January 26: What Happened on This Day in History
January 26th marks the 26th day of the Gregorian calendar year. There are 339 days (340 in case of leap years) remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on January 26th in history, famous birthdays on January 26th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to January 26.
What happened on January 26?
Here's what happened on January 26th in history:
- 2022: The U.S. consulate in Wuhan, China, initiated an emergency evacuation of its personnel and select private citizens via a chartered flight during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic. At this point, five coronavirus cases had been confirmed in the United States, with infections reported in California and Arizona, all linked to travel from the Wuhan region.
- 2019: An explosive device detonated outside a movie theatre in Nairobi's busy capital, resulting in two people being injured. This incident occurred in an area that had previously experienced an attack earlier in the month.
- 2007: During the ongoing War in Somalia, attackers fired four mortar shells at an Ethiopian military camp near Mogadishu, escalating tensions in the region.
- 2005: Condoleezza Rice was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State after being confirmed by the United States Senate with an 85-13 vote, marking a historic milestone as the first African American woman to hold this prestigious diplomatic position.
- 2003: Hugh Trevor-Roper, Baron Dacre of Glanton, a distinguished English historian known for his scholarly works and critical analysis of historical events, passed away. Trevor-Roper was a renowned academic who made significant contributions to historical research and writing during the 20th century.
- 2001: A devastating magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the Gujarat region of India, causing massive destruction across the Bhuj-Ahmadabad-Rajkot area. The catastrophic event resulted in at least 20,085 fatalities, 166,836 injuries, and widespread infrastructure damage, with approximately 339,000 buildings destroyed and 783,000 buildings damaged. The earthquake's impact was felt across northern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and western Nepal, making it one of the most significant seismic events in the region's recent history.
- 1996: The renowned musical Les Misérables premiered at the Musichall Theatre in Duisburg, Germany, bringing Victor Hugo's classic story of redemption and social justice to the stage.
- 1979: The Vredenburg Music Center, a significant cultural venue, was inaugurated in Utrecht, Netherlands, marking an important moment for the city's musical and artistic landscape.
- 1974: Bülent Ecevit of the Republican People's Party (CHP) forms the 37th government of Turkey, establishing a coalition partnership with the National Salvation Party (MSP).
- 1973: Belgium government of Leburton forms.
What famous birthdays are on January 26?
On January 26th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Wayne Gretzky]()
Wayne Gretzky (1961)Canadian-American hockey legend known as 'The Great One', who revolutionized professional hockey with his exceptional skills and played for...
![Louis Zamperini]()
Louis Zamperini (1917)Louis Zamperini was an extraordinary American athlete and World War II hero, known for his incredible survival story as a prisoner of war...
![Ellen DeGeneres]()
Ellen DeGeneres (1958)Ellen DeGeneres is a renowned comedian, television host, and LGBTQ+ rights advocate who hosted the immensely popular 'The Ellen DeGeneres...
![Anita Baker]()
Anita Baker (1958)Anita Baker is a Grammy Award-winning R&B singer known for her smooth, soulful voice and hit songs like 'Sweet Love' and 'Giving You the...
![Patrick Dewaere]()
Patrick Dewaere (1947)Prominent French actor of the 1970s who became famous for his roles in groundbreaking films like 'Going Places' alongside Gerard Depardieu.
![Soad Hosny]()
Soad Hosny (1942)Iconic Egyptian actress and singer known for her significant contributions to Arabic cinema during the 1960s and 1970s, often referred to as...
![Roger Vadim]()
Roger Vadim (1928)Renowned French film director, writer, and producer who significantly influenced French cinema.
![Scott Glenn]()
Scott Glenn (1941)Scott Glenn is a renowned American actor with a distinguished career spanning several decades, known for memorable roles in critically...
![Melvil Poupaud]()
Melvil Poupaud (1973)Versatile French artist known for his multifaceted career in film as an actor, screenwriter, cinematographer, and musician who has released...
![Gilles Marini]()
Gilles Marini (1976)Gilles Marini is a prominent French-American actor known for his notable roles in television series like 'Brothers & Sisters' and 'Switched...
How to check someone's birthday?
If you’re looking for a person's birth date, have a look at our Birthday Search Guide
Who died on January 26?
On January 26th the following celebrities died:
![James Cameron]()
James Cameron (1985)James Cameron is a renowned Canadian film director and screenwriter, famous for groundbreaking blockbuster films like Titanic and Avatar...
![José Ferrer]()
José Ferrer (1992)Renowned Puerto Rican-American actor and director, best known for his Oscar-winning performance in 'Cyrano de Bergerac'.
![Abe Vigoda]()
Abe Vigoda (2016)Iconic American character actor best known for his memorable roles in 'The Godfather' as Salvatore Tessio and in the TV sitcom 'Barney...
![Mike Connors]()
Mike Connors (2017)Mike Connors was an American actor best known for starring in the popular TV series 'Mannix'.
![Barbara Hale]()
Barbara Hale (2017)Barbara Hale was an acclaimed American actress best known for her iconic role as Della Street in the long-running television series Perry...
- Kobe Bryant (2020)
Kobe Bryant was a legendary NBA basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers, winning five championships and becoming one of the most iconic...
- Bear Bryant (1983)
Paul 'Bear' Bryant was a legendary American college football coach who led the University of Alabama Crimson Tide to six national...
- Al McGuire (2001)
Renowned basketball coach and player who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
- William Wrigley (1932)
Prominent American businessman who founded the Wrigley Company, a global chewing gum and confectionery manufacturer.
What day of the year is January 26?
January 26th marks the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar.
There are 339 days remaining until the end of the year (or 340 days in case of leap years).
January 26th is the 26th day of the month of January.
What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 26?
The zodiac sign associated with January 26th is Aquarius according to the Western Zodiac.
