April 26: Disaster at Chernobyl/Shakespeare Baptized
APRIL 26, 1986 — DISASTER AT CHERNOBYL!
APRIL 26, 1564 — WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE BAPTIZED!
On April 26, 1986, a reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Plant explodes, scattering radioactive material throughout the western USSR and Europe! In other news, US troops shoot and kill Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth and the Luftwaffe bombs Guernica, inspiring the famous painting by Picasso.
William Shakespeare (on the cover) was baptized on April 26, 1564. (In those days, the baptismal date was more important than the birthday.) Actually born on April 26 were bird painter John James Audubon, philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, singers Bobby Rydell and Ma Rainey, comedienne Carol Burnett, and earthquake scientist Charles Richter. Lucille Ball and Count Basie both died on April 26, along with Irene “Granny” Ryan and stripper Gypsy Rose Lee.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, April 26 is sometimes Easter, and it can also be Passover. On April 26, Tanzania celebrates Union Day, eastern Russia observes Old Permic Alphabet Day, and in the US, it’s National Pretzel Day! April’s birthstone is diamond and its birth flowers are daisy and sweet pea. In astrology, April 26’s sign is Taurus (traditional) and Aries (sidereal).
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Look for upcoming titles covering each and every day of the year…because every day is a special day for someone you know!