On This Day: 26 January

26 January in Indian history

• 2021Protesters and farmers storm the Red Fort near Delhi, clashing with police. One protester is killed and more than 80 police officers are injured.India
• 2001An earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed at least 20,000 people, injured 167,000 others and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes.India
• 1950Indian independence movement: India became a republic under a new constitution, with Rajendra Prasad as president and Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister.India
• 1930The Indian National Congress declares 26 January as Independence Day or as the day for Poorna Swaraj ("Complete Independence") which occurred 17 years later.India

26 January in world history

• 2020A Sikorsky S-76B flying from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport crashes in Calabasas, 30 miles west of Los Angeles, killing all nine people on board, including five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant.
• 2015Syrian civil war: The People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptures the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), marking a turning point in the Siege of Kobanî.
• 2001Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, is killed in a dog attack in San Francisco. The resulting court case clarified the meaning of implied malice murder.
• 1998Lewinsky scandal: On American television, U.S. President Bill Clinton denies having had "sexual relations" with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
• 1991Somali Rebellion: Factions led by the warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid and his rebel group, the United Somali Congress, ousted President Siad Barre.
• 1949The Hale Telescope at Palomar Observatory in California, the largest aperture optical telescope in the world for 28 years, saw first light.
• 1945Audie Murphy engaged in action at the Colmar Pocket that won him a Medal of Honor and made him one of the most famous and decorated U.S. soldiers of World War II.
• 1939Spanish Civil War: Catalonia Offensive: Troops loyal to nationalist General Francisco Franco and aided by Italy take Barcelona.
• 1926Oliver Hutchinson appeared on television in inventor John Logie Baird's first successful demonstration of using the technology to show humans.
• 1918Finnish Civil War: A group of Red Guards hangs a red lantern atop the tower of Helsinki Workers' Hall to symbolically mark the start of the war.
• 1905The 3,106-carat (621 g) Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, was discovered at the Premier Mine in Gauteng, South Africa.
• 1885Mahdist War: The siege of Khartoum ended as Mahdist forces defeated the Egyptian garrison and captured the city.
• 1837Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state.
• 1788The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day.

Born on 26 January

• 1994Montrezl Harrell, American basketball player
• 1993Alice Powell, British racing driver
• 1962Oscar Ruggeri, Argentine footballer and manager
• 1953Lucinda Williams, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
• 1948Alda Facio, Costa Rican jurist, writer and teacher
• 1926Joseph Bacon Fraser Jr., American architect and businessman, co-founded the Sea Pines Company (died 2014)

Died on 26 January

• 2020Gianna Bryant, American student-athlete (born 2006)
• 2014Tom Gola, American basketball player, coach, and politician (born 1933)
• 2013Padma Kant Shukla, Indian physicist and academic (born 1950)India
• 1887Anandi Gopal Joshi, one of the first female Indian physicians (born 1865)India

Frequently asked questions

What happened on 26 January in history?

2021: Protesters and farmers storm the Red Fort near Delhi, clashing with police. One protester is killed and more than 80 police officers are injured. 2020: A Sikorsky S-76B flying from John Wayne Airport to Camarillo Airport crashes in Calabasas, 30 miles west of Los Angeles, killing all nine people on board, including five-time NBA champion Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna Bryant. 2015: Syrian civil war: The People's Protection Units (YPG) recaptures the city of Kobanî from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), marking a turning point in the Siege of Kobanî. 2001: An earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed at least 20,000 people, injured 167,000 others and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes.

What happened on 26 January in Indian history?

2021: Protesters and farmers storm the Red Fort near Delhi, clashing with police. One protester is killed and more than 80 police officers are injured. 2001: An earthquake in the Indian state of Gujarat killed at least 20,000 people, injured 167,000 others and destroyed nearly 400,000 homes. 1950: Indian independence movement: India became a republic under a new constitution, with Rajendra Prasad as president and Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister.

Which famous people were born on 26 January?

Montrezl Harrell, American basketball player (1994); Alice Powell, British racing driver (1993); Oscar Ruggeri, Argentine footballer and manager (1962); Lucinda Williams, American singer-songwriter and guitarist (1953).

Which day is observed on 26 January?

Republic Day; Republic Day (India); Australia Day (Australia).