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What happened on April 26th?
A catastrophic nuclear blast in Ukraine changed Europe forever
Matthew Jones
April 26, 2025
1986 Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Shakes the World
On April 26, 1986, Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant exploded during a late-night safety test, triggering the worst nuclear accident in history. The explosion released massive amounts of radiation, contaminating large parts of Europe and forcing the evacuation of over 100,000 people. The Soviet government attempted to cover up the scale of the disaster, but the incident exposed critical flaws in reactor design and crisis management. The long-term effects included severe health consequences, environmental devastation, and stricter global nuclear safety regulations.
The photo shows the protected Chernobyl Reactor 4, where the disaster occurred.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on April 26:
2018 — A Pennsylvania jury found American comedian and actor Bill Cosby guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, considered a major moment in the #MeToo movement.
1937 — German and Italian warplanes bombed the Basque town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, killing hundreds and inspiring Pablo Picasso’s Guernica.
1933 — Hermann Göring established the Gestapo in Nazi Germany, creating a secret police force that played a key role in state repression and persecution.
1865 — Union soldiers tracked down and killed John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, at a Virginia farm after a twelve-day manhunt.
1607 — English settlers landed at Cape Henry in present-day Virginia, beginning the establishment of the Jamestown colony.
1478 — The Pazzi family launched a failed attempt to overthrow the powerful Medici rulers of Florence, resulting in brutal reprisals and executions.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On April 26, we’re singing to:
Marcus Aurelius (121) — Roman emperor and philosopher known for his work Meditations and his leadership during the Pax Romana.
Ludwig Wittgenstein (1889) — Austrian-British philosopher influential in the fields of logic, language, and the philosophy of mind.
Rudolf Hess (1894) — German Nazi leader and Adolf Hitler’s deputy, later imprisoned for life after flying solo to Scotland in an attempt to negotiate peace during World War II.
Melania Trump (1970) — Slovenian-American model and First Lady of the United States, known for her “Be Best” initiative.
Channing Tatum (1980) — American actor and producer best known for his roles in Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, and Step Up.
🪦Who Died Today?
On April 26, we’re saying goodbye to:
Srinivasa Ramanujan (1920) — Indian mathematician whose groundbreaking work in number theory and continued fractions revolutionized modern mathematics.
Lucille Ball (1989) — American actress and comedian beloved for her role in I Love Lucy, one of the most influential sitcoms in television history.
George Jones (2013) — Country music legend known for his emotive voice and hits like “He Stopped Loving Her Today” and for shaping the genre for generations.
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