May 26 in history — What Happened Today in History

The European Community adopts the European flag.

The 7.8 Mw Sea of Japan earthquake shakes northern Honshu with a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe). A destructive tsunami is generated that leaves about 100 people dead.

Italian Prime Minister Arnaldo Forlani and his coalition cabinet resign following a scandal over membership of the pseudo-masonic lodge P2 (Propaganda Due).

An EA-6B Prowler crashes on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, killing 14 crewmen and injuring 45 others.

Cold War: The United States and the Soviet Union sign the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.

Bangladesh Liberation War: The Pakistan Army slaughters at least 71 Hindus in Burunga, Sylhet, Bangladesh.

The Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 becomes the first commercial transport to exceed Mach 2.

Apollo program: Apollo 10 returns to Earth after a successful eight-day test of all the components needed for the forthcoming first crewed Moon landing.

H-dagurinn in Iceland: Traffic changes from driving on the left to driving on the right overnight.

The Beatles' album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is released.

British Guiana gains independence, becoming Guyana.

The U.S. Congress passes Public Law 80-557, which permanently establishes the Civil Air Patrol as an auxiliary of the United States Air Force.

World War II: The Battle of Gazala begins, in present-day Libya.

World War II: Operation Dynamo: In northern France, Allied forces begin a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France. The Battle of Dunkirk begins simultaneously as Allied defenders fight to slow down the German offensive.

World War II: The Siege of Calais ends with the surrender of the British and French garrison.

In the United States, the House Un-American Activities Committee begins its first session.

Walter Reuther and members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) clash with Ford Motor Company security guards at the River Rouge Complex in Dearborn, Michigan, during the Battle of the Overpass.

In the House of Commons of Northern Ireland, Tommy Henderson begins speaking on the Appropriation bill. By the time he sits down in the early hours of the following morning, he had spoken for ten hours.

The last Ford Model T rolls off the assembly line after a production run of 15,007,003 vehicles.

Abd el-Krim ends surrenders to the French, bringing an end to the Rif War.

The first 24 Hours of Le Mans is held in France. Run annually in June thereafter, it became the oldest endurance racing event in the world.

The Democratic Republic of Georgia is established.

The first major commercial oil strike in the Middle East is made at Masjed Soleyman in southwest Persia. The rights to the resource were quickly acquired by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.

Românul de la Pind, the longest-running newspaper by and about Aromanians until World War II, is founded.

Thousand Days' War: The Colombian Conservative Party turns the tide of war in their favor with victory against the Colombian Liberal Party in the Battle of Palonegro.

Nicholas II is crowned as the last Tsar of Imperial Russia.

Charles Dow publishes the first edition of the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan state.

Dani Samuels, Australian discus thrower

Olcay Şahan, Turkish footballer

Michel Tornéus, Swedish long jumper

Monika Christodoulou, Greek singer-songwriter and guitarist

Ashley Vincent, English footballer

Demy de Zeeuw, Dutch footballer

Nathan Merritt, Australian rugby league player

Hasan Kabze, Turkish footballer

Anthony Ervin, American swimmer

Jason Manford, English actor, screenwriter, and television host

Ben Zobrist, American baseball player

Louis-Jean Cormier, Canadian singer and songwriter

Ashley Massaro, American wrestler and model (died 2019)

William R. Roy, American physician, journalist, and politician (born 1926)

Hooshang Seyhoun, Iranian-Canadian architect, sculptor, and painter (born 1920)

Ray Barnhart, American businessman and politician (born 1928)

John Bierwirth, American lawyer and businessman (born 1924)

Roberto Civita, Italian-Brazilian businessman (born 1936)

Tom Lichtenberg, American football player and coach (born 1940)

Otto Muehl, Austrian painter (born 1925)

Jack Vance, American author (born 1916)

Arthur Decabooter, Belgian cyclist (born 1936)

Leo Dillon, American illustrator (born 1933)

Stephen Healey, Welsh captain and footballer (born 1982)

Hiroshi Miyazawa, Japanese politician (born 1921)

Hans Schmidt, Canadian wrestler (born 1925)