What Happened On
Was Punished for Preventing World War III
September 26, 1983
After saving the world, he was reprimanded for not correctly documenting the incident. Stanislav Petrov was the duty officer at a Soviet early-warning system when the system reported that up to six Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missiles had been launched from the United States. This was just three weeks after the Soviet military had shot down Korean Air Lines Flight 007 killing all 269 people aboard, including U.S. Congressman Larry McDonald and many other Americans. Petrov believed it might be a false alarm and disobeyed orders by not reporting the attack to his superiors. He feared that had he reported the attack, his superiors would have launched a retaliatory nuclear attack, leading to an all out nuclear war. Later analysis showed that the detection system had malfunctioned and it was indeed a false alarm. Petrov was reprimanded for not correctly documenting the incident.
Rocky Horror Picture Show
September 26, 1975
The cult classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, starring Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Tim Curry, and Meat Loaf, premieres in the U.S.
Although the film did poorly during its regular theater run, it soon became a cult midnight classic. Schoolteacher Louis Farese, Jr., Theresa Krakauskas, and Amy Lazarus are credited with starting the convention of talking back to the screen, bringing props and making up one-liners. Originally, they were just doing it to amuse each other, not realizing they were starting a long-lasting tradition.
The Brady Bunch
September 26, 1969
The Brady Bunch debuts on ABC.
The series features a married couple with their blended family of three boys, three girls, and a live in housekeeper.
While the show was not a ratings hit or a critical success and didn't win any major awards during its original run, it has since become a popular syndicated staple.
While father Mike Brady was a widower, mother Carol Brady's previous marital status was never revealed during the regular run of the show. Creator Sherwood Schwartz wanted to make her a divorcee, but the network wouldn't allow it. However, in the Brady Bunch movie A Very Brady Sequel, Carol does reveal that her first husband was a professor who was lost on a boat. To which the character Dr. Whitehead, replies, "and my son Gilligan was first mate on that boat."
Abbey Road
September 26, 1969
Abbey Road is released. It was an immediate commercial success, topping record charts in the UK and US. The closing track is aptly The End as this album marked the last time that all four members recorded together. While it was recorded from February to August of 1969, making it the last album the group recorded together, Let It Be, which was recorded previously, wasn't released until 1970 in conjunction with the movie of the same title.
The cover features the Beatles walking across the street's zebra crossing, an image that became one of the most famous and imitated in popular music. It also started rumors that Paul McCartney was dead, as the image was said to depict the Beatles walking out of a cemetery in a funeral procession, led by John Lennon dressed in white as a religious figure; Ringo Starr was dressed in black as the undertaker; George Harrison dressed in denim was the gravedigger; and Paul McCartney is out of step with the others, representing a barefoot corpse; Also, the left-handed McCartney is holding a cigarette in his right hand, indicating that he is an impostor, and the license plate on the Volkswagen parked on the street is 28IF, meaning that McCartney would have been 28 "if" he had lived. These rumors, were of course, false.
Gilligan's Island
September 26, 1964
The show Gilligan's Island about seven castaways debuts on CBS.
Although the pilot was filmed in 1963, because of cast changes, it wasn't aired until 1992. The pilot's cast differed from the series with Kit Smythe as Ginger, John Gabriel as the high school science teacher/professor, and Nancy McCarthy as Bunny (Ginger's co-worker from Kansas that became Mary Ann in the series).
Trivia: The Skipper character's name was Jonas Grumby. What was the Gilligan character's first name? Answer…
More Trivia: In the Brady Bunch movie A Very Brady Sequel, Carol Brady reveals that her first husband was a professor who was lost on a boat. To which the character Dr. Whitehead, replies, "and my son Gilligan was first mate on that boat."
More Trivia: In the opening credits, a U.S. flag is flying at half mast because this scene was filmed shortly after the Kennedy Assassination.
The Beverly Hillbillies
September 26, 1962
The TV show The Beverly Hillbillies, featuring the Clampetts, debuts on CBS. Hated by the critics, it quickly became #1 breaking many records. This was also Donna Douglas' (Elly May) 30th birthday.
First Televised U.S. Presidential Candidate Debate
September 26, 1960
75 million viewers tuned in to watch John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon square off for the first televised U.S. presidential candidate debate. Kennedy's style helped him win the election.
John Dillinger Helps the Pierpont Bunch Break Out of Prison
September 26, 1933
The Pierpont Bunch, soon to be known as John Dillinger's gang, breaks out of prison. Dillinger had bribed authorities and smuggled guns in for them. Dillinger was himself in prison at the time. The escapees would soon break Dillinger out of prison.
