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38 fun facts for August, 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
August 26th is a day full of historical events and celebrations, including National Dog Day in the US, the adoption of the 19th Amendment granting American women the right to vote, and the birth of Mother Teresa. From Hurricane Andrew's devastation to the first televised Major League Baseball game, this date has seen a variety of notable moments throughout history.
38 Fun facts
  1. August 26 is National Dog Day in the United States, a day to celebrate man's best friend and the special bond between dogs and their owners. It was founded by Colleen Paige in 2004, to raise awareness about adopting and rescuing dogs.
  2. On August 26, 1883, the volcanic island of Krakatoa in modern-day Indonesia erupted in what is considered one of the most violent eruptions in modern history. The explosion was heard more than 3,000 miles away and affected global climate for several years.
  3. On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was adopted, granting American women the right to vote. This historic day is now observed as Women's Equality Day in the United States.
  4. On August 26, 1968, the Democratic National Convention began in Chicago, USA. Amidst widespread protests, police forces used coercive tactics against the demonstrators. The events later became known as the "Chicago Eight" trial.
  5. On August 26th, 1939, the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball teams competed in the first televised professional baseball game, bringing a beloved American pastime directly into living rooms across the country.
  6. August 26 is National Heroes' Day in the Philippines. It is observed annually, in remembrance of the "Cry of Pugad Lawin", a key event in the Filipino struggle for independence against Spanish rule.
  7. On August 26, 1930, Lon Chaney, the legendary silent film actor known as "The Man of a Thousand Faces," passed away. His skill in disguising his appearance in films such as "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is still celebrated today.
  8. August 26 is World Homeopathy Day, which marks the birthday of its founder Dr. Samuel Hahnemann. It aims to increase public awareness of this form of alternative medicine, which was established in the late 18th century.
  9. Thurgood Marshall was confirmed to the United States Supreme Court on August 26, 1967, becoming the first African-American Supreme Court Justice.
  10. On August 26, 1995, Charlie Sheen tied the knot with model Donna Peele. Though their marriage was brief, lasting only five months, it was one of the more notable celebrity weddings of the decade.
  11. On August 26, 1910, Mother Teresa, the renowned Roman Catholic nun and missionary, was born in modern-day Macedonia. She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work in helping the poor and sick in India.
  12. The National Park Service, an agency within the United States Department of the Interior responsible for managing the country's national parks and monuments, was established on August 26, 1916.
  13. On August 26, 1873, The University of New Zealand was established. It became the first university in the country and was the main degree-granting body until it was dissolved in 1961.
  14. French-American writer and artist Anatole Broyard was born on August 26, 1920. Known for his candid insights into American life, he wrote for The New York Times, The Nation, and Harper's, among other publications.
  15. Precognitive dreams inspired Mary Shelley to begin writing her novel "Frankenstein" on August 26, 1816. This classic work of fiction has since become one of the most enduring horror stories in literary history.
  16. On August 26, 1913, the Dublin Lockout started, which saw over 20,000 workers and 300 employers clash in a bitter labor dispute. The lockout ended on January 18, 1914, and was one of the largest industrial disputes in Irish history.
  17. On August 26, 1980, the Pioneer Venus Multiprobe was launched by NASA, with the goal of studying Venus's atmosphere and surface. It consisted of a main probe and three smaller probes, which were dropped on the planet's surface to relay data back to Earth.
  18. In 1839, the French Daguerreotype process was announced on August 26. This early photographic technique utilized chemically treated metal plates to capture and display images, revolutionizing photography and visual art.
  19. On August 26, 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in South Florida as a Category 5 hurricane. It left a path of destruction across the region, ultimately causing about $26 billion in damages and killing 65 people.
  20. Inventor Nikola Tesla filed a patent application for his "Radiant Energy" device on August 26, 1896. His invention promised to revolutionize the production and consumption of electricity, although it failed to gain widespread adoption.
  21. On August 26, 1928, actor Joe Jackson, the famous clown of American silent film and vaudeville, died. Known for his slapstick comedy and incredible agility, his performances entertained audiences for decades.
  22. The first Vitascope theater in the United States opened on August 26, 1896, in Buffalo, New York. The Vitascope was an early movie projector that cast pictures onto a screen, paving the way for modern cinema.
  23. American explorer William Clark was named Brigadier General of Indian Affairs for the Louisiana Territory on August 26, 1804. This appointment played a key role in the development of the American West, as well as the treatment of Native American tribes in the region.
  24. On August 26, 1981, Voyager II made its closest approach to Saturn. The spacecraft captured images and collected scientific data about the ringed planet during its flyby, providing valuable insights into the composition of Saturn and its moons.
  25. On August 26, 1917, the Australian Red Cross raised an estimated £22,320 in a single day through a door-knocking campaign. The money was used to support the Australian troops fighting in World War I.
  26. The World Anti-Slavery Convention took place on August 26, 1840, in London. Delegates from around the world gathered to discuss strategies to combat slavery and promote human rights.
  27. On August 26, 1963, prominent French novelist and diplomat Romain Gary published his book "Lady L," which became a bestseller and was later adapted into a successful movie starring Sophia Loren and Paul Newman.
  28. In 1971, Igor Stravinsky's opera "The Rake's Progress" premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on August 26. The groundbreaking opera, noted for its complex score and witty libretto, remains one of Stravinsky's most performed works.
  29. August 26, 1974, marked the first time the Rolling Stones performed in Poland. The concert took place at the Warsaw Congress Hall and attracted enthusiastic fans from all over the country.
  30. The first recorded ascent of the Eiger mountain in Switzerland took place on August 26, 1858, by climbers Charles Barrington, Christian Almer, and Peter Bohren. The Eiger is known for its treacherous North Face, which was not successfully climbed until 1938.
  31. August 26, 1992, saw the formation of the band Audioslave, which featured members of both Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden. The band went on to become highly influential, with their debut album going multi-platinum.
  32. On August 26, 1935, American jazz trumpeter Benny Goodman and his band began performing regularly on the NBC radio show "Let's Dance." This exposure helped launch Goodman's career and earn him the nickname "The King of Swing."
  33. Born on August 26, 1946, Valerie Simpson is an American songwriter, singer, and pianist, best known for her work as half of the songwriting duo Ashford & Simpson. She co-wrote several iconic hits, including "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and "I'm Every Woman."
  34. On August 26, 2018, Senator John McCain passed away. A highly respected politician, McCain was a six-term Arizona senator and the 2008 Republican presidential nominee.
  35. Giuseppe Farina, the Italian racing driver who won the first Formula One World Championship in 1950, was born on August 26, 1906. He competed for both Alfa Romeo and Ferrari, achieving a total of five Grand Prix victories.
  36. The asteroid 333 Badenia, which orbits the Sun in the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, was discovered on August 26, 1892, by Max Wolf, a German astronomer. The asteroid is named after the Latin name for the region of Baden in Germany.
  37. On August 26, 1944, Charles de Gaulle, the President of the French Provisional Government, entered Paris after the city was liberated from German occupation. This marked an important step toward the end of World War II and the restoration of French sovereignty.
  38. The legendary jazz musician Branford Marsalis was born on August 26, 1960. An acclaimed saxophonist, composer, and bandleader, Marsalis has been a leading figure in jazz music for over four decades.

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