These historical events took place on April 26th:
1777: Sybil Ludington aged 16, rides 40 miles in New York to warn her father’s militia of the approach of the British.
1865: Confederate General J E Johnston surrenders remaining forces to Union General William Sherman at Bennett Place in Durham, North Carolina, ending the United States Civil War.
1920: Harlow Shapley and Heber D. Curtis hold “great debate” on the nature of nebulae, galaxies and size of the universe at US National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C.
1952: United States minesweeper Hobson rams aircraft carrier Wasp that kills 176.
1954: Mass trials of Jonas Salk’s anti-polio vaccine begin; the first shot is delivered in Fairfax County, Virginia; more than 443,000 children receive shots over three months.
1968: Students seize administration building at Ohio State.
1970: Stephen Sondheim’s musical “Company”, directed by Hal Prince, opens at Alvin Theater New York City which would run for 705 performances and win 6 Tony Awards.
1982: Rod Stewart is mugged, gunman steals his $50,000 Porsche on Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California
1992: Multiple television shows and theater performances start and stop big time this year. Grand Hotel” closes at Martin Beck Theater NYC after 1,018 performances. “Growing Pains” final episode on ABC TV. “Jelly’s Last Jam” opens at Virginia Theater NYC for 569 performances. “Master Builder” closes at Belasco Theater NYC after 45 performances. “Metro” closes at Minskoff Theater NYC after 13 performances. “Who’s The Boss” final episode after 8 years on ABC TV.