Today in history: Aug. 26
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey spun into Texas, unloading extraordinary amounts of rain, and more events that happened on this day in history.
1944: Charles de Gaulle
In 1944, French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation.
1968: Democratic National Convention
In 1968, the Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago; the four-day event that resulted in the nomination of Hubert H. Humphrey for president was marked by a bloody police crackdown on antiwar protesters in the streets.
1972: Munich Olympics
In 1972, the summer Olympics opened in Munich, West Germany.
1985: Ryan White
In 1985, 13-year-old AIDS patient Ryan White began “attending” classes at Western Middle School in Kokomo, Indiana, via a telephone hook-up at his home -- school officials had barred Ryan from attending classes in person.
2011: Hurricane Irene
Ten years ago: More than 2 million people along the Eastern Seaboard were ordered to move to safer ground as Hurricane Irene approached the coast.
2011: Nigeria
In 2011, a Boko Haram sect member detonated a car loaded with explosives at the United Nations headquarters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja, killing 25 people and wounding more than 100 others.
2015: Alison Parker
In 2015, Alison Parker, a reporter for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke, Virginia, and her cameraman, Adam Ward, were shot to death during a live broadcast by a disgruntled former station employee who fatally shot himself while being pursued by police.
2016: Colin Kaepernick
Five years ago: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick remained seated on the team’s bench rather than standing for the national anthem before the Niners played host to the Green Bay Packers in an exhibition game, saying he believed the United States was oppressing African Americans and other minorities.
2017: Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. beat UFC fighter Conor McGregor in a boxing match in Las Vegas that was stopped by the referee in the 10th round; it was the last fight of Mayweather’s career and earned him an estimated $200 million.
2017: Hurricane Harvey
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey spun into Texas, unloading extraordinary amounts of rain. (The hurricane killed nearly 70 people, damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage.)
2017: Taylor Swift
Spotify said Taylor Swift had set a new global first-day streaming record with more than 8 million same-day streams for Swift’s new single, “Look What You Made Me Do.”
2018: Jacksonville
In 2018, a gunman opened fire on fellow gamers at a video game tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., killing two men and wounding 10 others before taking his own life.
2018: Neil Simon
In 2018, Playwright Neil Simon, whose comedies included “The Odd Couple” and “Barefoot in the Park,” died at the age of 91.
2020: Kyle Rittenhouse
One year ago: Seventeen-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse was arrested in Illinois in the shooting deaths of two people and the wounding of another during a third night of protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, over the police shooting of a Black man, Jacob Blake. (Rittenhouse, who said he was defending himself after the three men attacked him, is awaiting trial on charges including two homicide counts.)
2020: Mike Pence
One year ago: On the third night of their convention, Republicans led by Vice President Mike Pence aggressively defended law enforcement; the convention unfolded amid new protests against racial injustice.
2020: The NBA
One year ago: All three scheduled NBA playoff games were postponed, with players choosing to boycott in their strongest statement yet against racial injustice. (The games resumed three days later, after players and owners agreed to expand initiatives, many tied to increased voting awareness and opportunities.)