On this day

26 January in history.

5 moments from 1905 to 1962: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

John Logie Baird in 1917

1926

Television is shown to the world. In his London workshop, inventor John Logie Baird gave the first public demonstration of television, showing moving images of human faces to an invited audience.

Wikipedia: John Logie Baird

Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

More from 26 January

  1. The rough Cullinan diamond

    1905

    The Cullinan Diamond is found

    At a mine in South Africa, workers found the Cullinan Diamond, at 3,106 carats the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.

    Wikipedia: Cullinan Diamond

    Photo: Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Harlem, Manhattan, New York City

    1934

    The Apollo Theater opens

    A theatre in Harlem reopened as the Apollo, which grew into one of the most important stages in America for Black performers.

    Wikipedia: Apollo TheaterWikipedia: Harlem

    Photo: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

  3. Hale Telescope dome, Palomar Observatory

    1949

    The Hale Telescope sees first light

    Astronomers at Palomar Observatory in California turned the new Hale Telescope to the sky for the first time. No bigger telescope of its kind would be built for 28 years.

    Wikipedia: Hale TelescopeWikipedia: Palomar Observatory

    Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel ( www.mikepeel.net ). / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  4. Ranger 3

    1962

    Ranger 3 aims for the Moon

    NASA launched Ranger 3 to study the Moon. It missed its target by about 35,000 kilometres.

    Wikipedia: Ranger 3Wikipedia: Ranger program

    Photo: NASA/JPL-Caltech / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Moments chosen for discovery, creativity and courage. Each one links to a source where you can read more; photos are credited to their owners.