What Happened on August 26

Records Desk

1968 — Beatles' 'Hey Jude' Sets Record as Longest No. 1

The single tops the UK charts for a record-breaking run.

LONDON, Aug. 26 — The Beatles have done it again. Their new single, "Hey Jude," has become the longest-running No. 1 in UK chart history, a feat that cements their place atop the pop world. The song, released this month, has held the top spot longer than any previous single, a testament to the band's enduring appeal. "Hey Jude" is also the Beatles' longest-running No. 1 single, surpassing their own previous hits. The success follows the formation of Apple Records and the band's recent ventures. Fans have flocked to stores, snapping up copies of the record.

• The single 'Hey Jude' was the Beatles' longest-running No. 1 single.
• The Hey Jude compilation album was released in the U.S. on 26 February 1970.
• The album sold 3.3 million copies by June 1970 and charted for 33 weeks on the Billboard 200.
• The front and back cover photos were taken at John Lennon's home, Tittenhurst Park, on 22 August 1969.
• The song 'Don't Let Me Down' first appeared on an album in stereo on the North American collection Hey Jude.

Foreign Desk

2008 — Russia Recognizes Abkhazia, South Ossetia; Georgia Cuts Ties

Moscow's move follows ceasefire, sparks diplomatic rupture.

MOSCOW, Aug. 26 — In a swift and decisive move, Russia today recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway regions at the heart of the recent conflict with Georgia. The recognition came shortly after a ceasefire was reached in the Russo-Georgian War, which has displaced approximately 192,000 people across Georgia. Georgia responded immediately by severing diplomatic ties with Russia, a dramatic escalation in the already tense relations between the two nations. The war, which began earlier this month, marked the first time in history that cyber warfare coincided with military action, as hackers targeted Georgian government websites alongside the Russian military offensive.

• On August 26, 2008, Georgia severed diplomatic ties with Russia after Russia recognized Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
• The war displaced approximately 192,000 people across Georgia.
• The Russo-Georgian War was the first war in history in which cyber warfare coincided with military action.

Weather Desk

1940 — New England Hurricane Forms in Atlantic

Tropical disturbance moves west, could threaten East Coast.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 — A well-defined low-pressure area in the open Atlantic today developed into a tropical disturbance that forecasters say could threaten the East Coast. The system, which formed over the ocean, is being closely watched by the Weather Bureau as it moves westward. While the storm has not yet reached hurricane strength, meteorologists warn it could intensify in the coming days.

• The hurricane originated from a well-defined low-pressure area in the open Atlantic on August 26, 1940.
• The storm reached tropical storm strength on August 28 and hurricane intensity on August 30.
• The hurricane passed within 85 miles of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, before recurving northeast.
• Peak intensity was achieved on September 2 as a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds and 961 mbar pressure.
• Record rainfall of 24 inches in Ewan, New Jersey, made the storm the wettest in state history.

Chronicle

1071 — Alp Arslan Captures Byzantine Emperor at Manzikert

Seljuk victory opens Anatolia to Turkoman raids.

MANZIKERT, Aug. 26 — On the plains of eastern Anatolia, the Byzantine emperor Romanos IV Diogenes has been taken prisoner by the Seljuk Sultan Alp Arslan. The Battle of Manzikert, fought today, ended in a decisive Seljuk victory. Alp Arslan, feigning retreat, drew the Byzantine army into an ambush. The emperor's forces were routed, and Romanos himself was captured. This victory opens Anatolia to Turkoman raids and migrations, shifting the region's power.

• The Battle of Manzikert on August 26, 1071, was a decisive victory for the Seljuks over the Byzantine Empire.
• Byzantine Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes led the army that was defeated by Alp Arslan's ambush.
• Alp Arslan withdrew from Manzikert and then ambushed the Byzantines to win the battle.
• The victory opened Anatolia for Turkoman raids and migrations, shifting regional power.
• It took two decades for the Seljuks and allies to control most of the Anatolian peninsula.

Nevada Crime Desk

1980 — Harvey's Bomb Blast Leaves $18 Million in Damage

The 1,200-pound dynamite bomb caused an estimated $18 million in damage but no injuries.

