Alien Day
Alien Day is celebrated annually on April 26th. The date, 4/26, is a direct reference to LV-426, the designation of the moon where the Xenomorphs are first encountered in Ridley Scott’s 1979 film Alien and also heavily featured in its sequel, Aliens. The idea for Alien Day originated with fans. The first “unofficial” Alien Day was reportedly celebrated in Brooklyn, New York, in the spring of 2015. 20th Century Fox (the studio behind the franchise) officially recognized and began promoting the event in 2016.
Pretzel Day
National Pretzel Day was officially declared in 2003 by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. The proclamation aimed to recognize the significant role of the pretzel in the state’s history and economy. Pennsylvania is a major hub for pretzel production in the United States. Some sources also indicate an earlier, similar proclamation in 1983 by U.S. Representative Robert Walker of Pennsylvania. The pretzel itself has a much longer history, with legends tracing its origins back to European monasteries centuries ago, possibly as a reward for children who learned their prayers.
April 26th has witnessed numerous significant events, notable births, and impactful deaths throughout history.
Historical Events
1986 – Chernobyl Disaster: Reactor No. 4 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union (now Ukraine) exploded during a late-night safety test. It remains the worst nuclear power plant accident in history.
1937 – Bombing of Guernica: During the Spanish Civil War, the town of Guernica was bombed by Nazi Germany’s Luftwaffe. The attack inspired Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Guernica.
1994 – South Africa’s First Multiracial Elections Begin: Marking the end of apartheid, this election led to Nelson Mandela becoming the country’s first Black president.
1989 – Deadliest Tornado in Bangladesh: A devastating tornado struck the Manikganj district, killing approximately 1,300 people, one of the deadliest in recorded history.
Famous Birthdays
1785 – John James Audubon: American ornithologist and painter, known for his detailed studies and illustrations of North American birds.
1900 – Charles Richter: American seismologist and physicist who developed the Richter magnitude scale for measuring earthquake strength.
1963 – Jet Li: Chinese martial artist and actor, internationally recognized for his roles in martial arts films.
Notable Deaths
1518 – Gian Galeazzo Sforza: Duke of Milan, whose assassination led to political instability in Renaissance Italy.
1989 – Lucille Ball: Beloved American actress, best known for I Love Lucy, passed away from a ruptured abdominal aorta.
