On This Day
What Happened on November 26 in History
8 events that happened on November 26, oldest first. Every entry is written in our own words and links to its source.
The Young Republic and the Civil War Era
1789
Americans observed the first national day of thanksgiving under the Constitution.
President George Washington had proclaimed the holiday in October at the request of Congress. Later presidents issued their own proclamations with varying dates.
Source: archives.gov; obamawhitehouse.archives.gov
The Early 1900s and the World Wars
1941
A Japanese carrier strike force sailed secretly from the Kuril Islands toward Pearl Harbor.
Six aircraft carriers under Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo left their remote northern anchorage under radio silence. They reached a point north of Oahu and launched the attack on December 7.
Source: history.com; nps.gov
1942
The film Casablanca, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, premiered in New York.
Directed by Michael Curtiz, the wartime drama is set in a nightclub in North Africa. It became one of the most beloved films in Hollywood history.
Source: history.com
The Cold War
1950
Chinese troops launched massive counterattacks against UN forces in Korea.
The offensive drove U.S. and South Korean troops back out of North Korea. It ended hopes of a quick victory and turned the war into a long stalemate.
Source: history.com; archive.nytimes.com
The Modern Era
2003
The supersonic Concorde made its final flight, from London to Bristol.
British Airways and Air France had taken their remaining Concordes out of service, with the jets headed for museums. The ceremonial last flight went from London's Heathrow airport to Filton, near Bristol.
Source: history.com
2008
Coordinated terrorist attacks began across Mumbai, India.
Gunmen struck several targets across India's largest city, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus rail station, beginning around 9:40 p.m. The last of the attacks was declared over on the morning of November 29.
Source: pbs.org
2011
NASA launched the Curiosity rover toward Mars.
The Mars Science Laboratory mission set out to learn whether Mars could ever have supported microbial life. Curiosity landed in August 2012.
Source: science.nasa.gov
2018
NASA's InSight lander touched down safely on the surface of Mars.
The spacecraft landed on the plains of Elysium Planitia about six months after launch. Its mission ended in December 2022.
Source: science.nasa.gov