This article explores significant historical events that occurred on June 26th, spanning centuries and covering diverse themes such as political changes, pivotal battles, and cultural milestones.
From the death of a Roman emperor to landmark Supreme Court decisions, this chronological exploration reveals how June 26th has been a stage for transformative changes and enduring legacies throughout history.
Each event reflects its era’s complexities and demonstrates the lasting impacts these moments have had on the world.
June 26th – On this Day in History
363 – Roman Emperor Julian dies during the retreat from the Sassanid Empire
Julian, known as Julian the Apostate for his rejection of Christianity in favor of paganism, was the Roman Emperor who sought to revive the traditional Roman religious practices.
During his campaign against the Sassanid Empire in Persia, Julian sustained a mortal wound under unclear circumstances during a skirmish or due to a stray arrow.
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His death marked a significant moment as it ended the last major attempt to restore paganism within the Roman Empire. Julian’s death led to the swift elevation of Jovian, a Christian, to the imperial throne, reaffirming the empire’s Christian trajectory.
1483 – Richard III is crowned King of England
Richard III ascended to the throne under controversial circumstances involving the declaration of the children of his brother, King Edward IV, as illegitimate. This move cleared his path to the throne and was followed by his coronation on June 26, 1483.
Richard’s reign was marked by the enduring mystery of the fate of the Princes in the Tower and was characterized by significant political strife and rebellion.
His rule culminated in his death in 1485 at the Battle of Bosworth Field, a decisive battle that effectively ended the Wars of the Roses and ushered in the Tudor dynasty.
1541 – Francisco Pizarro, Spanish conqueror of Peru, is assassinated in Lima
Francisco Pizarro, the Spanish explorer and conquistador, played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. He founded Lima, which he called the City of Kings, as the capital of the new Spanish colony.
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However, his reign in the new world was marked by strife among his fellow conquistadors and dissent within his ranks. Pizarro was assassinated in his palace in Lima by followers of a rival conquistador faction, led by the sons of his former partner Diego Almagro, who felt aggrieved by Pizarro’s actions and sought retribution.
1723 – After a siege and bombardment by cannon, Baku surrenders to the Russians
The city of Baku, located on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, was a coveted prize due to its strategic importance and the wealth of its oil reserves. In 1723, during the Russo-Persian War, Russian forces laid siege to Baku and bombarded the city heavily.
The Russian campaign was part of a larger effort to secure Russian interests in the Caspian region and to exert influence over the declining Safavid Empire in Persia. The capture of Baku marked a significant expansion of Russian power into the Caucasus.
1848 – End of the June Days Uprising in Paris
The June Days Uprising was a worker rebellion in Paris, occurring from June 23 to June 26, 1848. It was triggered by the French Second Republic’s move to close the national workshops, which were employment centers established to provide work for the unemployed masses of Paris.
The closure decision came in the wake of the 1848 Revolution and ignited fierce protests from the working-class population.
The revolt was brutally suppressed by the newly formed republican government, which deployed the army against its own people, resulting in a high number of casualties. This event highlighted the deep social divisions within French society and foreshadowed further instability.
1870 – The Christian holiday of Christmas is declared a federal holiday in the United States
In 1870, the United States officially recognized Christmas as a federal holiday, reflecting the growing cultural significance of the holiday in American society.
This legislative act was part of a broader movement in the 19th century to formalize the celebration of Christmas, which had been evolving from a predominantly religious observance to a more secular and inclusive family-oriented holiday.
The establishment of Christmas as a federal holiday also represented an effort to promote unity and goodwill in the aftermath of the Civil War, offering a day of peace and festivity to a recovering nation.
1906 – The first Grand Prix motor racing event held at Le Mans
On June 26, 1906, the first Grand Prix motor racing event took place in Le Mans, France. This race marked the beginning of organized motor racing as a competitive sport. The event was set up by the Automobile Club de France to encourage car manufacturers and drivers to showcase their vehicles’ speed and endurance.
The race covered over 1,000 kilometers, spread over two days, and attracted international attention. It set the foundation for what would later evolve into Formula One and other motor racing championships worldwide.
1917 – The first U.S. troops arrive in France for World War I
As World War I raged in Europe, the United States initially maintained a stance of neutrality. However, by 1917, due to repeated German submarine attacks on American ships and the revelation of the Zimmermann Telegram, which proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico against the U.S., America entered the war on the side of the Allies.
On June 26, 1917, the first American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) troops landed in Saint-Nazaire, France. These troops, led by General John J. Pershing, played a crucial role in bolstering Allied forces and contributing to the eventual victory in 1918.
1918 – World War I: Battle of Belleau Wood ends
The Battle of Belleau Wood was a significant conflict in World War I, involving American forces in one of their first major engagements. The battle began in early June 1918 and concluded on June 26. It was fought between American and German forces near the Marne River in France and became a defining moment for the U.S. Marine Corps.
American forces, displaying remarkable tenacity and bravery, cleared the woods of German soldiers, earning them the nickname “Devil Dogs” from the Germans. The victory at Belleau Wood not only stopped the German advance but also served as a morale booster for the Allied forces.
