On This Day: What happened on 26 January?
We look back on this day in history and remember the people and events that shaped the world we live in today. Every day is worth remembering.
Here’s a look at what happened on this day, 26 January, throughout history. We remember the news, events, and people that influenced the course of history forever.
ON THIS DAY: 26 JANUARY
1952 | Egyptian King, Farouk, declared Martial Law and dismissed the acting Wafd government due to riots against the British.
1991 | Somali’s president, Mohamed Siad Barre flees to Nigeria after he was removed from power by Somali Rebellion, leading to the Civil War of Somalia.
2005 | Construction of a Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, Cape Town is postponed indefinitely by the Western Cape High Court.
2006 | A fire caused by a cigarette thrown out of a window by a British tourist, Anthony Cooper, breaks out on Table Mountain. He was arrested and charged with culpable homicide and arson.
READ: On this Day: What happened on 25 January?
DEATHS
2016 | Nigerian Inspector-general of police, Sunday Adewusi (79)
2019 | Congolese footballer, Ndaye Mulamba (70)
2020 | South African photographer, Santu Mofokeng (64)
BIRTHDAYS
1974 | South African rugby player, Albert van den Berg
1987 | South African cricketer, Mafinki Serame
1992 | South African sailor, Asenathi Jim
SPORT
2007 | Australian Open women’s doubles final: Cara Black from Zimbabwe & Liezel Huber from South Africa beat Yung-Jan Chan & Chia-Jung Chuang from China 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-1 to win the title.
2009 | 4th ODI, Australia vs South Africa: South Africa won by 8 wickets.
ENTERTAINMENT
2020 | Billie Eilish wins 5 Grammy awards, including album, record and song of the year.
AFRICA FACT
Eight of Conservation International’s 34 biodiversity hotspots are in Africa.