Fact 1: Birthday of John James Audubon
Famous ornithologist and painter, John James Audubon, was born on April 26, 1785. He played an instrumental role in the preservation of North American bird species with his detailed illustrations and is celebrated for his book, "The Birds of America".
Fact 2: Chernobyl Disaster
On April 26, 1986, the world's worst nuclear power plant disaster occurred at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The repercussions are still felt today as the area around the plant continues to be heavily polluted and inhabitable.
Fact 3: The celebration of World Intellectual Property Day
Each year on April 26, the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrates World Intellectual Property Day to raise awareness about the role IP plays in promoting creativity and innovation.
Fact 4: Tangshan Earthquake
April 26 may be a fateful day for natural disasters. The Tangshan Earthquake, considered the deadliest of the 20th Century, struck China on April 26, 1976, leading to a massive loss of life.
Fact 5: Guinness World Record Day of Books
Coincidentally, on this day in 2011, a total record of 12,367 books were collected and exchanged in Australia as part of World Book Night, breaking the Guinness World Record for most books exchanged in 24 hours.
Fact 6: The Opening of King Tut’s Tomb
On April 26, 1923, the burial chamber of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, famously known as King Tut, was opened after being sealed for 3,200 years.
Fact 7: The Sierra Leone Independence Day
On April 26, 1961, Sierra Leone received its independence from British rule, making it an important day in the country's history.
Fact 8: Birth of Carol Burnett
Well-loved American actress and comedienne, Carol Burnett, was born on April 26, 1933.
Fact 9: Formation of the United Nations
On April 26, 1945, the United Nations Conference on International Organization was formally convened, leading to the creation of the United Nations charter.
Fact 10: Tanzania's Union Day
April 26 also holds significance for Tanzania, commemorating the unification of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.
Fact 11: Milestone for The Simpsons
On April 26, 2012, “The Simpsons,” the longest-running American sitcom, aired its milestone 500th episode.
Fact 12: Launch of Boston's Freedom Trail
On April 26, 1951, Boston's historic walking trail, the Freedom Trail was launched. It spans over 2.5 miles, marking 16 locations significant to the history of the United States.
Fact 13: 'Alien Day'
The Alien film franchise fans celebrate April 26 as 'Alien Day,' referencing the moon LV-426, where the Alien eggs were originally found in the film.
Fact 14: First Successful Vaccine
The Salk vaccine against polio, the first successful vaccine to be developed, was declared safe and effective on April 26, 1954.
Fact 15: South African Freedom Day
April 26, 1994, was the day when South Africa held its first democratic and non-racial national election. It is now celebrated as Freedom Day.
Fact 16: Death of Naturalist Jim Fowler
Famous for his work on the Emmy-winning series "Wild Kingdom," naturalist Jim Fowler passed away on April 26, 2019.
Fact 17: The Release of Michael Jackson's 'Beat It'
On April 26, 1983, Michael Jackson's hit single 'Beat It' from the album Thriller was released.
Fact 18: Birth of Marcus Aurelius
Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, best known for his Meditations on Stoic philosophy, was born on April 26, 121.
Fact 19: The First Edition of The Journey of Mankind
On April 26, 2002, a geneticist, Dr. Spencer Wells, released the first edition of The Journey of Mankind, a genetic roadmap of human species across the globe.
Fact 20: Anniversary of William Shakespeare's Baptism
Although the exact date of William Shakespeare’s birth is not known, he was baptized on April 26, 1564, and the day is often celebrated as his birthday.