WEDNESDAY, Aug. 26, 2026

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-The 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

1974-Soyuz 15 carries two cosmonauts to space station Salyut 3

1985-French government denies knowledge of bombing of Greenpeace flagship the Rainbow Warrior in Auckland, New Zealand

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