On This Day in History

June 26

Historical Events

Jourdan at Fleurus with the balloon l'Entreprenant in the background

1794 Battle of Fleurus: Major victory by forces of the First French Republic under General Jean-Baptiste Jourdan over the Coalition Army (Great Britain, Hanover, Dutch Republic, and Habsburgs). First use of a reconnaissance balloon.

1857 The first 62 recipients are awarded the Victoria Cross for valour in the Crimean war by Queen Victoria.

1917 First US troops arrive in France during World War I.

Preamble to the Charter of the United Nations

1945 The United Nations Charter is signed by 50 nations in San Francisco.

2016 Panama Canal's third set of locks opens for commercial traffic, doubling the Canal’s capacity at an estimated cost of $5.25 billion.

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Famous Birthdays

Charles Messier 1730 - 1817 William Thomson 1824 - 1907

Salvador Allende 1908 - 1973 Ariana Grande 31st Birthday

Also Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Derek Jeter (50).

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Famous Deaths

Francisco Pizarro Died in 1541 Liz Claiborne 1929 - 2007

Also James Weldon Johnson and Nora Ephron.

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Kennedy's Clarion Call for Freedom

Former US President John F. Kennedy was renowned for his oratory – typified by his electrifying "Ich bin ein Berliner" speech delivered on this day.

Ich bin ein Berliner!