Ten Days in a Mad-House
September 26, 1887
Nellie Bly begins her undercover investigation of the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island. She had herself committed for 10 days as a patient in order to witness the conditions and treatment of the mentally ill. Her subsequent reporting and book Ten Days in a Mad-House describing the inhumane conditions and treatment of the women led to significant reforms in the treatment of the mentally ill. Quote: "What, excepting torture, would produce insanity quicker than this treatment?"
Segway Disaster
September 26, 2010
Jimi Heselden, the British entrepreneur who had just bought the Segway company, backs off a cliff while riding an off road version of the Segway.
Iraq War
September 26, 2002
When asked, "Are there linkages between al Qaeda and Iraq, and where are they?" Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld replied, "The deputy director of Central Intelligence briefed on that subject. I have no desire to go beyond saying the answer is yes."
First Person to Go Over Niagara Falls In a Barrel Twice
September 26, 1993
John David Munday makes the 176-foot drop for the second time; he had also done it in 1985.
NC-17
September 26, 1990
The new rating NC17 (No Children), to apply to adult films, is announced by the Motion Picture Association of America. The first film to receive the NC-17 rating was Henry & June (1990).
Dan Quayle
September 26, 1990
U.S. Vice-President Dan Quayle states, "I support efforts to limit the terms of members of Congress, especially members of the House and members of the Senate."
Cop Rock
September 26, 1990
Cop Rock debuts on ABC, featuring not only singing cops, but singing murderers, crack dealers, and juries.
First Non-U.S. Yacht to Win the America's Cup
September 26, 1983
The Australia II defeats the U.S. yacht Liberty four races to three.
Alligator
September 26, 1975
The alligator is removed from the endangered species list in parts of Louisiana. They were reclassified in certain parts of Louisiana from endangered to threatened because of recovery of their populations.
U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
September 26, 1961
U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency is established.
West Side Story
September 26, 1957
West Side Story, the musical about the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, opens. Music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, written by Arthur Laurents.
The Adventures of Robin Hood
September 26, 1955
The Adventures of Robin Hood debuts on CBS.
The Federal Trade Commission
September 26, 1914
The The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is established by the U.S. Congress.
First U.S. Postmaster General
September 26, 1789
The first U.S. postmaster general is appointed, Samuel Osgood.
First Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
September 26, 1789
The first chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court is confirmed, John Jay. Jay had served as the 6th president of the Continental Congress (1778-79).
Sir Francis Drake - Circumnavigation of the Globe
September 26, 1580
The English navigator Sir Francis Drake arrives in England after completing his voyage. He had begun in December of 1577.
Birthdays
Amityville Horror
Ronald "Butch" DeFeo, Jr.
Born September 26, 1951 d. 2021
American murderer. He was convicted of the 1974 killings of his father, mother, two brothers, and two sisters in their home at 112 Ocean Avenue. George and Kathleen Lutz purchased the house the following year. The Lutz's claims of paranormal happenings in the house were the basis for The Amityville Horror (1977) book and subsequent movies.
Donna Douglas (Doris Ione Smith)
Born September 26, 1932 d. 2015
American actress, Miss New Orleans (1957). TV: The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-71, Elly May), The Twilight Zone (1960, The Eye of the Beholder). Film: Frankie and Johnny (1966, starring opposite Elvis Presley). The TV show The Beverly Hillbillies debuted on her 30th birthday.
Jack LaLanne (Francois Henri Jack LaLanne)
Born September 26, 1914 d. 2011
American fitness expert. He opened the first U.S. fitness club (1936), invented the jumping jack, designed the first leg extension machines, and pulley machines using cables. His first dog on the show was named Happy, who was later replaced by a dog named Walter which stood for "We All Love To Exercise Regularly".
TV: The Jack LaLanne Show (1951-85, the first television exercise program).
Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman)
Born September 26, 1774 d. 1845
American folk hero. He devoted his life to planting apple seeds. It is said that his usual dress consisted of bare feet, a burlap sack for a shirt, and a tin pan hat.
Kalina
Born September 26, 1985 d. 2010
Killer whale. Kalina was the first killer whale born in captivity to survive. She was born at Sea World Orlando, Florida and billed as "Baby Shamu".
