.
1989 – MTV Unplugged Debuts: MTV premiered its iconic *Unplugged* series on this day, starting with a performance by Squeeze.
The show, featuring stripped-down acoustic sets by major artists, became a cultural phenomenon and launched countless memorable live albums.
2003 – Michael Jackson’s *Number Ones* Released: Michael Jackson’s compilation album *Number Ones* hit the shelves on this day, featuring his greatest hits like “Billie Jean” and “Thriller.”
The album reaffirmed his status as the King of Pop, even amid personal controversies.
Today in Sports History
1926 – First Grey Cup Broadcast: The Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup game was broadcast on radio for the first time, marking a milestone in Canadian sports history.
The Ottawa Senators defeated the Toronto Varsity Blues 10-7 in a historic match.
1982 – Larry Holmes Defends Heavyweight Title: Boxer Larry Holmes defended his WBC heavyweight title against Randall “Tex” Cobb in a brutal 15-round fight in Houston, Texas.
Holmes dominated the match, solidifying his reputation as one of boxing’s greats.
2011 – NBA Lockout Ends: After a 161-day lockout, the National Basketball Association reached an agreement with players to end the labor dispute on this day.
The resolution paved the way for a shortened 66-game season, much to the relief of fans.
2018 – Tiger Woods Wins Tour Championship: Tiger Woods clinched the Tour Championship in Atlanta, Georgia, marking his first PGA Tour victory in over five years.
This emotional comeback highlighted his resilience after years of injuries and personal challenges.
Today in Military and Naval History
1862 – Battle of Cane Hill Begins: During the American Civil War, Union forces under General James G. Blunt engaged Confederate troops led by General John S. Marmaduke in Arkansas.
The skirmish was a prelude to the larger Battle of Prairie Grove, shaping control of the region.
1941 – Japanese Fleet Sails for Pearl Harbor: On this day, a Japanese naval task force, including six aircraft carriers, secretly departed from Hitokappu Bay under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto’s command.
Their destination was Pearl Harbor, setting the stage for the devastating attack on December 7.
1943 – HMS Rohna Sunk by German Air Attack: The British troopship HMS Rohna was sunk by a German air attack off the coast of Algeria, resulting in the loss of over 1,100 lives, mostly American soldiers.
It remains one of the deadliest maritime disasters of World War II involving U.S. troops.
Today in Tech and Science History
1965 – France’s Asterix Satellite Launch: As previously mentioned, France launched its first satellite, Asterix, from Hammaguir, Algeria, using a Diamant-A rocket.
This achievement made France the third nation to independently place a satellite in orbit.
1976 – Microsoft Registers Trademark: On this day, Bill Gates and Paul Allen officially registered the trade name “Microsoft” with the Office of the Secretary of the State of New Mexico.
This marked a pivotal moment in the rise of the tech giant.
2011 – Mars Science Laboratory Launch: NASA launched the Mars Science Laboratory mission, carrying the Curiosity rover, from Cape Canaveral.
The rover’s successful landing in 2012 revolutionized our understanding of Mars with evidence of past water and potential habitability.
Today in Art, Literature, and Culture
1864 – Lewis Carroll Sends *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* to Publisher: On this day, Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, under the pseudonym Lewis Carroll, sent the manuscript of *Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland* to his publisher.
The whimsical tale became a cornerstone of children’s literature.
1922 – First *Peanuts* Comic Strip Inspiration: While not the exact debut, Charles M. Schulz, born on this day in 1922, would later create the beloved *Peanuts* comic strip.
His work, featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, became a cultural touchstone.
1950 – *Guys and Dolls* Opens on Broadway: The musical *Guys and Dolls*, with music and lyrics by Frank Loesser, premiered at the 46th Street Theatre in New York City.
Based on Damon Runyon’s stories, it became a classic of American theater.
2005 – *Doctor Who* Special Episode Airs: A special mini-episode of *Doctor Who* titled “Born Again” aired as part of the BBC’s Children in Need telethon on this day, bridging the gap between seasons and delighting fans of the iconic sci-fi series.
Funny & Weird Historical Facts
1789 – First National Thanksgiving Day: On this day, the United States celebrated its first official Thanksgiving as proclaimed by President George Washington.
Surprisingly, the holiday wasn’t tied to a specific date until much later, and early celebrations often involved fasting rather than feasting.
1962 – World’s Largest Jell-O Mold Attempt: In Rochester, New York, an attempt to create the world’s largest Jell-O mold was made on this day to celebrate the dessert’s popularity.
Though not officially recorded as a world record at the time, the quirky event drew local attention and laughter.
2007 – Man Marries Dog in India: In a bizarre cultural ritual, a man in India married a female dog on this day to ward off a curse he believed was caused by mistreating dogs in his past.
The ceremony, while unusual, was conducted with traditional Hindu rites.
Today in History for Kids
1922 – King Tut’s Tomb Discovered: Imagine finding a hidden treasure room!
On this day, Howard Carter opened the tomb of an ancient Egyptian king named Tutankhamun.
Inside, he found gold, jewels, and artifacts that told stories of life thousands of years ago.
1965 – France Sends a Satellite to Space: France became one of the first countries to send a satellite, called Asterix, into space on this day.
It’s like sending a little robot into the sky to explore and send messages back to Earth!
1976 – Microsoft Gets Its Name: A company called Microsoft, which makes computers and games, got its official name on this day.
Two friends, Bill Gates and Paul Allen, started it, and now it’s one of the biggest tech companies in the world.
1989 – MTV Unplugged Starts: A cool TV show called MTV Unplugged began on this day, where famous singers played music without electric instruments.
It was like having a private concert right in your living room!
Today in History Trivia & Interesting Facts
Did You Know? First U.S. Thanksgiving: The first national Thanksgiving in the U.S. was held on November 26, 1789, following a proclamation by George Washington.
It was meant as a day of gratitude for the new Constitution and the nation’s independence.
Did You Know? Tutankhamun’s Curse Myth: After Howard Carter opened King Tut’s tomb on this day in 1922, rumors of a “curse” spread because several people linked to the discovery died mysteriously.
However, most of these deaths were unrelated and explained by natural causes.
Did You Know? Asterix the Satellite: France’s first satellite, launched on November 26, 1965, was named Asterix after a popular French comic book character.
This playful name added a touch of humor to a serious scientific achievement.
Did You Know? Longest Lockout in NBA History: The NBA lockout that ended on November 26, 2011, was one of the longest in the league’s history at 161 days.
It delayed the start of the season, but fans were thrilled when basketball finally returned.
Did You Know? Mumbai Attacks Global Impact: The Mumbai terrorist attacks starting on November 26, 2008, not only shocked India but also led to worldwide changes in security measures at public places like hotels and train stations to prevent similar tragedies.