Tomb Treasures, Sweet Tunes, and First Flights!
November 26th! This day is packed with surprises, from peering into a 3,000-year-old pharaoh's tomb to the birth of rock and roll royalty! Get ready to jump through history, from ancient kings to modern marvels, all on one amazing date.
Imagine the gasp when Howard Carter first saw King Tut's treasure in 1922—it was like finding the ultimate time capsule! That same day, the world was getting ready for a different kind of celebration, as George Washington set aside the first official National Thanksgiving Day centuries earlier. Talk about a day of gratitude!
What Happened on This Day
First Official US Thanksgiving Proclaimed
Way back in 1789, President George Washington declared November 26th a day for the entire United States to give thanks! He wanted everyone to pause and be grateful for the new Constitution finally being adopted. Think of it as the original, nationwide 'thankful Thursday,' even if it wasn't always celebrated on the same day later on! It kicked off a tradition of national gratitude.
King Tut's Tomb Door Finally Opened!
After years of searching, archaeologist Howard Carter finally peeked inside the tomb of the famous boy-king, Tutankhamun! He held up a candle and gasped at the sight of glittering gold and ancient treasures untouched for over 3,000 years. It was like finding the ultimate lost treasure chest, changing everything we knew about ancient Egypt forever!
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The National Hockey League is Born
Forget the wild west, this day was about a new game on ice! In Montreal, Canada, five teams gathered to form the National Hockey League (NHL). It replaced an older league and quickly became the place for the best ice hockey players in the world. This was the starting whistle for the legendary league we still cheer for today!
France Zooms into Space with Astérix
While the USA and the USSR were having a Space Race, France launched its very own satellite! Named Astérix (after the famous comic book hero), this little satellite made France the third country to successfully put an object into Earth's orbit. It wasn't as famous as Sputnik or Explorer, but it showed France was ready for space adventures!
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Casablanca Movie Premieres to the World
The movie line 'Here's looking at you, kid' comes from this day! The classic film *Casablanca*, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, premiered in New York City. Set during World War II, this story of love, sacrifice, and secret codes in a faraway city became an instant hit. It's one of the most famous movies ever made!
Fun Facts About November 26
- The very first lion ever seen in America was put on display in Boston on November 26, 1716!
- In 1867, an inventor patented the refrigerated train car—a super-cool idea for moving food!
- George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving proclamation was mostly about giving thanks for the new Constitution.
- The NHL was created in 1917, replacing an older league called the National Hockey Association.
A Look Back in Time
November 26 falls near the end of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, a time historically linked to harvest festivals and gratitude, just like the first US Thanksgiving proclamation. In 1789, the USA was a brand-new republic finding its feet. By 1922, the world was still recovering from WWI but was fascinated by ancient history, making the discovery of Tut's tomb a massive media event. Later in the century, November 26 saw both big steps in technology (France in space) and culture (the premiere of *Casablanca*).
Born on This Day
Tina Turner
The 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll'! Tina Turner had one of the most powerful voices and amazing dance moves in music history. She overcame tough times to become a global superstar with hits like 'What's Love Got to Do with It.'
Charles M. Schulz
This super-smart cartoonist created the beloved *Peanuts* comic strip. He gave us Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the whole gang! He showed the world that even simple, thoughtful stories about kids could be hugely popular.
Willis Carrier
Willis Carrier was the brilliant inventor we can thank for modern air conditioning! He created the first system to control humidity and temperature in a factory, which changed how we live and work indoors forever.
Sojourner Truth
An incredible abolitionist and women's rights activist who was born into slavery. She traveled the country giving powerful speeches, including the famous 'Ain't I a Woman?' speech, fighting for freedom and equality for everyone.
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