Discover what happened on June 26 in history, featuring major milestones in technology, literature, transportation, entertainment, and landmark Supreme Court decisions that helped shape modern society.
What Happened on June 26 in History?
Important events on this day include the first barcode scan in a grocery store, the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the United Nations Charter being signed, and the U.S. Supreme Court recognizing same-sex marriage nationwide.
JUNE 26 – TODAY IN HISTORY:
1804 – The Lewis and Clark Expedition reached the mouth of the Kansas River after completing a westward trek of nearly 400 river miles.
1819 – The bicycle was patented by W.K. Clarkson, Jr.
1844 – John Tyler took Julia Gardiner as his bride, thus becoming the first President to marry while in office.
1870 – The first section of the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ, was opened to the public.
1894 – The American Railway Union called a general strike in sympathy with Pullman workers.
1900 – A commission that included Dr. Walter Reed began the fight against the deadly disease yellow fever.
1927 – The Coney Island “Cyclone” roller coaster opened in New York, NY.
1934 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Federal Credit Union Act, which established credit unions.
1936 – The Focke-Wulf Fw 61 made its first flight. It is often considered the first practical helicopter.
1942 – The Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter was flown for the first time.
1945 – The U.N. Charter was signed by 50 nations in San Francisco, CA.
1959 – President Dwight Eisenhower joined Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II in ceremonies officially opening the St. Lawrence Seaway.
1963 – President John Kennedy announced “Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner) at the Berlin Wall.
1971 – The U.S. Justice Department issued a warrant for Daniel Ellsberg, accusing him of giving away the Pentagon Papers.
1974 – In Troy, OH, a Marsh supermarket installed the first bar code scanning equipment, made by IBM. A Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code was placed on Juicy Fruit gum and a bar code was scanned for the first time. The buyer returned the pack and it is now on display at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
1975 – Sonny and Cher were divorced in Santa Monica, CA. Four days later, she married Gregg Allman.
1976 – In Toronto, Canada, the CN Tower opened to the public. The official opening date was listed as October 1, 1976. At 1,815 foot tall, it was the world’s tallest free-standing structure and the world’s tallest tower until 2010.
1977 – Elvis Presley’s final concert took place at Market Square Arena, in Indianapolis, IN.
1979 – Muhammad Ali, at 37 years old, announced that he was retiring as world heavyweight boxing champion.
1981 – In Mountain Home, ID, a woman named Virginia Campbell used her coupons and rebates to buy $26,460 worth of groceries for just 67 cents.
1985 – Wilbur Snapp was ejected after playing “Three Blind Mice” during a baseball game. The incident followed a call made by umpire Keith O’Connor.
1987 – The movie “Dragnet” opened in the U.S.
1987 – The movie “Full Metal Jacket” premiered in theaters.
1996 – The Supreme Court ordered the Virginia Military Institute to admit women or forgo state support.
1997 – The Supreme Court struck down the Communications Decency Act of 1996 that made it illegal to distribute indecent material on the Internet.
1997 – J.K. Rowlings book, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”, was published in the U.K. The book was later released in the U.S. under the name “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” This was the first book in the Harry Potter series.
1997 – The Supreme Court upheld state laws that allow for a ban on doctor-assisted suicides.
1998 – The Supreme Court ruled that employers are always potentially liable for supervisor’s sexual misconduct toward an employee.
2000 – The Human Genome Project and Celera Genomics Corp. jointly announced that they had created a working draft of the human genome.
2002 – R. Kelly pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of child pornography in Chicago, IL.
2002 – A federal appeals court in San Francisco, CA ruled that the words “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance violate the separation of church and state.
2002 – David Hasseloff checked into The Betty Ford Center for treatment of alcoholism.
2013 – The Supreme Court struck down the federal law defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
2015 – The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, 5–4, that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage under the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
2021 – The largest-ever pile up at the Tour de France was caused by a spectator with a sign during Stage 1. The spectator was found and arrested.
