This Day In History, August 26th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on August 26th
Julius Caesar's Roman army invades Britain for the first time in 55 BCE.
1346 CE: During the Hundred Years' War between England and France, the Battle of Crécy takes place, ending in a decisive English victory.
The National Constituent Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a cornerstone text of the French Revolution, in 1789 CE.
1920 CE: The United States Constitution's 19th Amendment, allowing women the right to vote, goes into force.
Pope John Paul I is chosen as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, replacing Pope Paul VI in 1978 CE.
55 BCE: Julius Caesar's Roman army invades Britain for the first time.
Julius Caesar's Roman army crossed the English Channel and landed on the coasts of Britain on August 26th, 55 BCE, kicking off the Roman invasion of Britain. Caesar's initial invasion was a scouting trip with a force of roughly 10,000 soldiers, and he did not return with a bigger force until the following year to undertake a full-scale invasion. The Roman colonization of Britain would endure over four centuries, leaving an indelible mark on the island's culture, language, and history.
1346 CE: The Battle of Crécy takes place during the Hundred Years' War between England and France, resulting in a decisive English victory.
The Battle of Crécy took place on August 26th, 1346, during the Hundred Years' War between England and France. The fight ended in a decisive English victory over a bigger French force, and it was a watershed moment in the war. The English army, headed by King Edward III, deployed new tactics and weaponry against the French cavalry, notably the longbow. The French suffered massive casualties, whilst the English lost little. The English won a huge victory at Crécy, cementing their domination in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War.
1789 CE: The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, a foundational document of the French Revolution, is adopted by the National Constituent Assembly.
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, a crucial text of the French Revolution, was approved by the National Constituent Assembly of France on August 26th, 1789. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was inspired by Enlightenment concepts and sought to establish the values of liberty, equality, and fraternity as the cornerstone of French society. It affirmed all people' natural rights, including freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to a fair trial and the right to possess property. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen served as a model for later human rights declarations and constitutions around the world.
1920 CE: The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, granting women the right to vote, officially takes effect.
The 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution went into effect on August 26th, 1920, allowing women in the United States the right to vote. After decades of effort by suffragettes and other women's rights campaigners, the amendment was adopted earlier that month on August 18th. The 19th Amendment was a watershed moment in the United States' campaign for gender equality and political representation, paving the way for additional advances in women's rights in the decades that followed.
1978 CE: The Pope John Paul I is elected as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, succeeding Pope Paul VI.
Cardinal Albino Luciani was chosen as the 264th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church on August 26, 1978, receiving the name John Paul I. He replaced Pope Paul VI, who died the previous month after 15 years as Pope. John Paul I's pontificate lasted only 33 days before his death on September 28th, 1978. Despite its brief duration, his pontificate was renowned for its emphasis on simplicity, humility, and social justice problems. He was replaced by Pope John Paul II, who went on to become one of history's longest-serving popes.