In History, Today on July 26

The European Union and Mercosur reached a historic trade agreement after 20 years of negotiations, creating one of the world's largest free-trade areas.

Facebook experienced the largest single-day market value loss by a company in U.S. stock market history, losing $119 billion in market capitalization.

Hillary Clinton became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major U.S. political party at the Democratic National Convention.

A series of coordinated bomb blasts struck the city of Ahmedabad, causing numerous casualties. The Indian Mujahideen claimed responsibility.

The Space Shuttle Discovery was launched on mission STS-114, marking NASA's first return to flight since the Columbia disaster in 2003.

President George H. W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act into law, prohibiting discrimination based on disability.

Apollo 15 was launched from Cape Kennedy, marking the first mission with a Lunar Roving Vehicle.

The Maldives gained independence from the United Kingdom.

The Syncom 2 satellite was launched by NASA, becoming the world's first geostationary communication satellite.

Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalized the Suez Canal, leading to the Suez Crisis.

The Cuban Revolution began with an attack on the Moncada Barracks by Fidel Castro and his followers, marking the start of a movement that would eventually overthrow the Batista regime.

Eva Perón, First Lady of Argentina, dies of cancer, leading to widespread mourning in Argentina.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman signs The National Security Act of 1947, which creates the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Department of Defense, Air Force, and the National Security Council.

The Potsdam Declaration was issued by the Allies, outlining the terms of surrender for Japan during World War II.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the seizure of all Japanese assets in the United States in response to Japan's expansion in the Pacific.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was established in the United States, initially named the Bureau of Investigation.

France annexes Tahiti, fully establishing its presence in the Society Islands.

Richard Wagner's opera "Parsifal" premieres at the Bayreuth Festival.

The Crittenden Resolution is passed by the U.S. Congress, declaring that the Civil War is being fought to preserve the Union rather than to end slavery.

Liberia declared its independence from the American Colonization Society, becoming the first African republic to proclaim independence.

The Abolition of Slavery Act, the founding legislation for the eventual abolition of slavery in the British Empire, received Royal Assent. This long-awaited move marked the beginning of the end for legal slavery in British territories, though it did not completely free all enslaved people immediately and included plans for 'apprenticeships.'

The Surrey Iron Railway, arguably the world's first public railway, opened in south London, England.

New York ratified the United States Constitution, becoming the 11th state to join the Union.

The Siege of Louisbourg ended with a British victory, which was a pivotal moment in the Seven Years' War, leading to British control over the French fortress.

The first recorded women's cricket match took place in England, marking an early instance of organized women's sports.

Atahualpa, the last Inca Emperor, was executed by Spanish conquistadors led by Francisco Pizarro. This marked a significant turning point in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire.

The Battle of Edgecote Moor takes place during the Wars of the Roses, resulting in a victory for the forces of Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick.

Antipope Nicholas V was enthroned as an antipope against Pope Clement V by the Holy Roman Emperor, Henry VII. Known as Pietro Rainalducci, Nicholas V was a Franciscan friar who became a rival claimant to the papacy during the Avignon Papacy period.

The Battle of Ourique took place, where Portuguese forces led by Afonso I defeated the Almoravid Moors, marking a significant step towards Portuguese independence.

The Battle of Pliska takes place where the Bulgarian forces under Khan Krum defeat the Byzantines led by Emperor Nicephorus I, who was killed in the battle.

The Battle of Siffin took place between the forces of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph of Islam, and Muawiya ibn Abi Sufyan, the governor of Syria. This battle was part of the First Fitna, the first major civil war within the Islamic community.