On this day: December 26
The Dakota 38
The execution of the Dakota 38 on December 26, 1862, is a somber and pivotal chapter in American history. It remains the largest mass execution ever conducted by the United States government.
The Exorcist premieres
Released on December 26, 1973, The Exorcist didn't just scare audiences—it traumatized them. Directed by William Friedkin and based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, it became the first horror film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.
Winter quake flattens parts of Iran, tolls reported in the tens of thousands
A powerful earthquake struck Iran on December 26, causing widespread destruction to towns and villages and prompting a large-scale emergency response; official death tolls are reported in the tens of thousands but remain provisional as search-and-rescue continues.
The Soviet Union Dissolves, Ending Its Superpower Era
On December 26, 1991, the Supreme Soviet voted to dissolve the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, marking the end of the USSR as a geopolitical superpower and formalizing the independence of its constituent republics.
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami kills hundreds of thousands across coastal nations
On December 26, 2004, a magnitude ~9.1–9.3 undersea earthquake off Sumatra triggered massive tsunami waves that struck coasts around the Indian Ocean, killing an estimated 230,000–280,000 people and displacing millions in several countries.
Massive earthquake devastates Iran, leaving tens of thousands dead
A powerful earthquake struck northern Iran on December 26, 2003, causing widespread collapse of buildings and catastrophic loss of life. Rescue and relief efforts faced severe challenges amid cold winter conditions and damaged infrastructure.
