451day.year
Battle of Avarayr between Armenian rebels and the Sasanian Empire takes place. The Sasanids defeat the Armenians militarily but guarantee them freedom to openly practice Christianity.
Armenian rebels fought the Sasanian Empire at Avarayr, securing religious freedom despite military defeat.
On May 26, 451, Armenian noblemen and peasants united under Vardan Mamikonian to challenge Sasanian rule at Avarayr.
Although the Armenian forces were defeated in battle, they displayed remarkable courage and unity.
In the aftermath, the Sasanian emperor granted Armenians the right to practice Christianity openly.
This battle became a symbol of Armenian resistance and commitment to their Christian faith.
The legacy of Avarayr influenced Armenian culture and national identity for centuries.
Today, it is commemorated as a pivotal moment in Armenia's religious and political history.
451
Battle of Avarayr
Armenian
Sasanian Empire
Christianity
1538day.year
Geneva expels John Calvin and his followers from the city. Calvin lives in exile in Strasbourg for the next three years.
John Calvin and his followers were expelled from Geneva, leading him into exile in Strasbourg.
On May 26, 1538, the government of Geneva voted to exile reformer John Calvin and his followers.
Disputes over church governance and strict moral regulations led to Calvin's departure.
He relocated to Strasbourg, where he continued his work and refined his theological ideas.
During his exile, Calvin forged key alliances and wrote influential treatises on church discipline.
His time in Strasbourg prepared him for his eventual return to Geneva in 1541.
Calvin's expulsion highlighted the turbulent origins of the Protestant Reformation in Europe.
1538
Geneva
John Calvin
Strasbourg
1783day.year
A Great Jubilee Day held at North Stratford, Connecticut, celebrates the end of fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
Communities in North Stratford (now Trumbull), Connecticut held a Great Jubilee Day to celebrate the cessation of hostilities in the American Revolutionary War.
On May 26, 1783, residents of North Stratford gathered to mark the end of active fighting in the American Revolutionary War.
Known as the Great Jubilee Day, the celebration featured church bells, cannon salutes, and communal feasting.
Patriotic hymns were sung and prayers of thanksgiving offered for peace and independence.
Though the Treaty of Paris was not yet signed, the event symbolized the transition from war to peace.
Neighbors shared food, raised toasts, and reflected on the sacrifices made for liberty.
The Great Jubilee Day is remembered as one of the earliest public celebrations of American independence and reconciliation.
1783
A Great Jubilee Day
North Stratford, Connecticut
American Revolutionary War
1869day.year
Boston University is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Boston University received its charter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, formally establishing the institution.
On May 26, 1869, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted a charter to Boston University, elevating it to university status.
Originally founded in 1839 as the Newbury Biblical Institute, the school had evolved into a broader educational center.
The new charter empowered the institution to award degrees across arts, sciences, and professional fields.
Boston University became one of the first American universities to admit women on equal terms with men.
Under the leadership of President William A. Stearns, the university expanded rapidly in both faculty and infrastructure.
This charter laid the foundation for BU’s growth into a major research institution and global educational leader.
1869
Boston University
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
1903day.year
Românul de la Pind, the longest-running newspaper by and about Aromanians until World War II, is founded.
Românul de la Pind was founded in 1903 as a key Aromanian newspaper, becoming a central cultural voice until World War II.
Românul de la Pind was established on May 26, 1903, in Bucharest to serve the Aromanian diaspora. Founded by activists seeking cultural preservation, it became the longest-running Aromanian newspaper until World War II. The publication featured news, literature, and commentary in Aromanian and Romanian. It fostered a sense of identity among scattered Aromanian communities across the Balkans. Contributors included scholars, poets, and political figures advocating for minority rights. Despite financial and political challenges, the paper maintained regular circulation for nearly four decades. It played a crucial role in documenting Aromanian traditions and language. Its archives now provide valuable insight into early 20th-century Balkan minority issues.
1903
Românul de la Pind
Aromanians
World War II
1937day.year
Walter Reuther and members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) clash with Ford Motor Company security guards at the River Rouge Complex complex in Dearborn, Michigan, during the Battle of the Overpass.
The Battle of the Overpass saw Walter Reuther and UAW organizers violently confronted by Ford security at the River Rouge Complex in a pivotal moment for American labor rights.
On May 26, 1937, union leader Walter Reuther and members of the United Auto Workers attempted to distribute leaflets at Ford’s River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford Motor Company’s private security force met them at the Overpass Bridge, leading to a violent confrontation. Photographs of the skirmish later galvanized public opinion in favor of labor rights and union recognition. The clash, known as the Battle of the Overpass, highlighted tensions between industrial workers and corporate management during the Great Depression. Reuther emerged as a prominent labor figure, and the event helped boost support for the UAW across the nation. The public outcry prompted calls for legislation supporting collective bargaining and labor protections. This turning point significantly shaped the trajectory of American labor law in the mid-20th century.
1937
Walter Reuther
United Auto Workers
Ford Motor Company
River Rouge Complex
Dearborn, Michigan
Battle of the Overpass
1998day.year
The first "National Sorry Day" is held in Australia. Reconciliation events are held nationally, and attended by over a million people.
On May 26, 1998, the first National Sorry Day was held in Australia, with over a million attendees taking part in nationwide reconciliation events.
National Sorry Day was established to acknowledge the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children known as the Stolen Generations. The inaugural events in 1998 featured ceremonies, marches, and community gatherings across Australia, drawing more than one million participants. Elders and community leaders shared moving testimonies of loss and resilience, while governments began grappling with past injustices. The day aimed to foster healing, understanding, and national unity between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Its success paved the way for the formal national apology delivered by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. Today, National Sorry Day remains a cornerstone of Australia’s reconciliation journey, inspiring ongoing dialogue and support for Indigenous rights.
National Sorry Day
2020day.year
Protests triggered by the murder of George Floyd erupt in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, later becoming widespread across the United States and around the world.
Protests begin in Minneapolis–Saint Paul after the murder of George Floyd, evolving into global demonstrations against racial injustice.
On May 26, 2020, peaceful demonstrations began in Minneapolis–Saint Paul in response to the killing of George Floyd by a police officer. These protests rapidly spread to cities across the United States and around the world, drawing millions of participants demanding justice and police reform. Demonstrators called for an end to systemic racism, excessive use of force, and inequities in the criminal justice system. While many protests remained peaceful, some escalated into clashes with law enforcement and incidents of property damage. The movement prompted corporate and governmental commitments to diversity and equity initiatives as well as legislative proposals. Iconic moments, such as large-scale marches and the removal of controversial monuments, symbolized a global reckoning with racial injustice. The 2020 protests marked a turning point in modern civil rights activism, inspiring enduring conversations and policy changes.
2020
Protests
murder
George Floyd
Minneapolis–Saint Paul
across the United States
around the world