What Happened in 1926
Historical Highlights of 1926
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The General Strike in the U.K. – A nine-day general strike took place in Britain, as coal miners protested wage cuts and worsening working conditions.
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The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) began enforcing stricter film guidelines due to Hollywood scandals, influencing future film censorship codes.
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A.A. Milne’s beloved children’s book "Winnie-the-Pooh" was published.
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The First SAT Exam is Administered – The Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) was given for the first time, changing the future of college admissions in the U.S.
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U.S. Route 66 Established – The famous Route 66 highway was officially designated, connecting Chicago to Los Angeles, later becoming an iconic road trip route.
Pop Culture & Fun Facts from 1926
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Silent films were at their peak, with stars like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and Greta Garbo dominating the big screen.
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More families owned radios, and popular programs like "The Eveready Hour" and "The Atwater Kent Hour" entertained listeners across the country.
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The Charleston Dance Craze Continues – The Charleston, one of the most famous dances of the Roaring Twenties, remained a sensation in clubs and social gatherings.
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Legendary escape artist Harry Houdini performed his final act before passing away later in the year.
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Jazz continued to take over American music, with artists like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith rising in popularity.
Science & Inventions of 1926
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First Successful Transatlantic Television Transmission – John Logie Baird transmitted the first moving television images across the Atlantic, a major step toward global TV broadcasting.
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Robert H. Goddard, the father of modern rocketry, successfully launched the first liquid-fueled rocket, paving the way for space exploration.
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The first widely available electric refrigerators hit the market, replacing iceboxes in many households and revolutionizing food storage.
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Dr. Mark Lidwell and Dr. Edgar Booth developed a crude but functional pacemaker, a major step toward modern heart treatments.
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Wright Field (now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base) was established in Ohio, becoming a hub for aeronautical research and military aviation advancements.
Sports Highlights of 1926
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Babe Ruth hit 47 home runs for the New York Yankees, further cementing his place as baseball’s biggest star.
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In a highly anticipated boxing match, Gene Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey to win the World Heavyweight Championship, a pivotal moment in boxing history.
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Bill Tilden continued his dominance in tennis, winning Wimbledon and reinforcing his position as the top tennis player in the world.
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The World Series – The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Yankees in the 1926 World Series, with Grover Cleveland Alexander pitching a key game to clinch the victory.
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The Kentucky Derby – Jesse W. Young rode Brokers Tip to victory in the 1926 Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous horse races in America.
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The NFL Championship – The Chicago Bears won the NFL Championship in 1926, cementing their place as one of the most successful teams of the early professional football era.
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Golf – U.S. Open – Bobby Jones continued to make a name for himself, taking part in key tournaments that would help solidify his reputation in the sport.
Top Songs of 1926
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"I’m Sitting on Top of the World" – Al Jolson
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"Dinah" – Eddy Cantor
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"Sweet Georgia Brown" – Ben Bernie and His Orchestra
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"Tea for Two" – Vincent Youmans
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"The Charleston" – Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
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"Yes Sir, That’s My Baby" – Gene Austin
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"Baby Face" – Jan Garber
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"After You’ve Gone" – Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra
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"When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along" – Al Jolson
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"My Blue Heaven" – Gene Austin
Top Movies of 1926
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The General
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The Gold Rush
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Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
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The Phantom of the Opera
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Go West
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The Freshman
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The Strong Man
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Seven Chances
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Lady Windermere's Fan
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The Big Parade
FREE 1926 Year You Were Born Printable
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