1934 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Federal Credit Union Act, which establishes credit unions
In the midst of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act on June 26, 1934. This legislation allowed for the formation of federally chartered credit unions in all states. The act aimed to promote thrift and provide access to affordable credit for people of modest means.
Credit unions, as cooperative financial institutions, were seen as an important tool to help individuals manage their finances more effectively, particularly during a time when the American banking system was in disarray. This move was part of a broader array of New Deal reforms intended to stabilize the economy and improve the welfare of the American public.
1940 – World War II: Under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Romania
Under the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, the Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Romania: On June 26, 1940, during the tumultuous early stages of World War II, the Soviet Union, leveraging the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact—a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union—issued an ultimatum to Romania.
The demand was for the cession of the territories of Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina. The Soviet justification was based on historical claims, as these regions had significant populations of ethnic Ukrainians and Russians.
Under immense pressure and facing a potential military confrontation, Romania was compelled to comply, and these territories were annexed by the Soviet Union, significantly altering the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.
1945 – The United Nations Charter is signed in San Francisco
The Charter of the United Nations was signed on June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, at the conclusion of the United Nations Conference on International Organization. Representatives from 50 countries came together to draft and sign the charter, establishing the United Nations as an international body aimed at promoting peace and cooperation worldwide.
This pivotal event marked a global commitment to diplomacy and collective security, laying the foundational framework for an organization that sought to prevent another devastating conflict like World War II. The charter officially came into force on October 24, 1945, now celebrated annually as United Nations Day.
1948 – The Western allies start the Berlin Airlift to supply West Berliners who are cut off by the Soviet blockade
In one of the first major crises of the Cold War, the Soviet Union blocked all ground routes into West Berlin in June 1948, hoping to gain control over the entire city by cutting off food, fuel, and other essential supplies to the sectors controlled by the United States, Britain, and France.
In response, on June 26, 1948, the Western Allies began the Berlin Airlift, an unprecedented logistical operation to deliver necessities to West Berlin by air.
Cargo planes flew around the clock, supplying West Berliners with everything from milk to coal, effectively breaking the Soviet blockade. This operation continued for over a year and symbolized the Western commitment to defending Berlin and containing Soviet expansion.
1963 – U.S. President John F. Kennedy gives his famous “Ich bin ein Berliner” speech
During a visit to West Berlin on June 26, 1963, amidst the heightened tensions of the Cold War, President John F. Kennedy delivered one of the most iconic speeches of his presidency.
Standing before a massive crowd near the Berlin Wall, he declared solidarity with the citizens of Berlin with the words “Ich bin ein Berliner,” which translates to “I am a Berliner.”
This statement was a powerful expression of U.S. support for West Berlin at a time when the city was a focal point of confrontation between the East and West, symbolizing the ideological and physical divide of Europe.
1974 – The Universal Product Code is scanned for the first time to sell a package of Wrigley’s chewing gum
On June 26, 1974, a significant milestone in retail technology occurred when the first Universal Product Code (UPC), commonly known as the barcode, was scanned at a supermarket in Troy, Ohio. The item was a 10-pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum.
This event marked the commercial debut of the barcode scanning system, which revolutionized the retail industry by streamlining the checkout process, improving inventory management, and paving the way for more sophisticated data analytics in retail operations. The use of UPCs quickly spread globally, becoming a fundamental component of modern commerce.
1975 – Two FBI agents and a member of the American Indian Movement are killed in a shootout on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
On June 26, 1975, a violent confrontation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota resulted in the deaths of two FBI agents, Jack Coler and Ronald Williams, and a Native American named Joe Stuntz, a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM).
The shootout occurred amidst a period of intense activism by AIM, which sought to address grievances related to treaty rights, living conditions, and sovereignty issues for Native American tribes.
The incident led to the controversial trial of Leonard Peltier, who was later convicted for the murder of the agents. This event remains a significant and contentious chapter in the history of Native American relations with federal law enforcement agencies.
1977 – Elvis Presley holds his last concert in Indianapolis
Elvis Presley, known as the “King of Rock and Roll,” performed his final concert on June 26, 1977, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. This concert came at the end of a grueling series of performances across the United States. By this time, Elvis was struggling with health issues exacerbated by his demanding schedule and lifestyle.
His performance in Indianapolis, though energetic, showed signs of his declining health. Less than two months later, on August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley passed away at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, marking the end of an era in rock and roll history.
1996 – Irish crime reporter Veronica Guerin is shot dead
Two years after surviving a previous attack, Irish crime reporter Veronica Guerin was fatally shot in her car on June 26, 1996, while stopped at a traffic light on the outskirts of Dublin. The assassination was carried out by a criminal gang in retaliation for her relentless investigation into their activities.
Guerin’s death profoundly impacted Irish society and journalism worldwide, underscoring the risks journalists face in exposing the underworld. Her legacy includes heightened protections for journalists and a more vigilant public stance against organized crime in Ireland.
2015 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the United States
On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court delivered a historic decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, ruling that the Constitution guarantees a right to same-sex marriage, effectively legalizing it across all 50 states.
This landmark decision marked a major victory for the LGBTQ+ community and was the culmination of decades of activism and litigation. It ensured that same-sex couples were entitled to the same legal rights and recognition as heterosexual couples, fostering greater equality and acceptance in American society.