January 12
January 12
Original “Amos ‘n’ Andy” debuts on Chicago radio
On January 12, 1926, the two‑man comedy series “Sam ‘n’ Henry” debuts on Chicago’s WGN radio station. Two years later, after changing its name to “Amos ‘n’ Andy,” the show…
A Year In History: 1926
This Year in History:
1926
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 26
January 26
John Logie Baird demonstrates TV
On January 26, 1926, John Logie Baird, a Scottish inventor, gives the first public demonstration of a true television system in London, launching a revolution in communication and entertainment. Baird’s…
March 16
March 16
First liquid‑fueled rocket takes flight
On March 16, 1926, American Robert H. Goddard successfully launches the world’s first liquid‑fueled rocket at Auburn, Massachusetts, the first man to give hope to dreams of space travel. The…
May 1
May 1
Ford factory workers get 40‑hour week
On May 1, 1926, Ford Motor Company becomes one of the first companies in America to adopt a five‑day, 40‑hour week for workers in its automotive factories. The policy would…
May 9
May 9
Explorer Richard Byrd claims to have flown over the North Pole
According to their claims, polar explorer Richard E. Byrd and co‑pilot Floyd Bennett fly over the North Pole on May 9, 1926, in the Josephine Ford, a triple‑engine Fokker monoplane.…
May 18
May 18
Popular evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson disappears
Aimee Semple McPherson, a nationally known evangelist, disappears from Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California. Police dispatched planes and ships in an effort to find her, but she was nowhere…
June 1
June 1
Marilyn Monroe born
Norma Jeane Mortenson—who will become better known around the world as the glamorous actress and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe—is born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. She was…
August 6
August 6
Gertrude Ederle becomes first woman to swim English Channel
On August 6, 1926, on her second attempt, 20‑year‑old Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim the 21 miles from Dover, England, to Cape Griz‑Nez across the English Channel,…
August 13
August 13
Fidel Castro born
Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro is born in the Oriente province of eastern Cuba. He would go on to become a dictator for half of a century of the first communist…
August 23
August 23
Star of the silent screen Rudolph Valentino dies
The death of silent‑screen idol Rudolph Valentino at the age of 31 sends his fans into a hysterical state of mass mourning. In his brief film career, the Italian‑born actor…
October 6
October 6
Babe Ruth sets a World Series record
On October 6, 1926, Yankee slugger Babe Ruth hits a record three homers against the St. Louis Cardinals in the fourth game of the World Series. The Yanks won the…
October 31
October 31
Celebrated magician Harry Houdini dies
Harry Houdini, the most celebrated magician and escape artist of the 20th century, dies of peritonitis in a Detroit hospital. Twelve days before, Houdini had been talking to a group…
