In History, Today on December 26

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Philippines, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure but resulting in no fatalities.

The United States experienced a significant winter storm that affected the Midwest and Northeast, causing widespread travel disruptions and power outages.

China opened the world's longest high-speed rail route, the Beijing-Guangzhou high-speed railway, stretching over 2,298 kilometers (1,428 miles).

An oil pipeline exploded in Lagos, Nigeria, killing at least 260 people. The explosion was caused by thieves who were attempting to siphon oil from the pipeline.

A massive undersea earthquake with a magnitude of 9.1–9.3 occurred off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, triggering a series of devastating tsunamis that affected 14 countries and resulted in the deaths of approximately 230,000 people.

A 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck the city of Bam in southeastern Iran, causing widespread destruction and resulting in the deaths of over 26,000 people.

A massive earthquake struck the Gujarat region in western India, causing widespread devastation and loss of life.

The Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union formally dissolved the Soviet Union, marking the end of the Cold War.

Time magazine announced its Man of the Year as 'The Computer', marking the first time the award was given to a non-human.

Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, passed away in Kansas City, Missouri.

Cardinal József Mindszenty was arrested in Hungary and accused of treason and espionage.

The German battleship Scharnhorst was sunk by the Royal Navy during the Battle of the North Cape in World War II.

Babe Ruth was sold by the Boston Red Sox to the New York Yankees, a transaction that would become one of the most famous in baseball history.

Marie and Pierre Curie announced the discovery of radium, a significant milestone in the field of radioactivity.

The opera "Hansel and Gretel" by Engelbert Humperdinck premieres in Weimar, Germany, becoming one of the most popular operas in the fairytale genre and endearing itself to audiences worldwide.

The largest mass execution in U.S. history took place when 38 Dakota men were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota, following the Dakota War of 1862.

George V is made the Prince of Wales at the age of 16, preparing him for his future role as the King of the United Kingdom, leading to significant responsibilities and shaping his path towards eventual monarchy.

The Battle of Brazito took place during the Mexican-American War. U.S. troops under Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan defeated a Mexican force near El Paso in present-day New Mexico, contributing to the U.S. military campaign's success in the region.

The Treaty of Pressburg was signed between France and Austria following France's victory at the Battle of Austerlitz. The treaty resulted in significant territorial losses for Austria and marked the end of the War of the Third Coalition.

George Washington led the Continental Army to a pivotal victory against Hessian forces in the Battle of Trenton during the American Revolutionary War.

Italian explorer Christopher Columbus, during his first voyage to the New World, found the settlement known as La Navidad in present-day Haiti, which became the first European colony in the Americas.

The peace treaty known as the Treaty of Zadar was signed, putting an end to the war between Venice and Hungary. This treaty required Venice to restore Dalmatia to Hungary.

Frederick II, later Holy Roman Emperor, is born.

Pope Leo III is elected as the 96th pope of the Catholic Church.

Pope Zosimus dies, leading to a succession crisis in the Catholic Church.