August 26: Fun Facts about Today in History

Today in History

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Learn about the most intriguing events and historical facts that occurred on August 26 throughout history. The 238th day of the Gregorian calendar is August 26. Captain James Cook set sail on the HMS Endeavour on this day, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the Mercedez-Benz Stadium in Atlanta opened.

The 26th of August falls under the sign of Virgo. Chris Pine, Mother Teresa, and Melissa McCarthy all have famous birthdays. National Dog Day and Raksha Bandhan both fall on August 26.

Event
Happy Birthday! (August 26, 1819) Albert, Prince Consort of the United Kingdom. photo source: wikimedia.org
Advertisements (August 26, 1920) The United States' Constitution was amended to include the Nineteenth Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. photo source: wikimedia.org
(August 26, 1978) Albino Cardinal Luciani was elected Pope John Paul I, but he died 33 days later of a heart attack.
(August 26, 2015) Amelia Boynton Robinson, an American civil rights activist who organised the Selma March (1965), a watershed moment in the civil rights movement that led directly to the passing of the Voting Rights Act, died at the age of 104.
(August 26, 2018) Neil Simon, an American playwright, screenwriter, and TV writer, died at the age of 91. He was one of the most renowned playwrights in American theatre history, known for works such as The Odd Couple and Biloxi Blues.