26 Aug 1498
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history
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RELIGIOUS
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In Rome, Italian artist Michelangelo, 23, was commissioned by Pope Alexander VI to carve the "Pieta" Mary lamenting over the dead body of Jesus, whom she holds across her lap). The work was completed in 1501.
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26 Aug 1832
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history
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RELIGIOUS
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Death of Adam Clarke, 70, English Methodist clergyman. Clarke's name endures primarily for the 8-volume commentary on the Bible which he produced between 1810-26, and still in print today!
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26 Aug 1901
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history
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RELIGIOUS
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The New Testament of the ASV (American Standard Version) Bible was first published. This U.S. edition of the 1881 English Revised Version (ERV) comprised the first major American Bible translation since the King James Version of 1611.
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26 Aug 1914
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history
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WW2
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The British II Corps (Lieutenant General Horace Smith-Dorrien) consisting of the 3rd and 5th Divisions plus elements of 4th Division turned at bay at La Cateau and after a sharp battle forced the German advance to pause.
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26 Aug 1914
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history
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WW1
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Begin of Battle of Le Cateau
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26 Aug 1914
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history
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WW1
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Begin of Battle of Tannenberg
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26 Aug 1917
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history
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WW2
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Friedrich Ruge was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class medal.
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26 Aug 1922
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history
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WW2
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The French dreadnought Paris was lost when she foundered after hitting a rock in Quiberon Bay southeast of Lorient, France.
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26 Aug 1926
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history
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WW2
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Wang Zhi arrived at Seattle, Washington, United States aboard the passenger ship President McKinley.
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26 Aug 1927
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history
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WW2
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Marshal Count Hisaichi Terauchi was named the chief of staff of the Japanese Chosen Army in occupied Korea.
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26 Aug 1932
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history
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WW2
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Ninghai arrived at Shanghai, China.
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26 Aug 1932
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history
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WW2
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Joseph Goebbels arrived in Berlin, Germany.
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26 Aug 1937
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history
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WW2
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Japanese aircraft sank Chinese vessel Jiaori.
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26 Aug 1937
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history
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WW2
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Japanese aircraft attacked a vehicle carrying the ambassador of United Kingdom during an air raid on Shanghai, China.
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26 Aug 1937
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history
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WW2
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A second rifle company of two officers and 102 enlisted men arrived in Shanghai, China from Cavite, Philippine Islands to reinforce the US 4th Marine Regiment; the first company of identical strength had arrived 7 days prior.
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26 Aug 1938
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history
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WW2
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Adolf Hitler toured the Westwall defenses in western Germany.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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Benito Mussolini sent Adolf Hitler a message noting that Italy would offer political and economic aid if Germany chose to go to war with Poland, but Italy was in no position to offer military assistance.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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Some German units ordered to lead the invasion of Poland, originally planned for this date, did not receive the message that the invasion had been postponed in the previous evening and crossed the borders, attacking Polish defenses with rifles, machine guns, and grenades; they would be withdrawn back into Germany within hours. Because Poland had experienced so much German provocation in the past few days, Polish leadership brushed off the attacks as another series of provocation, despite having reports that the attacks wore regular uniforms. In the late afternoon, Adolf Hitler set the new invasion date at 1 Sep 1939.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier sent a message to German leader Adolf Hitler, noting that while France desired peace, it would fight for Poland should it be invaded.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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German ambassadors in Belgium and the Netherlands informed each of the two countries that Germany was friendly to them during the current political tensions.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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A Japanese attack failed to break the Soviet envelopment at Nomonhan, Mongolia Area, China.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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German Navy ordered all German merchant ships to sail for the nearest German port.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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The German Foreign Minister, Joachim von Ribbentrop, handed the British Ambassador, Sir Neville Henderson, a list of terms that would allegedly ensure peace. These terms stipulated that Danzig would be returned to Germany, there would be a plebiscite in the Polish Corridor based on 1919 residency and there would also be an exchange of minority populations between Poland and Germany. The British thought these were fair demands and so the Polish Ambassador Józef Lipski went to see Ribbentrop, but was thrown out when he revealed that he did not have the power to sign the agreement. Germany then announced that Poland had refused its fair demands.