STATELINE, Nev., Aug. 26 — The most complex improvised explosive device the FBI has ever seen tore through Harvey's Resort Hotel today, leaving an estimated $18 million in damage but no injuries or deaths. The 1,200-pound dynamite bomb, planted by men disguised as photocopier deliverers, detonated during an attempted disarmament. Authorities link the blast to John Birges Sr., who reportedly lost $750,000 at the casino.

• On August 26–27, 1980, men disguised as photocopier deliverers planted a 1,200-pound dynamite bomb at Harvey's Resort Hotel in Stateline, Nevada.
• The bomb exploded during an attempted disarmament, causing an estimated $18 million in damage but no injuries or deaths.
• John Birges Sr. was convicted for making the bomb to extort money after losing $750,000 at the casino.
• Birges died in prison in 1996 at age 74.
• Two months prior, a dynamite blast destroyed a bridge in Clovis, believed to be a test run for the hotel bomb.

Chronicles of War

1346 — English Longbows Shatter French Knights at Crécy

Edward III's archers prove decisive in first great battle of the Hundred Years' War.

The age of the armoured knight has met its match. At the Battle of Crécy, English longbows have established their military supremacy over the French combination of crossbows and mounted men-at-arms. Edward III, who landed on Normandy's Cotentin Peninsula in July, captured Caen in a single day and crossed the Somme at Blanchetaque, stranding King Philip's army.

• Edward III landed on Normandy's Cotentin Peninsula at St Vaast in July 1346, beginning the campaign that led to Crécy.
• The English army captured Caen in one day, surprising the French forces under King Philip.
• Edward's army crossed the river Somme at a tidal ford at Blanchetaque, stranding Philip's army.
• The French king Philip allowed his army to attack before it was ready, contributing to the disaster at Crécy.
• King David II of Scotland invaded England as a diversion but was captured at the Battle of Neville's Cross on 17 October 1346.

French Assembly

1789 — Rights of Man Approved by Assembly

Declaration sets forth liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression.

PARIS, Aug. 26 — The Marquis de Lafayette, who drafted the initial text with aid from Thomas Jefferson, saw the National Constituent Assembly approve the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen today. The final draft, largely the work of Abbé Sieyès, was adopted article by article, with the last accepted today as a first step toward a constitution. The document defines natural and imprescriptible rights as liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. Debate began from a 24-article draft proposed by the sixth bureau, led by Jérôme Champion de Cicé.

• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was approved by the National Constituent Assembly on 26 August 1789.
• The declaration was initially drafted by Marquis de Lafayette with assistance from Thomas Jefferson, but the majority of the final draft came from Abbé Sieyès.
• The last article of the declaration was adopted on 26 August 1789 as the first step towards writing a constitution for the Kingdom of France.
• The original version was discussed based on a 24-article draft proposed by the sixth bureau, led by Jérôme Champion de Cicé.
• The declaration defined natural and imprescriptible rights as liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Women's Beat

1970 — 50,000 March in New York for Women's Rights

Friedan leads strike on 50th anniversary of suffrage amendment.

NEW YORK, Aug. 26 — More than 50,000 women marched down Fifth Avenue today in the Women's Strike for Equality, organized by Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women. The protest, marking the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment, demanded equal job and education opportunities, abortion rights, and child-care centers. Friedan, who stepped down as NOW's first president to lead the strike, called the turnout beyond expectations. The national action has broadened the feminist movement.

• Betty Friedan organized the Women's Strike for Equality on August 26, 1970, the 50th anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment.
• The New York City march led by Friedan attracted over 50,000 participants.
• Protesters demanded equal job and education opportunities, abortion rights, and child-care centers.
• The national strike was successful beyond expectations in broadening the feminist movement.
• Friedan stepped down as NOW's first president before organizing the strike.

Virginia Desk

2015 — Two Journalists Shot Dead on Live TV in Virginia

Gunman, a fired reporter, kills himself after police chase.

MONETA, Va., Aug. 26 — Two journalists were murdered on live television Wednesday morning while conducting an interview near Smith Mountain Lake. Alison Parker, 24, and Adam Ward, 27, of WDBJ were shot dead on air.

The gunman, Vester Lee Flanagan, a former WDBJ reporter fired in 2013 for disruptive conduct, fled and sparked a five-hour manhunt. He shot himself in the head during a car chase with police and later died at a hospital.

