On this day: December 26
The Birth of Mao Zedong (1893)
On December 26, 1893, Mao Zedong, the Chinese revolutionary leader who would go on to become the founding father of the People’s Republic of China, was born in Shaoshan, Hunan Province. Mao’s leadership of the Communist Party of China and his role in the Chinese Civil War and the founding of the People’s Republic of China had a profound impact on the course of Chinese history.
The Great Fire of San Francisco (1906)
On December 26, 1906, a devastating earthquake struck San Francisco, California, resulting in a massive fire that destroyed much of the city. The earthquake, which is estimated to have had a magnitude of 7.8, caused widespread destruction and loss of life, with over 3,000 people killed and thousands more left homeless. The Great Fire of San Francisco is remembered as one of the most destructive natural disasters in American history.
The Establishment of the National Park Service (1916)
On December 26, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, creating the National Park Service as a federal agency responsible for managing and preserving the country’s national parks and monuments. The establishment of the National Park Service marked a significant milestone in the conservation movement in the United States, ensuring the protection and preservation of some of the country’s most beautiful and important natural landscapes for future generations to enjoy.
The Assassination of Indira Gandhi (1984)
On December 26, 1984, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by two of her Sikh bodyguards in retaliation for her decision to launch a military operation against Sikh separatists in the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Gandhi’s assassination sparked widespread violence and anti-Sikh riots in India, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Sikhs. The assassination of Indira Gandhi marked a dark chapter in Indian history and had a lasting impact on the country’s politics and society.
The Indian Ocean Tsunami (2004)
On December 26, 2004, a massive undersea earthquake off the coast of Indonesia triggered a series of devastating tsunamis that struck coastal areas around the Indian Ocean, killing over 230,000 people in 14 countries. The Indian Ocean Tsunami, one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, caused widespread destruction and displacement, leaving millions of people homeless and in need of humanitarian assistance. The response to the disaster highlighted the importance of international cooperation and solidarity in times of crisis.
