Historical Events on October 26
- 1774: In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 1st Continental Congress adjourns.
- 1775: King George III approaches Parliament and declares that the American colonies are in full rebellion authorizes a military response to put down the American Revolution.
- 1776: Benjamin Franklin leaves America and goes to France to seek French support for the American Revolution.
- 1813: During the War of 1812, American forces at the Battle of Chateauguay are defeated by a combined force of British soldiers, Canadian militia and Mohawk Indians.
- 1825: The Erie Canal opens on this day.
- 1861: After operating for only 18 months, the Pony Express ends its operations on this day.
- 1881: In Tombstone, Arizona, a 30-second shootout breaks out between “The Cowboys” and lawmen. The result was that Billy Clanton, Frank McLaury and Tom McLaury were killed.
- 1905: The independence of Norway is accepted by Sweden.
- 1917: During World War I, Brazil declares war against the Central Powers.
- 1936: Hoover Dam goes into full operation.
- 1942: At the Battle of Santa Cruz during World War II, U.S aircraft carrier Hornet is sunk and the U.S aircraft carrier Enterprise is damaged.
- 1944: At the Battle of Leyte Gulf during WWII, American forces end the battle with a victory.
- 2003: The 2nd largest fire in California history – the Cedar Fire – destroys a quarter-of-a-million acres, over twenty-two hundred homes and kills fifteen people.
- 2015: Over twenty-five hundred people are injured and almost four hundred people are killed when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hits the Hindu Kush mountain range in Afghanistan.
- 2016: A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hits central Italy.
Famous Birthdays on October 26
- American singer Mahalia Jackson is born in 1911.
- Scottish poet Sorley MacLean is born in 1911.
- American director Don Siegel is born in 1912.
- American captain and politician, Edward W. Brooke is born in 1919.
- American author Pat Conroy is born in 1945.
- Greek author and poet Demetris Gotsis is born in 1945.
- American actress Jaclyn Smith is born in 1945.
- American lawyer, politician and First Lady of the U.S., Hillary Clinton is born in 1947.