October 26 - This Day in History

October 26: General Interest
1881: Shootout at the OK Corral

On this day in 1881, the Earp brothers face off against the Clanton-McLaury gang in a legendary shootout at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona... read more


American Revolution
1776 : Benjamin Franklin sets sail for France
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/benjamin-franklin-sets-sail-for-france


Automotive
1955 : "Outlaw" Sammy Swindell is born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/outlaw-sammy-swindell-is-born


Civil War
1864 : Rebel guerilla leader "Bloody Bill" Anderson is killed
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/bloody-bill-anderson-killed


Cold War
1955 : Diem declares himself premier of Republic of Vietnam
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/diem-declares-himself-premier-of-republic-of-vietnam


Crime
1948 : An abused wife gets revenge
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-abused-wife-gets-revenge

1984 : An Ozzy Osbourne fan commits suicide
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/an-ozzy-osbourne-fan-commits-suicide


Disaster
1998 : Hurricane Mitch slams into Central America
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hurricane-mitch-slams-into-central-america


General Interest
1825 : Erie Canal opens
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/erie-canal-opens

1944 : Battle of Leyte Gulf ends
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-leyte-gulf-ends

1984 : Infant receives baboon heart
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/infant-receives-baboon-heart


Hollywood
1946 : Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak born
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/wheel-of-fortunes-pat-sajak-born


Literary
1900 : Henry James and Edith Wharton begin corresponding
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/henry-james-and-edith-wharton-begin-corresponding


Music
1985 : Whitney Houston earns her first #1 hit with "Saving All My Love For You"
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/whitney-houston-earns-her-first-1-hit-with-quotsaving-all-my-love-for-youquot


Old West
1881 : The Earps shoot it out at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-earps-shoot-it-out-at-the-ok-corral-in-tombstone-arizona


Presidential
2001 : George W. Bush signs the Patriot Act
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-w-bush-signs-the-patriot-act


Sports
1986 : Buckner lets ground ball roll through his legs
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/buckner-lets-ground-ball-roll-through-his-legs


Vietnam War
1955 : Diem wins referendum in South Vietnam
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/diem-wins-referendum-in-south-vietnam

1966 : Fire breaks out on U.S. aircraft carrier
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fire-breaks-out-on-us-aircraft-carrier

1968 : Big battle begins in Tay Ninh Province
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/big-battle-begins-in-tay-ninh-province


World War I
1917 : Brazil declares war on Germany
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/brazil-declares-war-on-germany


World War II
1942 : The United States loses the Hornet
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-united-states-loses-the-hornet