TUESDAY, Aug. 26, 2025

1346-Battle of Crécy: Edward III's English longbows defeat Philip VI's army south of Calais in northern France, cannons are used for the first time in battle

1682-English astronomer Edmond Halley first observes the comet named after him

1873-First free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri

1937-General Franco's Nationalist troops conquer Santander during the Spanish Civil War

1959-British Motor Corporation introduces the Morris Mini-Minor, designed by Alec Issigonis. It is only 10 feet long yet seats four passengers.

1996-U.S. President Bill Clinton signs welfare reform into law, representing a major shift in welfare policy

1988-Iranian refugee Mehran Karimi Nasseri arrives at Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Roissy-en-France, France, stays for almost 8 years

2008-Russia unilaterally recognizes the independence of the former Georgian breakaway republics of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, prompting the Georgian government to sever diplomatic relations with Russia