Israel
Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
What happened on December 26
35 events · 20 births · 20 deaths · 8 observances. From 1709 to 2025.
Standout on December 26
2025
Israel
Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
About December 26
December 26 is the 360th day of the year. These facts are computed from the calendar, not copied from anywhere.
- Day of the year
- Day 360 of 365 (361 in leap years)5 days left in the year (5 in leap years)
- Falls on
- Saturday in 2026, Sunday in 2027, Tuesday in 2028, Wednesday in 2029, Thursday in 2030
- Week
- ISO week 52 of 2026 · Q4
- Zodiac sign
- ♑ Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)
- Season
- Winter in the north · Summer in the south
- December birthstone
- Turquoise / Tanzanite / Zircongood fortune, wisdom and success
- December birth flower
- Narcissus / Holly / Poinsettiarespect, hope and good wishes
- Next occurrence
- In 60 days
- Roman numerals
- XXVI.XIIday.month — see the Roman numeral date tool
Anniversaries in 2026
- 250thAmerican Revolutionary War1776
- 80thBugsy Siegel1946
- 40thJoe Alexander1986
- 40thKit Harington1986
- 30thFederation of Korean Trade Unions1996
- 30thKilling of JonBenét Ramsey1996
- 25thAleksej Pokuševski2001
- 20th2006 Hengchun earthquakes2006
December 26 through the years
- 10 years ago2016
- Ricky Harris · George S. Irving
- 25 years ago2001
- Aleksej Pokuševski
- 50 years ago1976
- Nothing recorded
- 100 years ago1926
- Nothing recorded
- 200 years ago1826
- Nothing recorded
Born on December 26 — ages this year
- 2004Leo Carlssonturns 22
- 2002Josh Wilson-Esbrandturns 24
- 2001Aleksej Pokuševskiturns 25
- 1997Tamara Zidanšekturns 29
- 1994Colby Caveturns 32
- 1994Souleymane Coulibalyturns 32
Historical events 35
A dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
Israel–Somaliland relations
Israel recognises Somaliland as an independent state, becoming the first country to do so.
2021 Garland shooting
Three people are killed when a 14-year-old opens fire on civilians at a Texaco convenience store in Garland, Texas.
2015 Garland tornado
A violent tornado moves through several suburbs of Dallas, Texas, killing ten and injuring almost 500 others. It was the deadliest tornado to ever hit Texas during the month of December.
Yakovlev Corporation
An Irkut-Avia Antonov An-12 crashes on approach to Irkutsk Northwest Airport, killing all nine people on board.
High-speed rail in China
China opens the world's longest high-speed rail route, which links Beijing and Guangzhou.
2006 Hengchun earthquakes
Two earthquakes off the southwest coast of Taiwan damaged submarine communications cables, disrupting Internet services in Asia and affecting financial transactions.
Orange Revolution
Orange Revolution: The final run-off election in Ukraine is held under heavy international scrutiny.
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
A major earthquake and tsunami devastated communities around the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 227,898 people in 14 countries.
2003 Bam earthquake
The 6.6 Mw Bam earthquake shakes southeastern Iran with a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (Violent), leaving more than 26,000 dead and 30,000 injured.
Cyclone Lothar
The storm Lothar sweeps across Central Europe, killing 137 and causing US$1.3 billion in damage.
Ba'athist Iraq
Iraq announces its intention to fire upon U.S. and British warplanes that patrol the northern and southern no-fly zones.
Killing of JonBenét Ramsey
Six-year-old American beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey was found beaten and strangled in the basement of her family's home in Boulder, Colorado.
Federation of Korean Trade Unions
The Federation of Korean Trade Unions called on its 1.2 million members to refuse to work, beginning the largest organized strike in South Korean history.
Armed Islamic Group of Algeria
Four Armed Islamic Group hijackers seize control of Air France Flight 8969. When the plane lands at Marseille, a French Gendarmerie assault team boards the aircraft and kills the hijackers.
Kuban Airlines Flight 5719
Kuban Airlines Flight 5719 crashes during a go-around at Gyumri Shirak International Airport, killing 35 of the 36 people on board.
Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union
The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union meets and formally dissolves the Soviet Union, ending the Cold War.
United Express Flight 2415
United Express Flight 2415 crashes on approach to the Tri-Cities Airport in Pasco, Washington, killing all six people on board.
Rendlesham Forest incident
Witnesses report the first of several sightings of unexplained lights near RAF Woodbridge, in Rendlesham Forest, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom, an incident called "Britain's Roswell".
Dakar Rally
The inaugural Paris-Dakar Rally begins.
Tupolev Tu-144
Tu-144, the world's first commercial supersonic aircraft, surpassing Mach 2, goes into service.
Vietnam War
Vietnam War: As part of Operation Linebacker II, 120 American B-52 Stratofortress bombers attacked Hanoi, including 78 launched from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam, the largest single combat launch in Strategic Air Command history.
Communist Party of the Philippines
The Communist Party of the Philippines is established by Jose Maria Sison, breaking away from the Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas-1930.
Bugsy Siegel
American gangster Bugsy Siegel opened The Flamingo Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, the oldest casino still in operation on the Las Vegas Strip.
World War II
World War II: In the Battle of Cape Gloucester, American and Australian forces bombarded Japanese positions on New Britain in the Territory of New Guinea while U.S. Marines invaded from two sides of the island.
