April 26^th in history

Encyclopædia Britannica presents people and events from this day in history:

Ma Rainey: Biography of the Day

Ma Rainey

"Well I couldn't say she was a good looking woman, and she was stout, but she was one of the loveliest people I ever worked for or with."

Pianist Thomas A. Dorsey about Ma Rainey

The first great African American professional blues vocalist, Ma Rainey, was born this day in 1886 in Georgia and contributed greatly to the evolution and popularity of the blues form in the early 20th century.

 

Chernobyl nuclear accident: 26 April 1986 - This Day in History

A devastating environmental catastrophe occurred early this morning in 1986 when an explosion and fire at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in Ukraine released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere.

More Events on this day:

1865: Twelve days after assassinating U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth was killed at a Virginia farm either by a Federal soldier or by his own hand.

1768: The prestigious English Royal Academy of Arts, led by its first president, Sir Joshua Reynolds, hosted its first art opening.

1607: The first permanent English settlers in North America landed at Cape Henry, Chesapeake Bay, and they later formed Jamestown.

1478: The Pazzi family of Florence led an unsuccessful plot to overthrow the ruling Medici family.