October 26 - Blocks

Blocks

This Day In History

1689

General Piccolomini of Austria burned down Skopje to prevent the spread of cholera. He died of cholera himself soon after.

1774

The first Continental Congress adjourns in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1776

Benjamin Franklin departs from America for France on a mission to seek French support for the American Revolution.

1825

The Erie Canal opens.

1861

The Pony Express officially ceases operations.

1936

The first electric generator at Hoover Dam goes into full operation.

1977

The last natural case of smallpox is discovered in Merca district, Somalia. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention consider this date the anniversary of the eradication of smallpox, the most spectacular success of vaccination.

Famous Birthdays

1564

Hans Leo Hassler German composer and organist (d. 1612)

1673

Dimitrie Cantemir, Moldavian prince, prolific man of letters – philosopher, historian, composer, musicologist, linguist, ethnographer, and geographer (d. 1723)

1694

Johan Helmich Roman, Swedish composer (d. 1758)

1800

Helmuth von Moltke the Elder, Prussian field marshal (d. 1891)

1803

Joseph Hansom, English architect and inventor (d. 1882)

1854

C. W. Post, American entrepreneur (d. 1914)

1902

Beryl Markham, British-born Kenyan aviatrix, adventurer, racehorse trainer and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west, now primarily remembered as the author of the memoir West with the Night (d. 1986)

1942

Bob Hoskins, British actor

1945

Pat Conroy, American writer

1947

Hillary Rodham Clinton, American politician

1952

David Was, member of 1980's group Was (Not Was)

1953

Jennifer Roberson, American author of fantasy and historical literature
1956
Rita Wilson, American actress
1961
Dylan McDermott, American actor
1962
Cary Elwes, British actor
1967
Keith Urban, New Zealand singer
1971
Jim Butcher, American author