AUGUST 26 | Birthdays and Events
Famous Birthdays
People born on August 26
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha
Died: December 14, 1861 (age 42 years)
Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha was the husband and Prince Consort of Queen Victoria.
Margaret Utinsky
Died: August 30, 1970 (age 70 years)
Nurse and recipient of the Medal of Freedom (1946) for her work to provide medicine, food, and other items to aid Allied POWs in the Philippines during World War II.
Brant Parker
Died: April 15, 2007 (age 86 years)
Co-creator of The Wizard of Id comic strip.
Naomi Parker Fraley
Died: January 20, 2018 (age 96 years)
WWII assembly line worker who is said to have inspired the Rosie the Riveter poster.
Jay Pritzker
Died: January 23, 1999 (age 76 years)
Co-founder of Hyatt Hotels.
Robert Vickrey
Died: April 17, 2011 (age 84 years)
Painter who specialized in the ancient medium of egg tempera, which is the use of pigments, water and egg to create paintings.
Valerie Simpson
Singer-songwriter and half of the musical duo Ashford and Simpson.
Melissa McCarthy
Contemporary actress and comedian with starring credits in Mike & Molly, Bridesmaids, Tammy, and Identity Thief.
Thalía
Mexican-American singer-songwriter and actress who is often referred to as the "Queen of Latin Pop."
Macaulay Culkin
Child star actor best known for his role as Kevin in Home Alone, Home Alone 2, and My Girl.
Historical Events on August 26
Events that occurred on August 26 throughout history
John Fitch is granted a patent for the steamboat.
John Fitch is granted a patent for the steamboat.
Charles Thurber patents his version of a typewriter.
Charles Thurber patents his version of a typewriter. His "writing machine" was considered one of the first practical precursors to the modern typewriter.
Susan Blow starts the first free kindergarten in the U.S.
Susan Blow starts the first free kindergarten in the U.S., introducing the educational theories of German educator Friedrich Froebel to the American public school system.
Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater in 57 seconds.
Harry Houdini escapes from chains underwater in 57 seconds. Handcuffs were locked behind his back with a heavy ball and chain connected to his feet weighing over 75 pounds.
The 19th Amendment is certified.
The 19th Amendment is certified, giving women the right to vote.
The first MLB game is broadcast on television station W2XBS.
The first MLB game is broadcast on television station W2XBS. The Cincinnati Reds won the first game 5–2, and the Brooklyn Dodgers won the second game 6–1 of the doubleheader.
A 10-year-old girl becomes the first woman to win the 6.8-mile Dipsea Race.
The 10-year-old Mary Boitano becomes the first woman to win the 6.8-mile Dipsea Race held in Marin County, California.
Earth Alliance donates $5 million to fighting fires in the Amazon.
The environmental organization Earth Alliance donates $5 million to fighting fires in the Amazon rainforest. An estimated 72,843 fires had taken place in Brazil in 2019.
