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What happened on March 26th?
39 lives lost in mysterious California tragedy
Matthew Jones
March 26, 2025
1997 Heaven's Gate Cult Mass Suicide
On March 26th, 1997, the bodies of 39 members of the Heaven's Gate cult were discovered in a mass suicide in California. The group, which believed that UFOs would transport them to a higher existence, had orchestrated the event in an attempt to transcend to an alien spacecraft following the passing of the Hale-Bopp comet.
This photo shows the Heaven's Gate member lying on a bed in Rancho Santa Fe after the 1997 mass suicide.
🗞️Today’s Headlines
Everything important that’s ever happened on March 26:
2005 — Doctor Who, the iconic BBC sci-fi series, made its highly anticipated return to television after a 16-year hiatus, with Christopher Eccleston portraying the Doctor.
2000 — Vladimir Putin was elected president of Russia, beginning his long tenure in power and reshaping Russian politics and foreign policy.
1992 — Mike Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison for the rape of an 18-year-old woman, an event that significantly altered his boxing career.
1979 — Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty brokered by the US, officially ending decades of hostilities and establishing diplomatic relations.
1971 — The Awami League declared Bangladesh’s independence and established a government-in-exile in Kolkata amid the escalating Bangladesh Liberation War.
🎂 Today’s Birthdays
On March 26, we’re singing to:
Robert Frost (1874) — American poet known for his poignant depictions of rural life, with works such as "The Road Not Taken" that explore themes of nature, choices, and human experience.
Joseph Campbell (1904) — American author and mythologist famous for his work on comparative mythology and the "monomyth," popularized in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces.
Leonard Nimoy (1931) — American actor best remembered for his portrayal of Spock in Star Trek, a role that made him a cultural icon.
Steven Tyler (1948) — American singer and lead vocalist of the rock band Aerosmith, known for his high-pitched screams and charismatic stage presence.
Keira Knightley (1985) — British actress acclaimed for her performances in Pirates of the Caribbean, Atonement, and Pride & Prejudice, earning recognition for her versatility.
🪦Who Died Today?
On March 26, we’re saying goodbye to:
Walt Whitman (1892) — American poet and journalist revered for his groundbreaking collection Leaves of Grass, which celebrated individuality, democracy, and the human spirit.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1827) — One of the most influential composers in Western music history, who died at the age of 56 from complications related to cirrhosis of the liver.
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