33 fun facts for September, 26

Discover dozens of fun facts for this special day. Read the summary for a quick recap on what happened.
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Summary
September 26th is a day filled with fascinating milestones, including the birth of renowned musicians like George Gershwin and the world-changing invention of the steam-powered model railway engine. From celebrating National Pancake Day in the United States to acknowledging good neighbors and contraception awareness, this day offers something to remember and celebrate worldwide.
33 Fun facts
  1. September 26th is known as World Contraception Day, which focuses on raising awareness around the importance of contraception for preventing unintended pregnancies and ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted.
  2. On September 26, 1733, a treaty was signed between the Holy Roman Empire and Spain, dividing the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily, creating the Bourbon monarchy in Italy.
  3. September 26 marks the birth of legendary American folk musician George Gershwin, born in 1898. Gershwin composed timeless classics such as "Rhapsody in Blue" and the opera "Porgy and Bess."
  4. Johnny Appleseed Day is celebrated on September 26th in the United States, honoring the memory of John Chapman, an American pioneer who planted apple trees across many states.
  5. On September 26, 1960, the first-ever televised presidential debate took place between candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, forever changing the way political campaigns are run in the United States.
  6. The Beatles released their fourth album, “Beatles For Sale,” on September 26, 1964. The album featured popular hits such as “Eight Days a Week” and “No Reply.”
  7. The 1983 Australian television series “Neighbours” premiered on September 26. The show became one of the longest-running soap operas in television history, launching the careers of prominent actors like Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
  8. On September 26, 1687, the Parthenon, a former temple in Athens, was severely damaged during a Venetian bombardment during the Morean War, causing part of the central structure to collapse.
  9. September 26, 1991, marked the beginning of the NASA-funded Biosphere 2 experiment in Oracle, Arizona. The project aimed to investigate closed ecological systems with the intention of one day replicating Earth's ecosystems on other planets.
  10. Physicist Niels Bohr published his revolutionary theory of the structure of an atom in 1913 on September 26. The theory earned him a Nobel Prize and changed the field of physics.
  11. The Anglo-Russian Entente Treaty, an agreement between the United Kingdom and Russia, was signed on September 26, 1907. This treaty marked the end of decades-long rivalries between the two countries, primarily in Asia.
  12. September 26th marks the birthday of American actor and comedian, Lilly Singh, born in 1988, who achieved fame on YouTube and eventually became the host of her own late-night TV show, "A Little Late with Lilly Singh."
  13. On September 26, 1953, American sugar chemist Raymond R. Wright patented instant mashed potatoes, revolutionizing the way people prepared and consumed this popular side dish.
  14. September 26 is the birthday of American writer T.S. Eliot, born in 1888. The revered poet and playwright are best known for works such as "The Waste Land" and "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats," which inspired the musical "Cats."
  15. On September 26, 1892, Levi Strauss and Jacob W. Davis were granted a patent for their invention of blue jeans with rivet-reinforced pockets, beginning the global phenomenon of denim jeans.
  16. American actress Olivia Newton-John was born on September 26, 1948. She rose to fame through her role as Sandy Olsson in the iconic 1978 film "Grease" and became a successful pop singer and philanthropist.
  17. On September 26, 1896, the first recorded automobile accident occurred in New York City between a Duryea Motor Wagon and a nondescript carriage.
  18. September 26th is National Pancake Day in the United States, a day to celebrate the beloved breakfast dish topped with maple syrup, butter, and fresh fruits.
  19. The Indus Valley Civilization was discovered on September 26, 1924, when British archaeologist Sir John Marshall uncovered the ancient city of Mohenjo-Daro in modern-day Pakistan.
  20. September 26th marks the birthday of American novelist Jane Smiley, born in 1949. She is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel "A Thousand Acres," a modern reinterpretation of Shakespeare's "King Lear."
  21. The first designated Women's Cricket World Cup was held on September 26, 1973, seven years before the men's tournament was launched.
  22. September 26th is National Good Neighbor Day in the United States, a day to celebrate and acknowledge the importance of good neighbors and fostering friendly, supportive communities.
  23. Scientist Thomas Jefferson Crampton patented the first steam-powered model railway engine on September 26, 1843.
  24. The famous research boat, Calypso, belonging to oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, sank on September 26, 1996, after accidentally being rammed by a barge in Singapore Harbor.
  25. September 26th is the birthday of American television host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres, born in 1958. Ellen is known for her groundbreaking sitcom "Ellen" and her long-running daytime talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
  26. The first Federal Express (FedEx) plane took off on September 26, 1975, from Memphis International Airport, introducing overnight package delivery and changing the logistics industry forever.
  27. On September 26, 1774, John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, was born, later attaining the status of American folk hero for his role in spreading apple tree cultivation throughout the Midwest United States.
  28. September 26 is the birthday of American fitness guru, Richard Simmons, born in 1948. Simmons revolutionized the world of exercise with his highly energetic and fun workout programs, which gained widespread popularity in the 1980s.
  29. On September 26, 2008, Swiss pilot Yves Rossy, known as the "Jetman," flew across the English Channel using a jet-powered wing strapped to his back, setting a world record for the longest solo jetpack flight.
  30. The United States Post Office adopted the Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) code system on September 26, 1941, to streamline mail sorting and delivery.
  31. On September 26, 1983, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov prevented a potential nuclear disaster when he correctly identified a false alarm and chose not to launch a retaliatory strike against the United States.
  32. The Phantom of the Opera made its Broadway debut on September 26, 1986. The long-running musical, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, holds the record for the longest-running show in Broadway history.
  33. Professional golfer Tiger Woods won his first-ever PGA Tour event on September 26, 1996. Woods went on to become one of the most successful golfers in the history of the sport, accumulating 82 PGA Tour wins and 15 major championship titles.

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