On This Day - December 26, 2026

The U.S. Patent Office issued U.S. Patent No. 51741 to James H. Nason Franklin, MA for a coffee percolator.

Beatlemania begins with the release of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and "I Saw Her Standing There" in the United States. Originally, the songs were to be released in conjunction with their Ed Sullivan Show appearance in early 1964, but their success in the United Kingdom led to the early release in the United States.

Maulana Karenga, the chair of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, celebrates the first Kwanzaa.

For the first time, Time Magazines honors a non-human as The Man of the Year. In fact, it's not even a living being. The magazine recognizes the personal computer for its annual award. December 26th Celebrated (and Not So Celebrated) Birthdays