This Day In History, July 26th.
Five Historical Events That Happened on July 26th
In Medina, Saudi Arabia, the first Fitna, or Muslim civil war, breaks out.
The Second Continental Congress establishes the United States Postal Service in 1775, with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.
Liberia declares independence from the American Colonization Society in 1847, becoming the first African country to do so.
Fidel Castro conducts a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba, which is widely seen as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution.
President George H. W. Bush signs the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law.
657 - The first Fitna, or Muslim civil war, breaks out in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
The First Fitna was a civil war among Muslims that occurred in 657 AD, following the killing of the third Caliph, Uthman ibn Affan. The struggle began in Medina, where the Prophet Muhammad founded the first Muslim community, and lasted around three years. The battle was essentially a fight for dominance between two factions of Muslims: those who backed Ali ibn Abi Talib, the Prophet's cousin and son-in-law, and those who opposed him. Many notable Muslim leaders were killed in the struggle, which had long-term ramifications for the growth of Islam.
1775 - The United States Postal Service is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General.
The Second Continental Congress founded the United States Postal Service on July 26, 1775, and selected Benjamin Franklin as the first Postmaster General. The USPS was established to enable communication among colonies and to aid in the Patriot effort during the American Revolution. Franklin strove to enhance the postal system by developing additional routes, speeding up mail delivery, and expanding the number of post offices. The USPS has evolved over time, serving an important role in American communication and trade. It is still an important aspect of the US government today, acting as an autonomous executive branch agency.
1847 - Liberia declares its independence from the American Colonization Society and becomes the first African republic to proclaim its sovereignty.
Liberia gained independence from the American Colonization Society on July 26, 1847, becoming the first African country to do so. The American Colonization Society was a body that pushed for the resettlement of free African Americans and freed slaves in Africa, and in the early nineteenth century, Liberia was formed as a colony for this reason. The colony was formed on the notion of repatriating enslaved Africans and allowing them to start a fresh life in their home land. The colony grew into a state through time, and it proclaimed independence in 1847. Liberia, which means "land of the free," was given the name, and its flag was based after the American flag. The proclamation of independence was a watershed point in African history since it represented the first time an African nation gained independence from a colonial force.
1953 - Fidel Castro leads an unsuccessful attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba, which would later be considered the start of the Cuban Revolution.
Fidel Castro launched a failed attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba on July 26, 1953, which many regard to be the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. The raid was an attempt to topple Cuban dictator General Fulgencio Batista's authority. Despite its failure, the attack galvanized support for the revolutionary cause and helped begin Castro's political career. After the attack, Castro proclaimed in a famous speech that "history will absolve me," and he went on to lead the victorious Cuban Revolution in 1959, which led in the foundation of a communist government in Cuba. In Cuba, the Moncada Barracks attack is currently commemorated as National Revolution Day.
1990 - The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is signed into law by President George H. W. Bush, prohibiting discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life.
President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law on July 26, 1990. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a seminal piece of civil rights legislation that forbids discrimination against people with disabilities in all aspects of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations. Employers are required to offer reasonable adjustments for employees with impairments, and all new public buildings must be accessible to individuals with disabilities. The ADA has had a significant influence on the lives of millions of Americans with disabilities, ensuring that they have equal access to American society's opportunities and advantages.