TODAY’S HISTORY LESSON: MAY 26
451 The Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sassanid Empire takes place. The Armenians are defeated militarily but are guaranteed freedom to openly practice Christianity.
1521 Martin Luther’s writings were banned by the Edict of Worms.
1538 Geneva expels John Calvin and his followers from the city. Calvin lives in exile in Strasbourg for the next three years.
1647 A new law bans Catholic priests from the colony of Massachusetts. The penalty is banishment or death for a second offense
1670 A treaty was signed in secret in Dover, England, between Charles II and Louis XIV ending the hostilities between them.
1691 Jacob Leisler, leader of the popular uprising in support of William and Mary’s succession to the throne, is executed for treason.
1781 Bank of North America incorporated in Philadelphia
1788 Mary Clark of England gives birth to a baby without a brain
1835 A resolution is passed in the U.S. Congress stating that Congress has no authority over state slavery laws.
1857 US slave Dred Scott and family freed by owner Henry Taylor Blow, only 3 months after US courts ruled against them in Dred Scott v. Sandford
1864 The territory of Montana is organized
1868 President Andrew Johnson is acquitted of all charges of impeachment.
1908 At Masjed Soleyman (مسجد سليمان) in southwest Persia, the first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made, rights acquired by the United Kingdom
1923 The 24 Hours of Le Mans is held for the first time
1924 President Coolidge signs Immigration Law (restricting immigration)
1938 The House Committee on Un-American Activities begins its work of searching for subversives in the United States.
1940 The evacuation of Allied forces from Dunkirk begins.
1948 The U.S. Congress passed Public Law 557 which permanently established the Civil Air Patrol as the Auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force.
1959 The word “Frisbee” became a registered trademark of Wham-O.
1966 Buddhist sets self on fire at US consulate in Hué South-Vietnam
1984 US President Ronald Reagan rules out US military intervention in Iran-Iraq war
1987 US Supreme Court ruled dangerous defendants could be held without bail
1994 U.S. President Clinton renewed trade privileges for China, and announced that his administration would no longer link China’s trade status with its human rights record.
1998 The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Ellis Island was mainly in New Jersey, not New York.
2004 The United States Army veteran Terry Nichols is found guilty of 161 state murder charges for helping carry out the Oklahoma City bombing
REFERENCE: HISTORY.NET, ONTHISDAY.COM, TIMEANDDATE.COM, INFOPLEASE.COM, FACTMONSTER.COM, SCOPESYS.COM, ON-THIS-DAY.COM, THEPEOPLEHISTORY.COM
