This Day in History – June 26

This Day in History is DUE’s daily dose of trivia for all the history buffs out there. So sit back and take a ride to all the fascinating things that happened today!

People are trapped in history and history is trapped in people, and hence, every day has been a significant one in the foibles of History. Let’s take a tour of “This Day in History – 26th of June”.

1498 Toothbrush invented in China using boar bristles

The first bristle toothbrush was invented in China in 1498, where coarse boar hairs were attached to handles made of bamboo or bone. Boar bristles were used until 1938 when nylon bristles were introduced by the company Dupont de Nemours.

1843 Hong Kong proclaimed a British Crown Colony

Hong Kong Island was ceded in the Treaty of Nanking on 29 August 1842 and established as a Crown colony after ratification was exchanged on this day in history.

1914 The Indian Relief Act passes

The Indian Relief Act passes after a protracted period of Passive Resistance led by Gandhi. The act abolishes a £3 tax imposed on Indians who had not renewed their indentures and recognizes “the validity of Indian customary marriages”.

1945 United Nations Charter signed by 50 nations in San Francisco

On this day in history, the charter of the successor of League of Nations (LON) – United Nations Organisation was signed by 50 nations in San Francisco. The charter came into effect on the 24th day of October marking “United Nations Day”.

Read more here.

1949 1st Belgian parliamentary election where women can vote (CVP gains)

General elections were held in Belgium on 26 June 1949. Several reforms took effect prior to the elections; they were the first after the introduction of universal women’s suffrage; the number of seats in the Chamber of Representatives was increased from 202 to 212, and from now on, elections for the nine provincial councils were held simultaneously with parliamentary elections.

1955 Freedom Charter signed in South Africa

The Charter was officially adopted on this day in history at a gathering of about 3,000 people, known as the Congress of the People in Kliptown, Soweto. The charter also calls for democracy and human rights, land reform, labour rights, and nationalization.

1960 Madagascar (formerly Malagasy Rep) declares independence from France

The Malagasy Republic formally achieved its independence from France on this day in history. The governments of France and Madagascar signed a military assistance agreement, including French access to military bases on the island, on June 27, 1960.

1993 The U.S. launches a cruise missile attack targeting Baghdad intelligence headquarters

Between 1 AM and 2 AM local time on 26 June/June 27, 1993, 23 Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched by two US Navy warships into downtown Baghdad. These hit a building that was believed to be the headquarters of the Iraqi Intelligence Service in the Mansour district of Baghdad. This was done in retaliation for a thwarted assassination attempt against former President George H. W. Bush in April in Kuwait. Iraq claimed that nine civilians were killed in the attack and three civilian houses destroyed.

1997 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the 1st book in J. K. Rowling’s best-selling series, is published

Since the release, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, on 26 June 1997, the book have found immense popularity, positive reviews, and commercial success worldwide.

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