January 26: What Happened on This Day in History

26January

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.

history

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.
Discover all events on January 26 in history
birthday

What famous birthdays are on January 26?

On January 26th there are the following famous birthdays:


  • Ellen DeGeneres
    Ellen DeGeneres (1958)

    Ellen DeGeneres is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and producer best known for hosting 'The Ellen DeGeneres Show'...[Bio]

  • Eddie Van Halen
    Eddie Van Halen (1955)

    Eddie Van Halen was a legendary Dutch-American guitarist, songwriter, and producer, best known as the lead guitarist and co-founder of the...[Bio]

  • 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...

  • Roger Vadim
    Roger Vadim (1928)

    Renowned French film director, writer, and producer who significantly influenced French cinema.

  • 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.

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • Louis Zamperini
    Louis Zamperini (1917)

    Louis Zamperini was an American Olympic distance runner, World War II veteran, and a US Air Force lieutenant whose incredible story of...[Bio]

  • 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...

  • Derek Bond
    Derek Bond (1920)

    British actor and author who was active on the London stage and in films from 1936 to 1946.

  • More celebrities born on January 26

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RIP

Who died on January 26?

On January 26th the following celebrities died:


  • Kobe Bryant
    Kobe Bryant (2020)

    Kobe Bryant was an American professional basketball player who spent his entire 20-year NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers.[Bio]

  • James Cameron
    James Cameron (1985)

    James Cameron is a Canadian filmmaker, director, screenwriter, and producer, widely regarded for his innovative work in science fiction and...[Bio]

  • Bear Bryant
    Bear Bryant (1983)

    Paul 'Bear' Bryant was a legendary American college football coach, best known for his tenure at the University of Alabama, where he led the...[Bio]

  • 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...

  • Al McGuire
    Al McGuire (2001)

    Renowned basketball coach and player who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

  • William Wrigley
    William Wrigley (1932)

    Prominent American businessman who founded the Wrigley Company, a global chewing gum and confectionery manufacturer.

  • José Emilio Pacheco
    José Emilio Pacheco (2014)

    Renowned Mexican poet, novelist, and essayist who was a significant figure in Latin American literature, known for his critical and poetic...

  • More famous people died on January 26

calendar

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 day of the week is January 26?

On January 26th, 2025 the day of the week is Sunday.

Holidays and Observances on January 26

zodiac

What zodiac sign is associated with the day January 26?