March 26th celebrates Purple Day as well as Make Up Your Own Holiday Day.
We made it to day 86 of the year and there’s 280 days left in 2024.
But don’t count this day off too quickly, be sure to check out all the events that occurred on March 26 including births, deaths, discoveries and so much more.
Did you know that on this day in 1872, the fire extinguisher was patented by Thomas J. Martin? His invention is still listed in the US Patent Office.
Keep reading for more fun & interesting facts about March 26th in history!
Events
What memorable events happened on March 26 in history? Keep reading to find out!
2024
Baltimore’s iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship.
![OTD in 2024: Baltimore’s iconic Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after being struck by a cargo ship.](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/otd-2024-francis-scott-key-bridge-collapsed-656x394.webp)
Fortunately, the event happened in the early hours of the morning rather than during peak hours. Although Dali, the cargo ship, was only going 9 mph (15 km/hr), its massive weight caused the entire span of the 1.6-mile (2.6-km) long bridge to collapse.
2019
Michelle Obama’s memoir “Becoming” surpassed 10 million copies sold after four months of circulation.
![OTD in 2019: Michelle Obama's memoir "Becoming" surpassed 10 million copies sold after four months of circulation.](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/otd-2019-michelle-obama-memoir-becoming-success-656x394.webp)
2019
A Dutch art investigator recovered Pablo Picasso’s stolen “Buste de Femme” painting. It had been missing for 20 years.
2015
King Richard III of England was reburied at Leicester Cathedral, England.
The remains of Richard III, the last English king killed in battle, were discovered underneath a car park at the former Grey Friars Priory in Leicester in 2012.
2013
Ariana Grande released her first single, “The Way.”
It made it to 6th on BIllboard’s Hot 100 and went Triple Platinum, selling over 3 million copies.
2012
James Cameron dove into the deepest point of the Marianas Trench, Challenger Deep.
Challenger Deep is around 36,300 ft (10,902 meters) deep. Cameron was the second person to reach such depths, and it took 2 hours and 36 minutes to get to the bottom.
1830
The first edition of the Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra, New York.
![OTD in 1830: The first edition of the Book of Mormon was published in Palmyra](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/otd-1830-book-of-mormon-first-edition-published-656x394.webp)
The Book of Mormon is the leading religious text in the Church of the Latter-Day Saints. It was written by Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormon church at the time. There were just 5,000 copies made in the first edition, which the publisher charged Smith $3,000 for.
Famous Births
Is today your birthday? If so, you share this special day with Diana Ross! Check out more famous people born on this day below.
1944
Diana Ross
American
Singer
![Diana Ross](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/otd-diana-ross-110x165.webp)
Age:
80 years old
Born In:
Michigan, USA
1985
Keira Knightley
English
Actress
![Keira Knightley](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/otd-keira-knightley-110x165.webp)
Age:
39 years old
Born In:
England, UK
1881
Guccio Gucci
Italian
Businessman
![Guccio Gucci](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/otd-guccio-gucci-110x165.webp)
Died On:
Jan 2, 1953 (Age 71)
Born In:
Florence, Italy
1972
Leslie Mann
American
Actress
![Leslie Mann](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/otd-leslie-mann-110x165.webp)
Age:
52 years old
Born In:
California, USA
Famous Deaths
Unfortunately, March 26th has also been a day where we’ve had to say some goodbyes over the years…
1770
1827
Ludwig van Beethoven
German
Composer
![Ludwig van Beethoven](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/otd-ludwig-van-beethoven-110x165.webp)
1770
1827
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer born on December 15, 1770. He died on this day in 1827, at age 56 in Vienna, Austria.
Died On:
Mar 26, 1827 (Age 56)
Died In:
Vienna, Austria
Special Holidays
If you’re looking for something to do today, maybe these special holidays might just help to cure your boredom!
![March 26: Purple Day](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/otd-purple-day-320x160.webp)
Purple Day
More than 50 million people around the world live with epilepsy, and for many of them, their life is a constant uphill battle. Purple Day is all about raising awareness for these very people – you can take part by wearing something purple today and donating to your local epilepsy charity!
![March 26: Make Up Your Own Holiday Day](https://www.thefactsite.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/otd-make-up-your-own-holiday-day-320x160.webp)
Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
Open your mind and get your creative juices flowing; it’s Make Up Your Own Holiday Day! Have some fun today by imagining your very own holiday, and try to convince others it’s real. There are so many silly holidays these days; you’d be surprised how many people you can convince!
THe Fact Site’s
Fun Fact Of The Day
Vernor’s Ginger Ale is the oldest soda still being sold. It was created by Detroit pharmacist James Vernor in 1866.
Birthday & Zodiac
People who were born on March 26th share the Aries star sign.
If you are an Aries, just know that it’s a good idea sometimes to slow down. Being supercharged gives you many advantages in life, but take time to play with your energy and find some balance.
For those of you born in March, you have the Aquamarine birthstone. The ancient Greeks and Romans used aquamarine to protect their sailors. They brought the sea-green crystals on board to ensure safe passage to their destinations.
If you were born on this day, you were likely conceived on the week of July 3rd in the previous year.
A baby that is conceived on this day will likely be due around December 17, 2024.