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36 fun facts for April, 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
On April 26th, significant events such as the Chernobyl disaster, first polio vaccine trials, and NASA's Ranger 4 crash-landing on the moon took place. The day is also marked by the celebration of World Intellectual Property Day, National Pretzel Day, Audubon Day, Richter Scale Day, and Kids and Pets Day.
36 Fun facts
  1. On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl disaster occurred in Ukraine during a safety test at the nuclear power plant, resulting in the world's worst nuclear accident. The explosion and fires caused radioactive contamination that affected millions of people.
  2. In 1954, medical professionals administered the first polio vaccine trials, which were developed by Dr. Jonas Salk. The successful trials contributed to the eventual eradication of polio in most countries around the world.
  3. On April 26, 1962, the NASA spacecraft Ranger 4 crash-landed on the moon, becoming the first American spacecraft to reach the lunar surface. Despite the crash, the mission was considered a significant milestone for American space exploration.
  4. April 26th is World Intellectual Property Day. This international day was established by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in 2000 to raise awareness about the importance of intellectual property rights in innovation and creativity.
  5. On April 26, 1769, Scottish engineer James Watt received a patent for his steam engine design. This invention played a significant role in the Industrial Revolution and launched the age of steam-powered machinery.
  6. In 1803, on this day in history, thousands of meteorite fragments fell in L'Aigle, France. The French Academy of Sciences sent Jean-Baptiste Biot to investigate, which led to the recognition of meteorites as celestial objects.
  7. April 26th is National Pretzel Day in the United States. This day celebrates the salty and twisted snack that originates from Europe and has become a popular food item in America.
  8. On April 26, 1963, the French satirical magazine 'Le Canard Enchaîné' revealed that French President Charles de Gaulle had been secretly using a personal airplane when traveling. The scandal became known as 'La Baleine.'
  9. April 26, 1937, saw the infamous bombing of the small Spanish town of Guernica by a combined German and Italian air force during the Spanish Civil War. Though the number of casualties is debated, the bombing and subsequent Picasso painting have become symbols of anti-war protests.
  10. In 1933, the Gestapo, the official secret police of Nazi Germany, was established by Hermann Göring. Their role was to brutally suppress opposition to the Nazi regime and carry out the Holocaust.
  11. On April 26, 2005, the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial passenger plane, completed its first flight in Toulouse, France. The superjumbo jet was designed to transport up to 853 passengers and fly up to 8,000 nautical miles.
  12. Actor Channing Tatum was born on April 26, 1980, in Cullman, Alabama, United States. He has starred in films such as "Magic Mike," "21 Jump Street," and "Step Up."
  13. On April 26, 1994, South Africa held its first multiracial democratic elections, marking the end of apartheid. Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress, was elected as the first black president of the country.
  14. In 1828, on this day, explorer and naturalist Charles Darwin started his journey to the Galapagos archipelago aboard the HMS Beagle.
  15. On April 26, 1478, during the Pazzi conspiracy in Renaissance Florence, members of the Pazzi family and others attempted to assassinate the Medici brothers Lorenzo and Giuliano. Lorenzo survived, and the conspirators were eventually executed or exiled.
  16. April 26th is National Audubon Day in the United States. This day honors the birth of John James Audubon, a Franco-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter known for his studies and illustrations of North American birds.
  17. On April 26, 1989, the world-renowned American film actress, writer, and producer, Lucille Ball, passed away. She was best known for her role in the television sitcom 'I Love Lucy.'
  18. In 1964, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form the modern-day country of Tanzania. The name Tanzania is a blend of the two previous names, reflecting the union.
  19. On this day in 1977, iconic disco club Studio 54 opened its doors to the public in New York City. The venue became a hotspot for celebrities and was known for its extravagant parties until it closed in 1980.
  20. In 2019, on this date, Marvel Studios' highly anticipated film, "Avengers: Endgame," was released, marking the conclusion of the epic Infinity Saga. The film became the highest-grossing movie of all time, surpassing James Cameron's "Avatar."
  21. On April 26, 1912, renowned Italian journalist Indro Montanelli was born. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential Italian journalists of the 20th century, winning numerous awards for his work.
  22. In 1859, on this day, English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton published his novel "The Coming Race," which inspired the science fiction genre and influenced the concept of Hollow Earth.
  23. On April 26, 1988, the TV series "China Beach" premiered in the United States. Loosely based on events during the Vietnam War, the show starred Dana Delany and focused on the experiences of medical personnel and support staff at an evacuation hospital.
  24. On this day in 1932, writer and political activist Grace Lee Boggs was born. Throughout her life, she advocated for civil rights, labor rights, and women's rights, making her a significant figure in the United States' social justice movements.
  25. April 26th is National Richter Scale Day in the United States, celebrating the birth of Charles F. Richter, the American seismologist who developed the Richter Scale to measure the magnitude of earthquakes.
  26. In 1966, the 38th Academy Awards took place on this day. The film 'The Sound of Music' won five Oscars, including Best Picture, and Julie Andrews won Best Actress for her role as Maria von Trapp.
  27. On April 26, 1970, the First Earth Day was celebrated in the United States, demonstrating support for environmental protection. The event has since grown into an annual global event to promote environmental awareness and conservation efforts.
  28. In 1564, on this day, English playwright and poet William Shakespeare was baptized. His exact birth date remains unknown, but celebrating it on April 23rd has become customary.
  29. On April 26, 1999, English actor, comedian, and writer David Walliams began his professional acting career, appearing as Jake in the British television series "Belfry Witches."
  30. In 1984, on this day, the musical 'La Cage aux Folles' premiered on Broadway, winning six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
  31. On April 26, 2007, Russia became the first country to plant their national flag at the geographic North Pole. The feat was achieved during the Arktika 2007 expedition using a manned mini-submarine.
  32. In 2018, on this day, the European Space Agency's (ESA) Gaia Probe released data about more than 1 billion stars in the Milky Way, vastly improving our understanding of the galaxy's structure and composition.
  33. On April 26, 2002, the last successful telemetry from the Pioneer 10 spacecraft was received by NASA. Launched in 1972, Pioneer 10 became the first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and make a flyby of Jupiter.
  34. In 2005, the iTunes Music Store reached a milestone, selling its 350 millionth song. At the time, 1.35 million tracks were available for purchase on the platform.
  35. On this day in 1965, singer-songwriter Björk released her first album, paying tribute to her Icelandic heritage. The young artist has since become synonymous with innovation and boundary-breaking in the world of music.
  36. April 26th is National Kids and Pets Day in the United States. This day celebrates the bond between children and their pets, promoting responsible pet ownership and raising awareness about proper pet care among children.

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