December 26 in history
Events on December 26
Notable events that happened on December 26 in past years.
- 2025
Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
Wikipedia article: Israel - 2012
China opens the world's longest high-speed rail route, which links Beijing and Guangzhou.
Wikipedia article: High-speed rail in China - 2004
Orange Revolution: The final run-off election in Ukraine is held under heavy international scrutiny.
Wikipedia article: Orange Revolution - 1994
Four Armed Islamic Group hijackers seize control of Air France Flight 8969. When the plane lands at Marseille, a French Gendarmerie assault team boards the aircraft and kills the hijackers.
Wikipedia article: Armed Islamic Group of Algeria - 1980
Witnesses report the first of several sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom, an incident called "Britain's Roswell".
Wikipedia article: Rendlesham Forest incident - 1972
Vietnam War: As part of Operation Linebacker II, 120 American B-52 Stratofortress bombers attacked Hanoi, including 78 launched from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the largest single combat launch in Strategic Air Command history.
Wikipedia article: Vietnam War - 1963
The Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There" are released in the United States, marking the beginning of Beatlemania on an international level.
Wikipedia article: The Beatles - 1943
World War II: German warship Scharnhorst is sunk off Norway's North Cape after a battle against major Royal Navy forces.
Wikipedia article: World War II - 1926
World premiere of Sibelius's tone poem Tapiola.
Wikipedia article: Jean Sibelius - 1862
American Civil War: The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou begins as Union General William T. Sherman starts landing his troops in an attempt to advance on Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Wikipedia article: Battle of Chickasaw Bayou - 1860
First Rules derby is held between Sheffield F.C. and Hallam F.C., the oldest football fixture in the world.
Wikipedia article: Rules derby - 1806
Battles of Pultusk and Golymin: Russian forces hold French forces under Napoleon.
Wikipedia article: Battle of Pułtusk (1806) - 1790
Louis XVI of France gives his public assent to Civil Constitution of the Clergy during the French Revolution.
Wikipedia article: Louis XVI - 1709
The opera Agrippina by George Frideric Handel premiered in Venice.
- 795
Election of Pope Leo III.
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0