2022 – It was announced that over the weekend earnings for the movie “Top Gun: Maverick” were over a billion dollars
2024 – Julian Assange , founder of WikiLeaks , returned to Australia after pleading guilty to one charge of espionage in a Saipan court and subsequently being released by the United States Department of Justice.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS ON JUNE 26:
Dave Grusin – 92 years old (1934) – Pianist and composer
Reggie Workman – 89 years old (1937) – Bassist and composer
Neil Abercrombie – 88 years old (1938) – Sociologist and politician, 7th Governor of Hawaii
Billy Davis Jr. – 88 years old (1938) – Pop-soul singer
Gerald North – 88 years old (1938) – Climatologist and academic
Chuck Robb – 87 years old (1939) – Soldier, lawyer, and politician, 64th Governor of Virginia
J. J. Dillon – 84 years old (1942) – Wrestler and manager
Warren Farrell – 83 years old (1943) – Author and educator
Issa al-Haadi al-Mahdi (Dwight York) – 81 years old (1945) – Criminal, black supremacist, pedophile, convicted child molester, and musician
Mary Styles Harris – 77 years old (1949) – Biologist and geneticist
Gedde Watanabe – 71 years old (1955) – Actor
Chris Isaak – 70 years old (1956) – Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and actor
Patty Smyth – 69 years old (1957) – Singer-songwriter and musician
Greg LeMond – 65 years old (1961) – Cyclist
Terri Nunn – 65 years old (1961) – Singer-songwriter and actress
Mark McClellan – 63 years old (1963) – Economist and politician
Jürgen Reil – 60 years old (1966) – Drummer
Shannon Sharpe – 58 years old (1968) – Football player
Mike Myers – 57 years old (1969) – Baseball player
Paul Thomas Anderson – 56 years old (1970) – Director, producer, and screenwriter
Sean Hayes – 56 years old (1970) – Actor
Matt Letscher – 56 years old (1970) – Actor and playwright
Chris O'Donnell – 56 years old (1970) – Actor
Nick Offerman – 56 years old (1970) – Actor
Gretchen Wilson – 53 years old (1973) – Singer-songwriter and guitarist
Derek Jeter – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player
Jason Kendall – 52 years old (1974) – Baseball player
Chad Pennington – 50 years old (1976) – Football player and sportscaster
Dave Rubin – 50 years old (1976) – Political commentator
Quincy Lewis – 49 years old (1977) – Basketball player
Ryan Tedder – 47 years old (1979) – Singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer
Jason Schwartzman – 46 years old (1980) – Singer-songwriter, drummer, and actor
Chris Shelton – 46 years old (1980) – Baseball player
Michael Vick – 46 years old (1980) – Football player
J. J. Barea – 42 years old (1984) – Puerto Rican-American basketball player
Elijah Dukes – 42 years old (1984) – Baseball player
Raymond Felton – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player
Aubrey Plaza – 42 years old (1984) – Actress
Deron Williams – 42 years old (1984) – Basketball player
King Bach – 38 years old (1988) – Canadian-American actor, comedian, director, producer, writer and social media personality
Iman Shumpert – 36 years old (1990) – Basketball player
Jennette McCurdy – 34 years old (1992) – Actress and singer-songwriter
Ariana Grande – 33 years old (1993) – Singer-songwriter, dancer, and actress
Ann Li – 26 years old (2000) – Tennis player
Chandler Smith – 24 years old (2002) – Race car driver
Mikey Williams – 22 years old (2004) – Basketball player
DAYS OF THE YEAR FOR JUNE 26:
- National Beauticians Day: Get together with your friends or family and pamper yourselves, while supporting the beauticians whose training and hard work help us look our best.
- World Drug Day: Understanding the dangers and effects of substances is crucial for making informed choices and protecting your health.
- World Refrigeration Day: Don’t take for granted the importance of refrigeration in modern life. Consider what life without it would be, and have some gratitude for the innovators who made it possible.
- National Take Your Dog to Work Day: Take Your Dog to Work instead of leaving them home alone, and reconsider the important bond between man and his best friend, that shouldn’t end on workdays.
- National Canoe Day: Explore and enjoy nature while learning a valuable skill, relaxing, and spending some quality time in the great outdoors. Canoeing is good for the soul.
- National Stitch Day: The mischievous extraterrestrial friend, embodying chaos with a heartwarming twist, and a unique blend of trouble and endearment.
- National Cream Tea Day: Learn how to make scones and clotted cream, and enjoy your very own British tea time. Gather some friends for afternoon tea on National Cream Tea day.
- Cancer Wellness Awareness Day: Going through cancer can leave people feeling overwhelmed, not just from the illness but from everything that comes with it. A diagnosis can rearrange a calendar, a kitchen, a family’s routines, and even a person’s sense of self. Cancer Wellness Awareness Day speaks directly to that weight by widening the...
- Dream Big Day: The sky is the limit when it comes to the dreams that children can have! It is the job of their teachers, parents, and other adults in their lives to help foster their dreams, encourage open minds, and assist them in building the skills they will need to contribute to...
- National Chocolate Pudding Day: Make your own chocolate pudding, or simply indulge in the rich, creamy chocolate treat that has been a favorite of kids and adults alike for generations.
- National Coconut Day: Did you know how versatile the coconut is? This incredible fruit hydrates, nourishes, and even helps build homes. Its water refreshes on a hot day, its meat enhances meals, and its oil finds a place in kitchens and beauty routines alike. Even the husk and leaves become useful, woven into...
