December 26: Facts & Historical Events On This Day

December 26^th is Thank You Note Day and Candy Cane Day.

The countdown to the new year begins! We’re now only 5 days away!

Take some time today to celebrate this day by spending a few moments learning about some important events that happened December 26^th in history.

Did you know that on this day in 1996, the largest strike in South Korean history began? Workers from the automotive and shipbuilding industries were protesting a law that made it easier to fire them.

Keep reading for more interesting facts about December 26^th in history!

What Events Happened On December 26 In History?

2004 A devastating tsunami and earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean.

The earthquake was a 9.3 magnitude which caused a tsunami that hit Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Maldives. The destruction killed 230,000 people.

1996 JonBenét Ramsey was found dead.

This six-year-old beauty queen was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's home in Boulder, Colorado. The crime remains to be unsolved, and the case remained open.

1996 The largest strike in South Korean history began.

It consisted of auto and shipbuilding employees protesting against an unfair labor law.

1991 Jack Ruby’s gun, which was used to kill Lee Harvey Oswald, sold for $220,000 in an auction.

1986 Mark Messier was suspended for ten games for starting a fight with Jamie Macoun and breaking his cheekbone.

1982 After taking the world of technology by storm, the PC was named TIME’s Man of the Year.

1973 The horror film “The Exorcist,” based on book and screenplay by William Peter Blatty, premiered.

OTD in 1973: The horror film "The Exorcist

It was the first horror film to be nominated for Best Picture.

1966 Jimi Hendrix wrote “Purple Haze” backstage at the Upper Cut Club, London.

1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the US.

1924 Judy Garland made her show business debut.

At just 2 ½ years old, Judy Garland made her debut singing "Jingle Bells" with her elder sisters on the stage of her father's movie theater.

1908 Jack Johnson became the first African American to win the world heavyweight boxing title.

It was challenging for Johnson to even fight the suitable matches in a racially divided world to reach this level. After goading Tommy Burns, the champion at the time, for two years, a match was finally set up in Sydney, Australia. After fourteen rounds, Johnson came away victorious.

1898 Marie and Pierre Curie announced their discovery of radium.

1865 James H Mason patented the first US coffee percolator.

December 25 Dec 25 December 27 Dec 27

Famous People Born On December 26

Is today is your birthday? If so, you share the same birthday with Jared Leto. Here are a few other famous people born on this day.

1990 Andy Biersack

American Rock Singer

Age:: 31 years old
Born In:: Ohio, USA

1992 Jade Thirlwall

English Pop Singer

Age:: 29 years old
Born In:: England, UK

1971 Jared Leto

American Actor

Age:: 50 years old
Born In:: Louisiana, USA

1986 Kit Harington

English Actor

Age:: 35 years old
Born In:: England, UK

Special Holidays On December 26

If you’ve got a few minutes spare today, why not celebrate these special holidays.

National Thank You Note Day

National Candy Cane Day

December 26 Birthday Facts, Zodiac & Birthstone

For those of you who were born on this day, your star sign is Capricorn.

Capricorn is the last earth sign of the zodiac. It’s represented by the sea goat – a mythological creature with the body of a goat and the tail of a fish.

Anybody born during December has the Blue Topaz birthstone. This icy-looking gemstone offers prosperity and fortune to the wearer while also protecting them from harm.

If you were lucky enough to be born on this day, you were likely conceived around April 4, the same year.