January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 339 days remain until the end of the year.
We have some interesting facts & historic events all about January 26th, including areas in religion, crime, health and more.
Keep reading for more interesting facts about January 26th in history!
Table of Contents
Global Celebrations
- National Spouses Day
- Australia Day
- National Peanut Brittle Day
- Republic Day in India
Historic Events
What Happened On This Day – January 26
2001: A massive earthquake hits Gujarat, India
About 20,000 people died and over 160,000 people were injured.
1998: In a TV statement, Bill Clinton denies having had “sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky
”On August 17, 1998, Clinton admitted to having had an “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.
1950: India becomes a republic
The Constitution of India came into effect that day.
1905: The world’s largest diamond is found in South Africa
The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3106.75 carats (621.35 g or 1.37 lb) and has an estimated value of 2 billion USD.
1788: The first Europeans settle in Australia
The first elements of the British “First Fleet” had arrived in Sydney Harbour on January 18.
1993: Chechen Freedom Fighter with collected Russian Dog Tags. Prob. 1993
1990: Soldiers of the Soviet Army on the streets of Riga after a demonstration on May 4 to commemorate the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of Latvia, 1990.
1970: American soldiers smoke marijuana mainly with shotguns. South Vietnam, November 1970
1961: Fidel Castro and Yuri Gagarin (1961)
1944: The “Parade of the Vanquished”- almost 60,000 Wehrmacht prisoners-of-war march the streets of Moscow, 1944.
1932: Prince Randian and Johnny Eck, stars of the cult classic horror film “Freaks” 1932.
1928: Jaques Biederer, the first photographer in history specializing in erotic photos. This photo was taken in Paris in 1928.
1918: Armistice Day parade in Masterton, New Zealand circa 11 November 1918.
1915: Autochrome of the Palace of Horticulture at the Pan American Exposition in San Francisco, taken in 1915. Restored by me.
1876 – 1878: Great famine of 1876 – 1878
Famous Birthdays
Births On This Day, January 26
1961: Wayne Gretzky, Canadian ice hockey player, coach
1958: Ellen DeGeneres, American comedian, actress, talk show host
1955: Eddie Van Halen, Dutch/American guitarist, songwriter, producer
1925: Paul Newman, American actor, director, race car driver, businessman, co-founded Newman’s Own
1918: Nicolae Ceaușescu, Romanian politician, 11th President of Romania
Heartbreaking Deaths
Deaths On This Day, January 26
1992: José Ferrer, Puerto Rican actor
1979: Nelson Rockefeller, American politician, 41st Vice President of the United States
1962: Lucky Luciano, Italian/American mobster
1952: Khorloogiin Choibalsan, Mongolian military officer, ruler
1948: John Lomax, American musicologist
