What Happened on December 26?

December 26 begins Kwanzaa — a seven-day celebration of African American culture and principles — on the same date Boxing Day is observed in many Commonwealth countries, Washington won at Trenton in 1776, and the Curies announced radium in 1898.

• 1776 — Washington wins the Battle of Trenton after crossing the Delaware

  On December 26, 1776, General George Washington's army surprised Hessian troops at Trenton, New Jersey — a badly needed Revolutionary War victory. Read the full story →

• 1898 — Marie and Pierre Curie announce the discovery of radium

  On December 26, 1898, the Curies told the French Academy of Sciences they had found a new radioactive element — radium. Read the full story →

• 1933 — Edwin Armstrong is granted a key U.S. patent for FM radio

  On December 26, 1933, inventor Edwin Howard Armstrong received a patent that helped launch frequency-modulation (FM) radio. Read the full story →

• 1966 — The first Kwanzaa celebrations begin in the United States

  On December 26, 1966, families observed the first day of Kwanzaa — a new African American cultural holiday created by Maulana Karenga. Read the full story →

• 1991 — The Soviet Union is formally dissolved

  On December 26, 1991, the Supreme Soviet voted to end the U.S.S.R. — closing the Cold War's main chapter. Read the full story →

Famous birthdays

Mao Zedong (1893–1976) · Jared Leto (1971) · Lars Ulrich (1963) · Kit Harington (1986)

Days & observances

Kwanzaa (first day) · Boxing Day · National Candy Cane Day · National Thank You Note Day