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26 Aug 1939
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history
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WW2
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70% of Britain's Air Defences forces were now deployed, which effectively meant that 900 guns and 3,000 searchlights were ready for action.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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Chad declared war on Germany and Italy.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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Italian submarine Dandolo sank British steamer Ilvington Court, killing 8.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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German torpedo bombers attacked two British ships 10 miles east of Kinnaird Head, Scotland; Remuera would sink and Cape York would remained afloat until the next day. Both crews survived.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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German armed merchant cruiser Pinguin's seaplane attacked Norwegian tanker Filefjell off Madagascar at 1748 hours. Pinguin soon arrived to capture the ship which was carrying 10,000 tons of gasoline and 500 tons of oil.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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The British RAF bombed Leipzig, Leuna, Hanover, Nordhausen in Germany as well as Turin and Milan in Italy.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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Adolf Hitler ordered the transfer of 10 infantry divisions and 2 armored divisions from France to Poland. To avoid Soviet suspicion, he made plans to make this transfer appear as if these fresher troops were coming in to relieve older men who were going to be released back into the work force.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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The American-Canadian Permanent Joint Board on Defense convened in Ottawa, Canada. The American attendees were Fiorello H. LaGuardia (President, U.S. Conference of Mayors), Lieutenant General Stanley D. Embick (US Army commander of the Fourth Corps Area), Captain Harry W. Hill, and Commander Forrest P. Sherman (US Navy War Plans Division), Lieutenant Colonel Joseph T. McNarney, and John D. Hickerson (Assistant Chief of Division of European Affairs of the US Department of State).
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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Ireland lodged a protest in Berlin, Germany after bombs were dropped over Wexford, Ireland.
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26 Aug 1940
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history
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WW2
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With clear weather, the Germans launched three major raids. At 1200 hours, 150 aircraft flew over the Strait of Dover from Calais in France; No. 616 Squadron's Spitfire fighters of RAF Kenley and No. 264 Squadron's Defiant fighters were attacked and devastated by escorting German Bf 109 fighters; the German bombers split up after reaching Britain and bombed RAF Biggin Hill, RAF Kenley, and various towns in Kent. At 1500 hours, 170 German aircraft flew up the Thames estuary, but most were turned back by British fighters; 6 Do 17 bombers made it through the fighter defense and bombed RAF Debden, causing heavy damage. At 1600 hours, 55 German bombers of KG55 escorted by about 100 fighters attacked Portsmouth, but the group was repulsed by 5 No. 11 Group and 3 No. 10 Group squadrons. In total, the RAF lost 28 fighters and the Luftwaffe lost 22 bombers and 24 fighters. While the machine losses were heavy for both sides, the RAF only lost 6 airmen, while most of the downed German crews were killed or captured.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Soviet forces in Velikije Luki were surrounded and destroyed by the German Armeegruppe Nord.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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A combined force of Canadian, British, and Norwegian commandos landed on Spitzbergen. The coal-mining installations and equipment there were destroyed and the Norwegian civilian populace was evacuated.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Otto Skorzeny was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class medal for recovering a damaged vehicle under enemy fire at the bridgehead in Yelnya, Russia.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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German submarine U-571 seriously damaged Soviet submarine supply ship Marija Uljanova with two torpedoes 27 miles north of Teriberskij lighthouse in northern Russia in the Barents Sea at 0459 hours; Marija Uljanova would be written off as a loss on the next day.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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British troops captured Abadan, Iran, along with the oil-related installations there. Far to the north, Soviet troops captured Tabriz while aircraft bombed Tehran.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Wing Commander David Lascelles, a cousin of the British Royal family, was killed leading a daylight anti-shipping strike. Lascelles was No. 82 Squadron's seventh commanding officer in eleven months and the third to be killed.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Paul Collete was arrested after shooting and wounding Pierre Laval; Laval would recommend giving Collete a light sentence, citing that the young man was likely only a pawn used by more senior plotters behind the scenes.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Paul von Kleist was mentioned in the Wehrmachtbericht daily radio report.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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German Type IXC U-Boat U-505 was a commissioned at Hamburg, Germany with Kapitänleutnant Axel-Olaf Loewe in command.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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The Hungarian Army rounded up 18,000 Jews at Kamenets-Podolsk, Ukraine.
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26 Aug 1941
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history
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WW2
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Adolf Hilter and Benito Mussolini inspected Axis troops at Uman, Ukraine.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Junichi Sasai passed away.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Sawfish was commissioned into service.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Oberstleutnant Benno Kosch stepped down as the commanding officer of the German Kampfgeschwader 55 wing.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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German submarine U-162 sank Norwegian tanker Thelma 60 miles east of Barbados at 0423 hours; 2 were killed, 31 survived. German submarine U-130 sank British ship Beechwood 160 miles south of Freetown, British West Africa at 1124 hours; 1 was killed, 43 survived (the captain was taken prisoner).
