August 26: Heroes' Day in Namibia; Women's Equality Day in the United StatesEruption of Krakatoa1346 Hundred Years' War: At the Battle of Crcy, English forces established the military supremacy of English longbows over the French combination of crossbows and armoured knights.1883 A massive eruption (pictured) destroyed the island of Krakatoa, Indonesia, ejecting so much volcanic ash that average global temperatures fell by as much as 1.2C (2.2F) over the next year.1955 Pather Panchali, the first film in The Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray, was released and went on to win many Indian and international film awards.1970 Betty Friedan and the National Organization for Women organized the Women's Strike for Equality in New York City, in which 50,000 women protested the continuing lack of gender equality.2015 Two American journalists were murdered on live television while conducting an interview in Moneta, Virginia.Geraldine Ferraro (b.1935)David Hurley (b.1953)Mildred Albert (d.1991)Sven-Gran Eriksson (d.2024)More anniversaries: August 25August 26August 27ArchiveBy emailList of days of the yearAbout