Today in History
1972 The Soviet Union and the United States sign the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty
The ABM Treaty governed the construction of anti-ballistic missile defenses against nuclear missiles. During the Cold War, it was one of the most important treaties between the two superpowers.
1970 The Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2
The Russian plane, sometimes nicknamed Concordski, first took to the skies in 1968, two months before the Concorde.
1923 The 24 Hours of Le Mans is held for the first time
In 1923, only three competitors finished the race. France’s André Lagarde and Albert Leonard won after covering 2210 kilometers in 24 hours.
1908 Engineers make the first major oil find in the Middle East
The discovery in Masjed Soleyman, Iran, had a significant impact on the economy and politics of the country and the world region. The Middle East contains more than half of the world’s oil reserves.
1896 The Dow Jones Industrial Average is first published
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is one of the world’s most important stock market indices. It now includes data from 30 major US corporations.
Births On This Day, May 26
1975 Lauryn Hill
American singer-songwriter, producer, actress
1964 Lenny Kravitz
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, actor
1926 Miles Davis
American trumpet player, composer, bandleader
1907 John Wayne
American actor, director, producer
1886 Al Jolson
Lithuanian/American singer, actor
Deaths On This Day, May 26
2008 Sydney Pollack
American director
1976 Martin Heidegger
German philosopher
1908 Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Indian religious leader, founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
1703 Samuel Pepys
English administrator, politician
735 Bede
English monk, historian, theologian
