On this day

26 September in history.

5 moments from 1580 to 2008: discovery, creativity and courage, each with a source to read more.

5 moments

Australia II as seen in the WA Maritime Museum

1983

Australia II wins the America's Cup. Australia II beat the American defender, ending the longest winning streak in sport: 132 years.

Wikipedia: Australia II

Photo: CTBOLT / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

More from 26 September

  1. Francis Drake

    1580

    Drake comes home

    Francis Drake sailed the Golden Hind into Plymouth, completing the second voyage around the world.

    Wikipedia: Francis Drake

    Photo: Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  2. Albert Einstein

    1905

    Einstein's special relativity

    Albert Einstein published his paper on special relativity, changing our ideas of space and time.

    Wikipedia: Special relativityWikipedia: Annus mirabilis papers

    Photo: Oren Jack Turner / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  3. Rationing in the United Kingdom

    1953

    Sweets are back

    Sugar rationing ended in Britain, 14 years after it began.

    Wikipedia: Rationing in the United Kingdom

    Photo: United States Office of War Information, Overseas Picture Division / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

  4. Yves Rossy

    2008

    A man with jet wings

    Yves Rossy flew across the English Channel with a jet-powered wing strapped to his back.

    Wikipedia: Yves Rossy

    Photo: Rama / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0 fr)

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