Interview subject Vicki Gardner survived. She underwent surgery to remove her right kidney and part of her colon.

• Parker, 24, and Ward, 27, were shot dead while conducting a live television interview near Smith Mountain Lake in Moneta, Virginia.
• The gunman was Vester Lee Flanagan, a former WDBJ reporter who had been fired in 2013 for disruptive conduct.
• After a five-hour manhunt, Flanagan shot himself in the head during a car chase with police and later died at a hospital.
• Interview subject Vicki Gardner survived the shooting and underwent surgery to remove her right kidney and part of her colon.

War Desk

1914 — British II Corps Holds Germans at Le Cateau

40,000 troops delay pursuit, enabling main force to escape.

LE CATEAU, Aug. 26 — Amid the retreat from Mons, the British II Corps stood and fought here today, delaying the pursuing Germans long enough for the main force to escape.

General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, commanding 40,000 troops, refused an order from headquarters to continue retreating, confirming his men were already engaged. The French Cavalry Corps under General André Sordet shielded the left flank.

• British II Corps, commanded by General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, fought the delaying action at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914.
• Of the 40,000 British troops at Le Cateau, 7,812 became casualties, including 2,600 taken prisoner.
• Thirty-eight British guns were abandoned, most with breech blocks removed and sights disabled by crews.
• The arrival of the French Cavalry Corps under General André Sordet shielded the British left flank, enabling their escape.
• Smith-Dorrien refused an order from BEF HQ at 07:00 to continue retreating, confirming his men were already fighting.

Science Notes

1883 — Krakatoa Eruption Alters Global Climate

Loudest-known sound heard 4,800 km away as island collapses.

The destruction of Krakatoa has cooled the entire globe; average temperatures may fall as much as 1.2°C (2.2°F) over the next year.

The third explosion, on August 27 at 10:02 a.m., remains the loudest-known sound in history, heard 4,800 km away on Rodrigues, where it was mistaken for cannon fire.

• The third explosion on 27 August at 10:02 a.m. remains the loudest-known sound in history.
• The explosion was heard 4,800 km away on Rodrigues near Mauritius, where it was mistaken for cannon fire.
• At least 36,417 deaths are attributed to the eruption and the tsunamis it created.
• The eruption destroyed over 70% of the island and its surrounding archipelago, collapsing into a caldera.
• The acoustic pressure wave from the explosion circled the globe more than three times.

Film Desk

1955 — Ray's 'Pather Panchali' Opens in Calcutta

First film in Apu Trilogy wins national award after long shoot.

CALCUTTA, Aug. 26 — A new voice in Indian cinema reached the screen today with the release of Satyajit Ray's 'Pather Panchali,' the first film in his Apu Trilogy. Shot over three years amid frequent funding interruptions, the film was made on a budget of roughly ₹150,000. The soundtrack, composed by Ravi Shankar, used classical Indian ragas. The film premiered in New York earlier and has since won India's National Film Award.

• Pather Panchali was shot over three years due to frequent funding interruptions.
• The West Bengal government bought the film for $60,000, which turned into a $700,000 profit by 1980.
• Ravi Shankar composed the film's soundtrack and score using classical Indian ragas.
• The film premiered on 3 May 1955 at New York's Museum of Modern Art before its Calcutta release.
• Pather Panchali won India's National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 1955 and the Best Human Document award at the 1956 Cannes Film Festival.

National Desk

1968 — Humphrey Nominated as Chicago Erupts in Protest

Humphrey wins the Democratic nod on Aug. 26 as anti-war clashes with police mark a fourth day.

CHICAGO, Aug. 26 — Vice President Hubert Humphrey won the Democratic presidential nomination tonight as anti-Vietnam War protesters and police clashed for a fourth day in the streets.

• Anti-war protests erupted at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago amid turmoil inside and outside the hall.
• The convention nominated Vice President Hubert Humphrey during the chaotic protests.
• The protests climaxed a year marked by the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy.
• Widespread anti-Vietnam War demonstrations throughout the United States escalated into the convention protests.
• The convention turmoil proved a significant turning point in the decline of the Democratic Party's broad coalition.