May 26: What Happened on This Day in History
May 26th marks the 146th day of the Gregorian calendar year (or the 147th in case of leap years). There are 219 days remaining until the end of the year.
Discover what happened on May 26th in history, famous birthdays on May 26th, celebrities died on this day, the day of the week and the zodiac sign associated to May 26.
What happened on May 26?
Here's what happened on May 26th in history:
- 2017: On May 26, 2017, a tragic terrorist attack occurred in Minya Governorate, Egypt, where gunmen opened fire on buses carrying Coptic Christians. The assault resulted in at least 28 fatalities and dozens of injuries. In response, the Egyptian Air Force conducted retaliatory strikes against militant camps in eastern Libya.
- 2016: During the Iraqi Civil War, Iraqi security forces and Shiite Popular Mobilization Forces successfully captured Al-Karmah, a strategic location approximately 16 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of Fallujah.
- 2012: The Parliament of Afghanistan approves a strategic partnership agreement with the United States, ensuring continued US military presence in Afghanistan through 2014.
- 2009: President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, a federal judge, to serve as a Justice on the United States Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in judicial and political history.
- 2005: Elections in Suriname. Preliminary results show that Suriname's ruling alliance survived a challenge by former dictator Desi Bouterse, a former Dutch colony.
- 1992: Comedic musician Weird Al Yankovic commenced his 'Off The Deep End' concert tour, continuing his legendary career of musical parodies and satirical performances that have made him a unique figure in popular music.
- 1989: Radio broadcasters across the United States observed a 30-second moment of silence at 7:42 AM, symbolically paying tribute to the radio industry's historical and cultural significance.
- 1980: Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first National League player to record six one-hitters, demonstrating exceptional skill and consistency in baseball pitching.
- 1979: The USS Nautilus, a groundbreaking nuclear-powered submarine that revolutionized naval warfare and maritime technology, officially ended its remarkable 25-year service by arriving at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard. As the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine, the Nautilus represented a significant milestone in military engineering and Cold War-era technological innovation.
- 1974: During a David Cassidy concert in London, a tragic incident occurs where a 14-year-old fan is trampled, highlighting the potential dangers of large, enthusiastic crowds at music events.
What famous birthdays are on May 26?
On May 26th there are the following famous birthdays:
![Lauryn Hill]()
Lauryn Hill (1975)Lauryn Hill is a groundbreaking R&B and hip-hop artist, known for her critically acclaimed album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' and her...
![Levon Helm]()
Levon Helm (1940)Legendary drummer and founding member of The Band, a pioneering rock group known for their influential Americana and roots music.
![James Arness]()
James Arness (1923)Iconic American actor best known for playing Marshal Matt Dillon in the legendary western television series 'Gunsmoke', which ran for 20...
![Helena Bonham Carter]()
Helena Bonham Carter (1966)Helena Bonham Carter is a renowned English actress known for her distinctive and eccentric roles in critically acclaimed films like 'Fight...
![Peggy Lee]()
Peggy Lee (1920)Legendary jazz and pop singer known for her distinctive voice and versatile career spanning music, film, and television.
![Peter Cushing]()
Peter Cushing (1913)Iconic British actor known for memorable roles in horror films like Dracula and science fiction classics such as Star Wars, where he...
![George Formby]()
George Formby (1904)Renowned English comedian, singer, and actor famous for his ukulele performances and comedic films during the early to mid-20th century.
![Pam Grier]()
Pam Grier (1949)Pam Grier is an iconic African American actress who revolutionized female representation in 1970s blaxploitation cinema, becoming a powerful...
![Jay Silverheels]()
Jay Silverheels (1912)Native American actor best known for playing Tonto alongside Clayton Moore in the iconic 'The Lone Ranger' television series from 1949 to...
![John Hamburg]()
John Hamburg (1970)American filmmaker known for comedy films like 'Meet the Parents' and 'Zoolander', who has worked as a screenwriter, director, and actor in...
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 May 26?
On May 26th the following celebrities died:
![Ray Liotta]()
Ray Liotta (2022)Iconic American actor known for his powerful performances in crime films like 'Goodfellas' and 'Field of Dreams'.
![Art Linkletter]()
Art Linkletter (2010)Art Linkletter was a legendary Canadian-American radio and television host known for his popular shows 'People Are Funny', 'House Party',...
![Eddie Albert]()
Eddie Albert (2005)Eddie Albert was a renowned American actor and performer, best known for his starring role in the popular sitcom Green Acres and as a...
![Jean Constantin]()
Jean Constantin (2010)Influential French singer-songwriter who composed over 300 songs and was a significant figure in mid-20th century French music, with his...
![George Brent]()
![Sharon Lynn]()
- Cybele (1978)
Ancient Phrygian and Greek goddess symbolizing nature, fertility, and maternal power, widely worshipped in the Mediterranean region during...
- Bart Starr (2019)
Legendary quarterback for the Green Bay Packers who led the team to five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls.
- Prem Tinsulanonda (2019)
Prominent Thai statesman who served as the 16th Prime Minister of Thailand from 1980 to 1988.
- Samuel Pepys (1703)
Samuel Pepys was an English naval administrator and Member of Parliament who is most famous for the detailed diary he kept for a decade,...
What day of the year is May 26?
May 26th marks the 146th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (or the 147th in case of leap years).
There are 219 days remaining until the end of the year.
May 26th is the 26th day of the month of May.
What day of the week is May 26?
On May 26th, 2025 the day of the week is Monday.
| May | 2025 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | |
What zodiac sign is associated with the day May 26?
The zodiac sign associated with May 26th is Gemini according to the Western Zodiac.
