December 26: Fun Facts about Today in History

(December 26, 1908)
The first black heavyweight champion was American boxer Jack Johnson, who beat Australian Tommy Burns in Sydney. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 26, 1963)
I Want to Hold Your Hand, with I Saw Her Standing There on the B-side, was the first Beatles single to be released in the United States, and it was a major success, helping to kick off Beatlemania. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 26, 1966)
The first Kwanzaa celebrations began in the United States, and the holiday lasted until January 1; Maulana Karenga developed the yearly festival, which honours African family and social ideals. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 26, 1973)
In the United States, the horror classic The Exorcist, based on William Peter Blatty's novel about a young girl possessed by the Devil, was released. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, including one for director William Friedkin, and went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of all time. photo source: wikimedia.org

(December 26, 2004)
Northern Sumatra is shaken by a 9.1–9.3 Mw Indian Ocean earthquake with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent). It was one of the greatest tsunamis ever recorded, affecting coastal and partially mainland areas in Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Indonesia; the death toll is estimated at 227,898. photo source: wikimedia.org

(Died on December 26, 2020)
Brodie Lee, American Professional Wrestler (b.1979).