August 26th

US President Bill Clinton signs welfare reform into law, representing major shift in welfare policy.

John Paul I became Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He died one month later.

Aviator Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly solo, nonstop across the Atlantic, died.

Namibian War of Independence Begins. The 24-year long rebellion against the South African government began with an attack by the South African Defence Force on the members of the South-West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) at Omugulugwombashe. Namibia gained independence on 21 March 1990. Namibians observe Heroes Day annually on August 26.

British Motor Corporation introduced the Morris Mini-Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis it was only 10 ft long but seated 4 passengers.

First Tennis Match to be Telecast in Color. The Davis Cup match between Australia and the US from the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, was telecast on NBC.

Japanese diplomats board USS Missouri to receive instructions on Japan's surrender at the end of WWII.

The first televised major league baseball game was televised: a double-header between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Catastrophe of Smyrna: known as the Asia Minor Catastrophe to Greeks. The Ottoman army expels Greeks and other non-Turks from Asia Minor. (August 13 OS).

The 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote went into effect.

A massive volcanic eruption on the island of Krakatoa blew up most of the island and resulted in tsunamis that killed over 36,000 people.

Liberia was proclaimed an independent republic.

James Cook Sails off on HMS Endeavour. The British explorer was the first European in recorded history to have visited the eastern shores of Australia. The ship reached Botany Bay in April 1770 and was back on British shores on July 12, 1771.

Battle of Crécy, south of Calais in northern France. Edward III's English longbows defeat Philip VI's army, cannons used for first time in battle