December 26

What happened on December 26 in history

5 events fall on December 26, from 1776 to 2004. Read them below, then try to place a historical scene yourself — guess where in the world it happened and in what year.

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Events on December 26

  1. 1776

    The Battle of Trenton

    Washington crosses the Delaware and surprises the Hessian garrison.

    Play the Exploration & revolution round

  2. 1898

    The Curies announce radium

    A paper reports a second new radioactive element in pitchblende.

    Play the 19th century round

  3. 1919

    Babe Ruth is sold to the Yankees

    Boston agrees the deal that will haunt it.

    Play the 20th century round

  4. 1991

    The Soviet Union formally ends

    The Supreme Soviet votes itself and the union out of existence.

    Play the 20th century round

  5. 2004

    The Indian Ocean tsunami

    A magnitude 9.1 quake off Sumatra kills around 230,000 people.