Babe Ruth
American baseball player Babe Ruth (pictured) was sold by the Boston Red Sox to their rivals, the New York Yankees, beginning the 84-year-long "Curse of the Bambino".
French Academy of Sciences
At the French Academy of Sciences, physicists Pierre and Marie Curie announced the discovery of a new element, naming it radium.
Thespis (opera)
Thespis, the first comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan, premiered at the Gaiety Theatre in London.
American Civil War
American Civil War: The Battle of Chickasaw Bayou began with Confederate defenders engaging Union forces who were attempting to capture the city of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Imperial Russian Army
Imperial Russian Army officers led about 3,000 soldiers in protest against Nicholas I's assumption of the throne after his elder brother Konstantin removed himself from the line of succession.
Richmond, Virginia
Seventy-two people died when a theater in Richmond, Virginia, was destroyed by fire, becoming the worst urban disaster in American history at the time.
Philip Gidley King
Philip Gidley King, Governor of New South Wales, ordered the formation of the Governor's Body Guard of Light Horse, described as the first full-time military unit raised in Australia.
American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War: George Washington led a Continental Army column across the Delaware River to launch a surprise attack against Hessian forces at the Battle of Trenton (painting shown).
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach (pictured) directed the premiere of Darzu ist erschienen der Sohn Gottes, his first Christmas cantata composed in Leipzig.
Agrippina (opera)
The opera Agrippina, described as George Frideric Handel's first masterpiece, premiered in Venice.
Births 20
A notable person born on this day. Each links to a person page with their dates and story.
Deaths 20
A notable person who died on this day.
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh, Indian economist and politician, 13th Prime Minister of India (born 1932)
Lukas Enembe
Lukas Enembe, Indonesian politician, Governor of Papua from 2013 to 2023 (born1967)
Paul B. Kidd
Paul B. Kidd, Australian author, journalist, and radio show host (born 1945)
Desmond Tutu
Desmond Tutu, South African Anglican bishop, theologian and anti-apartheid and human rights activist (born 1931)
Karolos Papoulias
Karolos Papoulias, Greek politician, President of Greece from 2005 to 2015 (born 1929)
Giacomo Capuzzi
Giacomo Capuzzi, Italian Roman Catholic prelate, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lodi (born 1929)
Irv Weinstein
Irv Weinstein, American broadcaster and television news anchor (born 1930)
Stanisław Barańczak
Stanisław Barańczak, Polish-American poet, critic, and scholar (born 1946)
James B. Edwards
James B. Edwards, American dentist, soldier, and politician, 3rd United States Secretary of Energy (born 1927)
Leo Tindemans
Leo Tindemans, Belgian politician, 43rd Prime Minister of Belgium (born 1922)
Holidays & observances 8
A holiday, feast day, awareness day or national day observed every year on this date.
Synaxis
Christian feast day: Synaxis of the Theotokos (Eastern Orthodox Church)
Family Day
Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances: Family Day (Vanuatu)
Saint Stephen
Christian feast day: Saint Stephen (Western Church)
Abadiu of Antinoe
Christian feast day: Abadiu of Antinoe (Coptic Church)
Boxing Day
Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances: Day of Good Will (South Africa and Namibia)
Pope Dionysius
Christian feast day: Pope Dionysius
Public holidays in the Solomon Islands
Boxing Day, except when December 26 is a Sunday. If it is a Sunday, Boxing Day is transferred to December 27 by Royal Proclamation. (Commonwealth of Nations), and its related observances: Thanksgiving (Solomon Islands)
James, brother of Jesus
Christian feast day: James the Just (Eastern Orthodox Church)
Spread across the centuries
- 18th century4
- 19th century5
- 20th century33
- 21st century33
Earliest: Agrippina (opera) (1709). Most recent: Israel (2025).
What the categories mean, and how the standout is chosen
- Historical events
- A dated happening — a battle, treaty, launch, discovery, disaster or decision — recorded on this calendar day.
- Births
- A notable person born on this day. Each links to a person page with their dates and story.
- Deaths
- A notable person who died on this day.
- Milestones
- A first, a founding or a turning point our editors flagged as a landmark moment.
- Holidays & observances
- A holiday, feast day, awareness day or national day observed every year on this date.
- Standout / notable
- Editor-written entries come first, then entries covered by the most Wikipedia language editions. For the standout tile we prefer an entry that has a picture.
Nearby and related
Questions about December 26
What day of the year is December 26?
December 26 is the 360th day of the year, with 5 days left after it.
What star sign is December 26?
December 26 falls under Capricorn (December 22 – January 19), a earth sign ruled by Saturn. The birthstone for the month is Turquoise or Tanzanite or Zircon.
How many things happened on December 26?
We record 83 entries for December 26: 35 events · 20 births · 20 deaths · 8 observances. From 1709 to 2025.
Who was born on December 26?
Leo Carlsson (2004) is among the notable births on December 26. The births section lists the rest.
How often is the December 26 page updated?
The day is filled the first time anyone opens it and then re-checked for new entries about every 90 days. Computed facts such as the weekday and the anniversaries update every year.
Get a daily entry like December 26
One short email a day from this calendar. Kept for this site only.
Text adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0 and from Wikidata (CC0). Images come from Wikimedia Commons; credit and licence are shown with each image. Editorial entries are © What's On This Date. Sources & licensing · How this site works.