On this day

26 June in history.

5 moments from 1886 to 1997: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

More from 26 June

  1. Portrait of Henri Moissan

    1886

    Fluorine is isolated

    Chemist Henri Moissan isolated the element fluorine, which had defeated others for decades. He later won the Nobel Prize.

    Wikipedia: Henri MoissanWikipedia: Fluorine

    Photo: sv:Generalstabens litografiska anstalt / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. The Science Museum, London, as seen from Exhibition Road

    1909

    The Science Museum

    London's Science Museum became a museum in its own right. Today it welcomes millions of visitors.

    Wikipedia: Science Museum, London

    Photo: Shadowssettle / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

  3. Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice

    1945

    The UN Charter is signed

    Delegates of 50 nations signed the charter of the United Nations in San Francisco.

    Wikipedia: Charter of the United Nations

    Photo: United Nations. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. UPC-A barcode image

    1974

    The first barcode scan

    A pack of chewing gum became the first product sold using a barcode scanner, in a supermarket in Ohio.

    Wikipedia: Universal Product Code

    Photo: toguro / Wikimedia Commons (CC0)

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