Today In History [26th May, 2015]

A chronological timetable of historical events that occurred on this day in history. Historical facts of the day in the areas of military, politics, science, music, sports, arts, entertainment and more. Discover what happened today in history.

Today in History
May 26
17           Germanicus of Rome celebrates his victory over the Germans.
1328           William of Ockham forced to flee from Avignon by Pope John XXII.
1647           A new law bans Catholic priests from the colony of Massachusetts. The penalty is banishment or death for a second offense.
1670           Charles II and Louis XIV sign a secret treaty in Dover, England, ending hostilities between England and France.
1691           Jacob Leiser, leader of the popular uprising in support of William and Mary's succession to the throne, is executed for treason.
1736           British and Chickasaw forces defeat the French at the Battle of Ackia.
1831           The Russians defeat the Poles at the Battle of Ostrolenska.
1835           A resolution is passed in the U.S. Congress stating that Congress has no authority over state slavery laws.
1864           The territory of Montana is organized.
1865           The last Confederate army surrenders in Shreveport, Louisiana.
1868           President Andrew Johnson is aquitted of all charges of impeachment.
1896           The last czar of Russia, Nicholas II, is crowned.
1938           The House Committee on Un-American Activities begins its work of searching for subversives in the United States.
1940           The evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk begins.
1946           A patent is filed in the United States for the H-bomb.
1958           Union Square, San Francisco, becomes a state historical landmark.
1961           The civil rights activist group, Freedom Ride Coordinating Committee, is established in Atlanta.
1961           A U.S. Air Force bomber flies across the Atlantic in a record of just over three hours.
1969           Apollo 10 returns to Earth.
1977           The movie Star Wars debuts.

Born on May 26
1667           Abraham De Moivre, mathematician.
1835           Edward Porter Alexander, artillery general during the American Civil War.
1883           Mamie Smith, blues singer.
1886           Al Jolson, jazz singer and film actor.
1895           Dorothea Lange, documentary photographer.
1903           Estes Kefauver, Tennessee senator.
1907           John Wayne [Marion Michael Morrison], American actor and film icon.
1919           Jay Silverheels, actor (The Lone Ranger).
1920           Peggy Lee, jazz singer.
1923           James Arness, actor (Gunsmoke).
1951           Sally Ride, astronaut, the first American woman in space.