26 January

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

  1. Global Celebrations
  2. Historic Events
  3. Famous Birthdays
  4. Heartbreaking Deaths

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

Chechen Freedom Fighter with collected Russian Dog Tags. Prob. 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.

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.
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

American soldiers smoke marijuana mainly with shotguns. South Vietnam, November 1970
American soldiers smoke marijuana mainly with shotguns. South Vietnam, November 1970

1961: Fidel Castro and Yuri Gagarin (1961)

Fidel Castro and Yuri Gagarin (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.

The “Parade of the Vanquished”- almost 60,000 Wehrmacht prisoners-of-war march the streets of Moscow, 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.

Prince Randian and Johnny Eck, stars of the cult classic horror film “Freaks” 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.

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.

Armistice Day parade in Masterton, New Zealand circa 11 November 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.

Autochrome of the Palace of Horticulture at the Pan American Exposition in San Francisco, taken in 1915. Restored by me.
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

Great famine of 1876 - 1878
The 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

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