Today in History for 26th February 2026

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Historical Events

1929 - US President Calvin Coolidge establishes Grand Teton National Park
1941 - Cowboys' Amateur Association of America organized (California)
1954 - First typesetting machine (photo engraving) used in Quincy, Massachusetts
2013 - A rocket launched from the Gaza strip into Israel ends the ceasefire since November 2012
2025 - First death from measles in the US occurs in Texas in a decade, and the first child to die in 22 years amid an outbreak affecting 124 people

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Famous Birthdays

1939 - Josephine Tewson, British actress (Keeping Up Appearances; Last Of The Summer Wine, 2003-10), born in Hampstead, England (d. 2022)
1945 - Peter Brock, Australian auto racer (3 x Australian Touring Car C'ship; 9 x Bathurst 500/1000; 9 x Sandown Endurance), born in Melbourne, Australia (d. 2006)
1950 - Billy Steinberg, American lyricist and songwriter (with Tom Kelly - "Like A Virgin"; "True Colors"; "I Touch Myself"), born in Palm Springs, California (d. 2026)
1957 - David Muldrow Beasley, American politician, born in Darlington, South Carolina
1959 - Rolando Blackman, American basketball guard (NBA All-Star 1985, 86, 87, 90; Dallas Mavs, NY Knicks; Italian Cup MVP 1996 Olimpia Milano), born in Panama City, Panama

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Famous Deaths

1802 - Esek Hopkins, American Revolutionary War admiral and Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy, dies at 83
1933 - Princess Thyra, Danish princess, daughter of Christian IX of Denmark, dies at 79
1960 - Aleksandar Belic, Serbian linguist, dies at 83
2008 - Glory Mukwati, Zimbabwean politician
2023 - Fred Shabel, American basketball coach (Connecticut Huskies 1963-67) and executive (AD University of Pennsylvania 1967-75; Comcast Spectacor), dies at 90

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