26 December in history
4 events that happened on 26 December, from 1776 to 2004.
✦ Anniversary of the day
1776 CE 250 years ago
Washington defeats the Hessians at Trenton
Washington's army surprised the Hessian garrison at Trenton, capturing about 900 soldiers with few American losses. The victory revived the Revolution after months of defeat.
1825 CE 201 years ago
The Decembrist revolt fails in St Petersburg
Army officers led troops onto Senate Square to refuse allegiance to Nicholas I and demand reform. Cannon fire dispersed them; five leaders were hanged, and the Decembrists inspired later Russian radicals.
1898 CE 128 years ago
The Curies announce the discovery of radium
A paper presented to the French Academy of Sciences announced radium, a new element found in pitchblende by Marie and Pierre Curie with Gustave Bémont. It later proved vital in early cancer treatment.
2004 CE 22 years ago
An earthquake and tsunami devastate the Indian Ocean
A magnitude 9.1 earthquake off Sumatra sent tsunamis across the Indian Ocean, killing about 230,000 people in 14 countries. Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand were worst hit.