Rob Moroso
Born September 26, 1968 d. 1990
American race car driver, NASCAR 1990 Rookie of the Year (awarded posthumously). He died in a car crash near his home in North Carolina. He was doing 75 mph (121 km/h) in a 35 mph (56 km/h) curve with a blood alcohol level of 0.22. The accident killed himself and the driver of the oncoming vehicle.
Melissa Sue Anderson
Born September 26, 1962
American Emmy-winning actress. TV: Little House on the Prairie (Mary Ingalls).
Linda Hamilton
Born September 26, 1956
American actress. TV: Beauty and the Beast (1987-90, Catherine). Film: The Terminator films.
Olivia Newton-John
Born September 26, 1948 d. 2022
British-Australian Grammy-winning singer, actress. She has sold more than 100 million records. Music: Let Me Be There (1973) and Have You Never Been Mellow (1975). Film: Grease (1978) and Xanadu (1980).
Lynn Anderson
Born September 26, 1947 d. 2015
American Grammy-winning country singer. Music: I Never Promised You a Rose Garden (1971).
Patrick O'Neal
Born September 26, 1927 d. 1994
American actor of TV and film.
Julie London (Julie Peck)
Born September 26, 1926 d. 2000
American singer, actress. TV: Emergency! (1972, nurse Dixie McCall). Music: Cry Me a River (1955).
Barbara Britton
Born September 26, 1919 d. 1980
American actress. TV: Mr. and Mrs. North (Pamela North).
Bill France, Sr. (William Henry Getty France)
Born September 26, 1909 d. 1992
American stock-car racing pioneer. France founded NASCAR (1948) and built Daytona International Speedway (1959) and the Talladega Superspeedway (1969).
Albert Anastasia
Born September 26, 1902 d. 1957
American gangster and hit-man. A founder of both the American Mafia and "Murder Incorporated". He was boss of what would become the modern Gambino crime family. He was killed by two gunmen while sitting in a barber's chair in a New York barber shop.
George Gershwin (Jacob Gershvin)
Born September 26, 1898 d. 1937
American Pulitzer-winning composer. Along with his brother Ira Gershwin. Music: Rhapsody in Blue (1923) and Of Thee I Sing (1931).
Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini)
Born September 26, 1897 d. 1978
262nd Pope (1963-78). He was the first pope to fly in an airplane, the first to visit Jesus' birthplace, and the first to visit the U.S. In 1968, he issued an encyclical banning all forms of artificial birth control.
George Raft
Born September 26, 1895 d. 1980
American actor. Film: Scarface (1932, Guido Rinaldo). He was reputed to be the world's fastest Charleston dancer.
Clinton Stevenson "Praying Benny" Benedict
Born September 26, 1892 d. 1976
Canadian Hall of Fame hockey goalie. He was the first NHL goalie to wear a face mask (1929). He was the first goalie to drop to his knees to stop the puck along the ice, earning him the name "Praying Benny." Dropping to the ice was illegal at the time, causing the NHL to make it first rule change: legalizing this move.
T.S. Eliot (Thomas Stearns Eliot)
Born September 26, 1888 d. 1965
American Nobel-winning poet, playwright.
Edmund Gwenn
Born September 26, 1877 d. 1959
English Oscar-winning actor. Film: Miracle on 34th Street (1947, Oscar as Kris Kringle) and The Trouble with Harry (1955).
Deaths
Paul Newman
Died September 26, 2008 b. 1925
American Oscar-winning actor, philanthropist. Film: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958), The Hustler (1961), and The Sting (1973).
Tokyo Rose
Iva Ikuko Toguri D'Aquino
Died September 26, 2006 b. 1916
American propaganda broadcaster for the Japanese. She was the most famous of the women referred to as "Tokyo Rose" during World War II.
Born in the U.S. to Japanese immigrants, she was visiting Japan when the Japanese struck Pearl Harbor. Unable to return the U.S., she began hosting the radio show Zero Hour broadcasting propaganda and entertainment to U.S. troops. During this time, she used part of her earnings to buy and smuggle food to Allied POWs, as she had also done before she began broadcasting. Convicted of treason for her broadcasts (1949), she served six years in prison. She was pardoned by U.S. President Gerald Ford in 1977 after is was discovered that witnesses against her had been coerced into lying under oath.
Helen Kane (Helen Schroeder)
Died September 26, 1966 b. 1904
American actress, singer. Max Fleischer based his cartoon character Betty Boop on her and Clara Bow. Kane developed her "Boop-boop-a-doop" scat singing style after seeing black child performer Baby Esther (Esther Jones) singing scat style at the Cotton Club in Harlem. Baby Esther was about nine years old at the time.
