On this day: May 26
May 26, 1896: Charles Dow publishes the first edition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average
On this day in 1896, Charles Dow, the founder of Dow Jones & Company, published the first edition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The index was created to track the performance of major industrial companies in the United States and has since become one of the most widely followed stock market indexes in the world.
May 26, 1940: Operation Dynamo begins
Operation Dynamo, also known as the Dunkirk evacuation, began on this day in 1940. The operation was a mass evacuation of Allied soldiers from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern France during World War II. Over the course of nine days, more than 330,000 troops were rescued by a fleet of over 800 boats, including military vessels and civilian crafts.
May 26, 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono begin their “Bed-In for Peace” in Montreal
On this day in 1969, John Lennon and Yoko Ono began their “Bed-In for Peace” at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada. The couple stayed in bed for a week to protest against war and promote peace. The event garnered international attention and became a symbol of the peace movement of the 1960s.
May 26, 1977: George Lucas’ Star Wars is released in theaters
On this day in 1977, George Lucas’ epic space opera film, Star Wars, was released in theaters. The film became a cultural phenomenon and went on to spawn a successful franchise that includes sequels, prequels, spin-offs, and merchandise. Star Wars has since become one of the most beloved and enduring film series in history.
May 26, 2004: The United States lifts economic sanctions on Libya
On this day in 2004, the United States lifted economic sanctions on Libya, ending decades of isolation between the two countries. The move came after Libya agreed to dismantle its weapons of mass destruction program and compensate the victims of the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. The lifting of sanctions paved the way for improved diplomatic relations between the two nations.
May 26, 2016: Barack Obama becomes the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, Japan
On this day in 2016, President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to visit Hiroshima, Japan, the site of the first atomic bombing in history. In a speech at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Obama called for a world without nuclear weapons and paid tribute to the victims of the bombing. The visit was seen as a significant moment in U.S.-Japan relations and a symbolic step towards reconciliation.
