What happened on May 26th?

It’s Sunday and tomorrow is a holiday. What could be better? But before you head out and fire up the grill, make sure you get the history of the day.

It was a rough one for Martin Luther and the Confederate States of America, but a big one for President Andrew Johnson and Czar Nicolas II/

Here’s everything that has happened on May 26:

📜1521: Martin Luther Declared a Heretic by the Edict of Worms

Martin Luther's teachings were condemned by the Catholic Church, leading to his excommunication. The Edict of Worms, issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, labeled him an outlaw and banned his writings. Despite this, Luther's ideas spread rapidly, igniting the Protestant Reformation, which challenged the Catholic Church's authority and brought significant religious and political changes across Europe.

🤝1865: One of the Last Confederate Generals Surrendered

General Edmund Kirby Smith signed the surrender terms in Galveston, Texas, marking one of the final Confederate surrenders and signaling the end of the US Civil War. This collapse of resistance led to the reunification of the United States and the start of Reconstruction, a period of significant social, economic, and political change aimed at integrating formerly enslaved people and rebuilding the Southern states.

⚖️1868: The Impeachment Trial of U.S. President Andrew Johnson Ends in Aquittal

Impeached for violating the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to remove Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, President Andrew Johnson narrowly avoided removal from office, acquitted by just one vote in the Senate. This trial tested the balance of power between the presidency and Congress during the Reconstruction era, setting a precedent for future impeachment proceedings in the United States.

🌊1876: The Challenger Expedition Concluded Successfully

After a four-year voyage, the HMS Challenger returned to England, having conducted the first comprehensive scientific survey of the world's oceans. This groundbreaking expedition, led by Sir Charles Wyville Thomson, collected vast data on ocean temperatures, currents, marine life, and the seafloor, laying the foundation for modern oceanography and advancing marine science.

👑1896: The Coronation of Czar Nicholas II

Nicholas II's lavish coronation at the Kremlin marked the start of his reign. His leadership was plagued by political unrest, economic hardship, and military defeats, culminating in the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the fall of the Romanov dynasty and the rise of the Soviet Union, drastically altering Russia's political and social landscape.

🧛1897: Irish Writer Bram Stoker Published Dracula

This work combined Gothic horror and Victorian anxieties, establishing many conventions of the vampire genre and influencing countless adaptations in literature, film, and other media, thereby shaping the modern perception of vampires and solidifying its place in popular culture.

🎭1913: Actors' Equity Association Was Founded

Formed in the association aimed to protect theater actors' rights and improve their working conditions, this union fought for fair wages, safe working environments, and benefits such as health care and pensions, significantly improving the professional standards of the theater industry and ensuring actors' welfare. 

🛂1924: President Coolidge Signs Immigration Act

The Johnson-Reed Act imposed strict national origin quotas on immigration. This law significantly limited immigration from southern and eastern Europe and virtually excluded Asians, reflecting the nativist and xenophobic sentiments of the era. The Act aimed to preserve the ethnic composition of the United States but had long-term impacts on the nation's demographic landscape and immigration policy.

🚗1927: The Ford Motor Company Ended Production of Its Model T

After producing over 15 million units, the Ford Motor Company ceased production of the Model T, marking the end of an era. Introduced in 1908, the Model T revolutionized transportation by making cars affordable for the average American and pioneered assembly line production, transforming the automotive industry and influencing industrial practices worldwide. Learn more about Henry Ford, the visionary inventor behind the company, in our feature article: Fast Moving: Henry Ford’s Contributions to America.

🕵️1938: The Creation of the House Un-American Activities Committee

Established to investigate alleged disloyalty and subversive activities, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) targeted private citizens, public employees, and organizations suspected of Communist ties. Initially focused on Nazi propaganda, HUAC gained prominence during the Cold War, targeting Hollywood figures, leading to blacklisting and raising significant concerns about civil liberties, due process, and the impact of political paranoia in American society.

⛴️1940: The British Began to Evacuate Their Troops from Dunkirk

During World War II, the British began Operation Dynamo on May 26, 1940, to evacuate their troops trapped by German forces on the beaches of Dunkirk, France. The miraculous nine-day evacuation saved over 330,000 Allied soldiers, using a hastily assembled fleet of over 800 boats, including civilian vessels. This operation not only preserved a significant portion of the Allied forces but also became a symbol of hope and resilience, boosting British morale and sustaining the Allied war effort.

🎉1966: Guyana Gained Its Independence

On May 26, Guyana became a sovereign nation after over 200 years of British colonial rule. This move, part of a broader wave of decolonization across the Caribbean and Africa, allowed Guyana to establish its own government, economy, and national identity, though it faced challenges such as political instability and economic development in the years that followed.

🌟Born on This Day in History

1906: John Wayne, Actor

Originally named Marion Morrison, John Wayne became a legendary star of Western films and a cultural icon, known for his roles in classics like "Stagecoach," "The Searchers," and "True Grit," and his influence on American frontier values and patriotism.

1926: Miles Davis, Musician

A revolutionary jazz trumpeter who transformed the genre with his innovative style, pioneering albums like "Kind of Blue" and "Bitches Brew."

1951: Sally Ride, US Astronaut

The first American woman in space, breaking barriers and inspiring future generations through her pioneering achievements and advocacy for STEM education.

1964: Lenny Kravitz, Musician

A multi-talented artist known for his fusion of rock, funk, and soul, with hits like "Are You Gonna Go My Way" and "Fly Away," earning him multiple Grammy Awards and a lasting impact on modern music.

💔Died on This Day in History

946: Edmund I, King Of England

Also known as Edmund the Magnificent, he reigned as King of England from 939 until his untimely death in 946. His rule was marked by efforts to consolidate his kingdom and defend it against Viking invasions and for his bravery and attempts to restore lands lost to Danish control. Learn more about his reign and the history of English monarchs: The Kings and Queens of England: English Monarchs Timeline from William the Conqueror to Elizabeth II.

1924: Victor Herbert, Composer

A prolific composer best known for his operettas such as "Babes in Toyland" and "Naughty Marietta," Herbert's work significantly shaped the American musical theater landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

1976: Martin Heidegger, German Philosopher

A major figure in existential philosophy and phenomenology. His seminal work, "Being and Time," profoundly influenced contemporary philosophy by exploring the nature of existence and human experience.

2018: Alan Bean, US Astronaut

In 2018, Alan Bean, the American astronaut and the fourth person to walk on the moon, passed away. Known for his Apollo 12 mission and later contributions as a painter, Bean uniquely captured the spirit of space exploration through both his scientific achievements and his artistic endeavors.

See, I told you it was a big one.

Stay tuned for more history coming your way tomorrow.

Thanks for reading,

Matt