What Happened On This Day – December 26
2004 Massive tsunami causes damage and kills thousands in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand
The tsunami was precipitated by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The earthquake was the third strongest earthquake ever measured by the Richter scale in recorded history. The other two were the Valdivia earthquake in Chile in 1960, with a magnitude of 9.5 and the Prince William Sound earthquake in Alaska in 1964, with a magnitude of 9.2. The Indian Ocean earthquake killed about 200,000 people and is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent history.
1998 The Curies announce the existence of Radium
The radioactive element has an atomic number of 88 and is known by the symbol Ra. In its pure form, it is a highly toxic element and is not used extensively for scientific purposes.
1982 The December issue of Times magazine proclaimed the personal computer as the "Man of the Year"
The Times Man of the Year tradition began in 1927 as a way to identify and showcase those that influenced the year and its events significantly. In 1999, the feature was renamed Person of the Year.
1966 First Kwanzaa celebrations
The week long cultural holiday is celebrated among African diaspora in the United States and was created by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies and a key figure in the Black Power movement. The holiday is celebrated annually from December 26 to January 1 and is a recognition of African culture and heritage.
1941 Fourth Thursday of November set as Thanksgiving Day in the US
The holiday has been celebrated since 1863. The first Thanksgiving is thought to have been celebrated by early settlers in the United States after their first harvest in 1621.
Births On This Day – December 26
1956 David Sedaris
American comedian, author, radio host
1893 Mao Zedong
Chinese military leader, politician
1891 Henry Miller
American author, painter
1837 George Dewey
American admiral
1791 Charles Babbage
English mathematician, engineer, invented the Difference engine
Deaths On This Day – December 26
2006 Gerald Ford
American politician, 38th President of the United States
1997 Cornelius Castoriadis
Greek economist, philosopher
1974 Jack Benny
American actor, comedian
1972 Harry S. Truman
American colonel, politician, 33rd President of the United States
1890 Heinrich Schliemann
German archaeologist
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