2026

Birthdays & Historical Events – September 26

← National Days on September 26

Birthdays & Historical Events – September 26

Historical Events on September 26

Events that occurred on September 26 throughout history

1777

British troops capture and begin the occupation of Philadelphia.

British troops capture and begin the occupation of Philadelphia, the American capital city during that time.

1789

The first Attorney General in America is appointed.

Edmund Randolph is appointed the first Attorney General in America.

1789

The first Secretary of State in America is appointed.

Thomas Jefferson is appointed the first Secretary of State in America.

1890

Congress establishes Sequoia National Park.

Congress establishes Sequoia National Park. It was the second national park created and the first specifically to protect the giant sequoia from being logged.

1890

The U.S. Mint stops printing three coins.

The U.S. Mint stops printing the $1 and $3 gold coins, and the 3 cent piece.

1905

Albert Einstein introduces the special theory of relativity in his new publication.

Albert Einstein publishes the third of his Annus Mirabilis papers, introducing the special theory of relativity. The theory showed that time and distance change depending on the observer's relative speed and disregarded the old concept of absolute time and space.

1914

Congress passes the Federal Trade Commission Act.

Congress passes the Federal Trade Commission Act. The Act created the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consumers and regulate competition.

1933

Gangster Machine Gun Kelly creates the term "G-Men."

Gangster Machine Gun Kelly creates the term "G-Men" while surrendering to the FBI.

1944

SS official August Frank issues a memo detailing how Jews should be "evacuated".

Senior SS official August Frank issues a memorandum detailing how Jews should be "evacuated." The memo also detailed the handing of property confiscated from Jews during their deportation.

1953

Sugar rationing ends in the U.K.

Rationing of sugar in the United Kingdom ends. Sugar rationing began in 1942, during WWII. Sugar was a prime component used to make explosives and fuels, resulting in the government regulating the distribution to assist the war effort.

1960

The first Presidential debate is televised.

The first Presidential debate is televised in Chicago between candidates Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy.

1964

Gilligan's Island makes it debut on CBS.

Gilligan's Island makes it debut on CBS. The sitcom ran 98 episodes across 3 seasons between 1964 and 1967.

1969

The Brady Bunch debuts on ABC.

The Brady Bunch debuts on ABC. The sitcom ran 117 episodes between 1969 and 1974.

1982

Knight Rider debuts on NBC.

Knight Rider debuts on NBC. The night-time show ran four seasons and aired 90 episodes between 1982 and 1986.

2017

Fortnite: Battle Royale is released and becomes the most popular game worldwide.

The video game Fortnite: Battle Royale is released and quickly becomes the most popular game worldwide.

Born on September 26

People born on September 26

1774
J"

John "Johnny Appleseed" Chapman

1774–1845 · would be 252

Gardener and pioneer nurseryman who introduced trees grown with apple seeds.

1876
EA

Edith Abbott

1876–1957 · would be 150

A pioneer in the profession of social work who was in charge of implementing social work studies into the graduate level.

1888
TS

T. S. Eliot

1888–1965 · would be 138

Considered one of the greatest poets of all time. He was awarded the 1948 Nobel Prize in Literature for his pioneering contributions to present-day poetry.

1909
BF

Bill France, Sr.

1909–1992 · would be 117

Race car driver and founder of NASCAR.

1914
JL

Jack LaLanne

1914–2011 · would be 112

Self-described teen "junk food junkie" who turned fitness expert, nutrition guru, and motivational speaker as an adult.

1918
EM

Eric Morley

1918–2000 · would be 108

English businessman and television host who founded the Miss World international beauty pageant.

1927
RC

Robert Cade

1927–2007 · would be 99

Co-inventor of Gatorade.

1932
DD

Donna Douglas

1932–2015 · would be 94

Actress fondly remembered for her role as Elly May Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies.

1947
LA

Lynn Anderson

1947–2015 · would be 79

Singer of the international number one hit Rose Garden.

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