- International Day in Support of Victims of Torture: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture is a time to stand with those who have suffered deeply. Behind every statistic is a person—someone who has endured pain no one should face. This day shines a light on their stories, ensuring they are not forgotten. It reminds the world...
- Rabbit Week: Rabbit Week is an engaging event that raises awareness of rabbit well-being and encourages everyone to understand the unique needs of these beloved pets. Celebrating Rabbit Week raises awareness about proper rabbit care, emphasizing that rabbits are more than cute, furry animals. They require specific environments, diets, and medical care...
- National SAFER Workplace Day: National SAFER Workplace Day is a day dedicated to improving safety where we work. It urges everyone, from machine operators to office staff, to focus on risk in their tasks. The SAFER steps—Stop, Assess, Formulate, Execute, Review—help teams spot hazards, build plans, put them into action, and check the results. It...
- Drive Your Corvette to Work Day: Drive Your Corvette to Work Day is a fun event that encourages people with Corvettes to drive them on a workday commute. Corvette enthusiasts pick the Friday nearest to June 30 to turn an ordinary trip into a burst of excitement. Organizers hope to see crowds of these sports cars blazing down...
- National Barcode Day: National Barcode Day celebrates the simple black-and-white lines that transformed how people buy, sell, sort, store, and ship just about everything. Before barcodes became routine, checkout lanes relied on price tags and quick fingers, and inventory counts were often a mix of clipboards, guesswork, and crossed-out corrections. A tiny printed...
- National Food Truck Day: National Food Truck Day is a lively tribute to mobile eateries and the passionate entrepreneurs behind them. It rolls around on the last Friday in June, inviting people to step out and enjoy meals from these wheeled kitchens. Food trucks serve as small business engines, offering everything from tacos to...
- National Play Catch Week: Connecting through a simple toss, a timeless game fosters bonds, laughter, and shared moments of pure joy.
- Bumba Meu Boi: Bumba Meu Boi is a captivating festival that blends theater, dance, and music into a lively celebration of Brazilian folklore. It tells the tale of an ox, central to the narrative, which symbolizes life, death, and rebirth. The story often involves a playful, dramatic performance featuring a farmer, a pregnant...
- Insect Week: Insect Week is an exciting celebration dedicated to the fascinating world of insects. This week-long event features a variety of engaging activities and events designed to highlight the importance of insects in our lives. From art and photography competitions to educational workshops and bug hunts, there’s something for everyone to...
- National Craft Spirits Week: National Craft Spirits Week is a lively celebration of small-batch distillers across the country. Walk into a distillery during National Craft Spirits Week, and the air feels different. There’s the scent of oak, spice, and citrus. Bottles line the walls, each with its own label and story. This week isn’t about...
- National Lightning Safety Awareness Week: National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, celebrated in June, sparks crucial conversations about a powerful natural phenomenon. This week is vital because lightning strikes can be deadly, causing significant injuries and fatalities each year. Despite its potential dangers, lightning often doesn't receive the attention it deserves compared to other weather-related threats. How to...
- English Wine Week: English Wine Week is a vibrant celebration of the burgeoning English wine industry. It's an opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the diversity and quality of wines produced across the country. Vineyards open their doors, offering a range of activities like tours, tastings, and special events. This week is not...
- International Phace Syndrome Awareness Week: PHACE Syndrome Awareness Week brings attention to a rare condition that often starts with a bright red birthmark on a child’s face. This mark can signal deeper medical problems involving the brain, heart, eyes, or arteries. Parents usually notice the birthmark first, but doctors soon find more going on. That moment...
- Windjammer Days: Windjammer Days is a lively celebration where elegant tall ships sail into Boothbay Harbor’s calm waters. The day bursts with energy as colorful vessels glide in and gather off Cabbage Island. Crowds line the shore, cheering and snapping photos as sails unfurl and boats drift under bright skies. That harbor...
- Organic Beer Fest: The Organic Beer Fest is a celebration of brews made from ingredients grown without the use of synthetic chemicals. It brings together craft brewers, musicians, food vendors, and sustainability promoters in a relaxed, friendly park setting. Visitors wander between tents full of organic beer, cider, and mead, tasting styles from crisp...
- National Roller Coaster Week: National Roller Coaster Week highlights the thrill of sharp turns, steep drops, and fast rides. Parks stay packed as people chase that quick burst of fear and fun. Some come for their first ride, others for their hundredth. Either way, they’re there for the same reason—to feel something real for...
Powered by Days Of The Year
For additional information check out websites like: www.on-this-day.com, www.born-today.com, www.famousbirthdays.com, www.daysoftheyear.com, and www.nationaldaycalendar.com.
1 Comment