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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German submarine U-375 damaged British ship Empire Kumari with a torpedo 14 miles west of Gaza, Palestine at 1840 hours; 3 were killed, 89 survived; Empire Kumari was towed to Haifa, Palestine.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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USS Haddock sank Japanese freighter Teishun Maru 85 miles north of Taiwan at 0813 hours.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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USS S-31 departed Dutch Harbor, US Territory of Alaska for her fourth war patrol.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Japanese Special Naval Landing Force troops that had landed at Waga Waga, Australian Papua late on the previous day began making contact with positions held by troops of Australian 25th Infantry Militia Battalion and 61st Infantry Militia Battalion. Behind them, Allied aircraft discovered the Waga Waga landing site and destroyed landing barges and other equipment. Japanese warships entered Milne Bay for support. Inland, 2,500 Japanese troops marched onto the Kokoda Track from Buna, along with a mountain gun and several mortars.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Destroyer Yuzuki departed Truk, Caroline Islands for Ocean and Nauru Islands area.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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7,000 Jews were arrested in Vichy France.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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The official General Order No. 1 establishing Ramgarh Training Center in India was issued, although courses had already began on 3 Aug 1942.
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26 Aug 1942
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history
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WW2
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Soviet submarine K-2 became missing in the Barents Sea, probably lost to a German naval mine near Tanafjord, Norway.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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USS Tunny attacked two Japanese transports with five torpedoes near Toagel Mlungui Pass in the Palau Islands at mid-morning. The subsequent depth charge attack caused a fire in the maneuvering room, causing a momentary loss of power and later causing the submarine to dive uncontrollably. In the early evening she surfaced for repairs, which would last for two days.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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The minesweeper USS Arcade was transferred to the Soviet Union under the Lend-Lease Act.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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Maximilian von Weichs was made the commanding officer of German Armeegruppe F with headquarters in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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Otto Skorzeny arrived at La Maddalena, Italy via E-boats. Later that day, he learned that Mussolini had just been transported away.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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USS Whale attacked a Japanese destroyer south of Japan; all 4 torpedoes missed.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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The French Committee of National Liberation headed by General de Gaulle, which was based in Britain, was recognised by Britain, the United States and Russia.
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26 Aug 1943
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history
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WW2
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The keel of submarine Charr was laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, United States.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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Hitler ordered his troops to withdraw from Greece.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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French troops captured Tarascon and Avignon, France.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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USS Becuna crossed the International Date Line, sailing westward.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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The Bulgarian Fatherland Front began an armed rebellion against the Bulgarian government; it declared Bulgaria to be neutral in the Axis war against the Soviet Union.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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A German air raid on Paris, France destroyed several residential neighborhoods. To the east, Allied troops crossed the Seine River.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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Dwight Eisenhower traveled to Omar Bradley's headquarters in France and invited him to visit the recently captured Paris, France with him on the following day.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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Light carrier Ryuho arrived at Hashirajima, Japan and was transferred from Carrier Division 1 to Carrier Division 4 within the 3rd Fleet.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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German forces led by Lieutenant General Reiner Stahel attacked Bucharest, Romania.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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The US 17th Airborne Division arrived in Britain where it was placed under XVIII Airborne Corps. The Division however would not be sent to France until late in Dec 1944.
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26 Aug 1944
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history
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WW2
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USS Sterlet arrived at Midway, ending her first war patrol.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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Former Allied prisoners of war in mainland China were air-dropped supplies.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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Soviet forces occupied the Kurile Islands north of Japan and took the first of what would become 63,000 prisoners of war.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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Vice Admiral Sadayoshi Yamada was named the commanding officer of the Japanese Navy 3rd Air Fleet, with Captain Chihaya Takahashi as his chief of staff.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Air Group 52 arrived. Air Group 13 departed.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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I-400 dumped all of her ammunition and Seiran aircraft overboard according to orders.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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I-401 dumped all of her ammunition and Seiran aircraft overboard according to orders.
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26 Aug 1945
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history
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WW2
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The Shirakawa Prisoners of War Camp in southern Taiwan was closed.
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26 Aug 1946
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history
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WW2
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Pensacola was decommissioned from service.
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26 Aug 1956
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history
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RELIGIOUS
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Swedish Christian statesman Dag Hammarskjald recorded in his devotional journal (Markings): 'Bless your uneasiness as a sign that there is still life in you.'
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26 Aug 1978
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history
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RELIGIOUS
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Italian Cardinal Albino Luciani, 65, was elevated to the papacy as John Paul I. His unexpected death only 34 days later left a profound sadness for millions of people who had been drawn to him by his warm personality.
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