WAY BACK WHEN for Thursday, March 26, 2026
1872 The first practical fire extinguisher was patented by African American inventor Thomas J. Martin. It provided a way to quickly attach a pump to a body of water for extinguishing fires, washing buildings, and sprinkling streets.
1953 Dr. Jonas Salk announced that he had discovered and successfully tested a polio vaccine on adults and children. The first successful vaccine for the dreaded disease. Before it, there were about 15,000 cases of paralysis and 1,900 deaths annually from polio in the U.S.
1997 – Heaven’s Gate Mass Suicides
Though tragic, this event was one of the most bizarre in recent history. 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate religious cult committed suicide in Rancho Santa Fe, California, believing that a UFO would take them to a better place.
Music History:
1969 Marvin Gaye was at No. with ‘I Heard It through the Grapevine’. The song was first recorded by The Miracles and had also been a million seller in 1967 for Gladys Knight and the Pips.
Notable Birthdays today:
Actress Jennifer Grey 66.
Singer Actress Vicki Lawrence is 77
Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler (Steven Tallarico) 78
Singer Diana Ross 82
Thanks to:
Thisdayinmusic.com and Thisdaytrivia.com