Broadway: Good Boy (1929, giving her famous squeaky-voiced "Boop-boop-a-doop" rendition of I Wanna Be Loved by You).
Inventor of Wheaties
George Cormack
Died September 26, 1953 b. 1870
American inventor of Wheaties cereal (1921). Originally called "Washburn's Gold Medal Whole Wheat Flakes," the name "Wheaties" was chosen by a company-wide naming contest. They were invented after a clinician working for the Washburn Crosby Company (later General Mills) accidentally spilled wheat gruel onto a hot stove, transforming it into wheat flakes. Cormack, the head miller, developed the process to make the flakes strong enough to withstand packaging.
Future U.S. President Ronald Reagan was doing play-by-play recreations of Chicago Cubs baseball games and in 1937 was selected as the most popular Wheaties announcer in the nation. He was awarded a trip to California, where he took a screen test and began his movie career.
Those Who Cannot Remember the Past are Condemned to Repeat It
George Santayana (Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás)
Died September 26, 1952 b. 1863
Spanish-American poet. Quote: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Writings: The Realms of Being (1928-40).
The Story of Dr. Dolittle (1920)
The Story of Dr. Dolittle (1920)
Creator of Doctor Doolittle
Hugh John Lofting
Died September 26, 1947 b. 1886
English-born American children's author, illustrator. Writings: The Story of Dr. Dolittle (1920) and its 10 sequels.
Maker of Blue Jeans
Levi Strauss (Löb Strauß)
Died September 26, 1902 b. 1829
Bavarian-born American businessman. Jacob Davis, one of Strauss' customers, was one of the inventors of riveted denim pants. He and Levi went into business together (1873) to produce blue jeans.
Daniel Boone
Died September 26, 1820 b. 1734
American pioneer, Indian fighter. Boone explored what is now Kentucky, where he founded Boonesborough, Kentucky, one of the first American settlements west of the Appalachians. More than 200,000 Americans migrated to Kentucky/Virginia by following the route marked by Boone.
Quote: "I can't say as ever I was lost, but I was bewildered once for three days."
Jimi Heselden (James William Heselden)
Died September 26, 2010 b. 1948
British entrepreneur. In 2010, he bought Segway Inc. maker of the Segway personal transport system. He died later that year after backing off a cliff while riding an off road version of the Segway.
Byron Nelson (John Byron Nelson, Jr.)
Died September 26, 2006 b. 1912
American golfer. He won a record 11 consecutive tournaments tournaments in 1945. This feat is chronicled in the book Byron Nelson: The Most Remarkable Year in the History of Golf.
Robert Palmer
Died September 26, 2003 b. 1949
British singer. Music: Addicted To Love (1986).
Richard Mulligan
Died September 26, 2000 b. 1932
American Emmy-winning actor. TV: Soap (Bert Campbell) and Empty Nest (Dr. Weston).
Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia
Died September 26, 1994 b. 1907
Grandson of Germany's last emperor, third in line to the throne. Worked as a mechanic in a Detroit Ford automobile plant (1929-34) and opposed Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
Charles J. Correll
Died September 26, 1972 b. 1890
American comedian. Radio: Amos 'n' Andy (1928-60, Andy). Amos 'n' Andy was the first U.S. syndicated radio program. It featured Correll and Freeman Gosden, both white actors, portraying black characters.
Gus Edson
Died September 26, 1966 b. 1901
American cartoonist. Creator of Dondi (1955) and took over The Gumps when its creator, Sidney Smith, died in 1935.
Charles Erwin Wilson
Died September 26, 1961 b. 1890
American engineer, president of General Motors (1941-53), designed the motor for the first electric automobile starter, and as U.S. Secretary of Defense (1953-57) stated, "…what was good for the country was good for General Motors and vice versa."
Bessie Smith
Died September 26, 1937 b. 1894
American blues singer, the most successful blues singer of the 1920s and '30s. After her death from a car accident, it was rumored that she died because white hospitals wouldn't admit her. However, later interviews with the ambulance driver and attending physician dispelled these rumors. The rumors were started by a record executive, probably to increase sales of her records. Source biography: Bessie
John Byrom
Died September 26, 1763 b. 1692
English poet. Writings: Three Black Crows and Fig and Sutton. He invented and published (1767) a system of shorthand titled The Universal English Shorthand.