This Day In History : August 26

1789 France

The National Constituent Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen at the beginning of the French Revolution

On August 26, 1789, the National Constituent Assembly of France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This landmark document, inspired by Enlightenment principles and the American Revolution, outlined fundamental rights and freedoms, including liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Also on This Day in History August 26

Discover what happened on August 26 with HISTORY's summaries of major events, anniversaries,
famous births and notable deaths.

Births on This Day, August 26
  • 1850 Charles Richet

    French physiologist, bacteriologist and pathologist who was awarded the 1913 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine.

  • 2024 Jerome C. Hunsaker

    American aeronautical engineer who made major innovations in the design of aircraft and lighter-than-air ships, seaplanes, and carrier-based aircraft.

  • 1906 Albert Bruce Sabin

    Albert Bruce Sabin was a Polish-American medical researcher, best known for developing the oral polio vaccine, which has played a key role in nearly eradicating the disease.

  • 1951 Edward Witten

    Edward Witten is an American theoretical physicist known for his contributions to string theory, topological quantum field theory, and various areas of mathematics.

  • 1900 Hedley Marston

    Hedley Ralph Marston was an Australian biochemist who spent three decades with his colleagues researching the role of cobalt and other trace elements in animal and plant nutrition.

Deaths on This Day, August 26
  • 1974 Charles A. Lindbergh

    Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator who is famous for making the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic (1927).

  • 1895 Johann Friedrich Miescher

    Swiss biochemist and biologist who studied cell metabolism and discovered nucleic acids.

  • 1998 Robert Joseph Huebner

    American virologist whose theory that certain genes, which he called oncogenes, are involved in cancer focused researchers' attention on finding them.

  • 1987 Georg Wittig

    German chemist whose studies of organic phosphorus compounds won him a share (with Herbert C. Brown) of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1979.

  • 1723 Antonie van Leeuwenhoek

    Dutch biologist and microscopist who by skilled use of microscopy first discovered bacteria, protists, sperm cells, blood cells and various structures in animal and plant tissues.

1959

The Morris Mini-Minor was introduced by the British Motor Corporation

In 1959, the Morris Mini-Minor was introduced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC). Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the car became iconic for its revolutionary transverse engine front-wheel-drive layout, which maximized interior space while minimizing the vehicle's footprint. The Mini's compact size, economical operation, and distinctive design quickly made it a favorite among drivers and an enduring symbol of British automotive engineering.
1933

Jan van Houten bicycles world record time (44,588 km)

On August 26, 1937, Jan van Houten set a world record for the longest distance cycled in 24 hours, covering an impressive 44.588 kilometers. This record-setting achievement showcased van Houten's endurance and cycling prowess, earning him a prominent place in cycling history.
1974

Soyuz 15 carries 2 cosmonauts to space station Salyut 3

The Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 15 carried two cosmonauts to the space station Salyut 3. The mission launched on August 26, 1974. However, due to docking issues, the mission was cut short, and the cosmonauts returned to Earth without successfully docking with the space station.
2023

Longest alligator ever recorded in Mississippi at 14ft, 3in (4.3m), weighing 802.5 pounds (364 kilograms)

The longest alligator ever recorded in Mississippi was captured in the Sunflower River, measuring 14 feet 3 inches (4.3 meters) and weighing 802.5 pounds (364 kilograms). This massive alligator set a state record for length and weight.
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