June 26

in History

Rome, Roman EmpireAncient

Agrippa Postumus Was Born

An heir born into imperial tragedy

In Rome, Agrippa Postumus was born -- the youngest son of Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, Augustus's most trusted general, and Julia the Elder, Augustus's only daughter. Born after his father's death (hence 'Postumus'), he grew up as a potential heir to the Roman Empire. But his crude behavior and violent temper led Augustus to disinherit and exile him. He was executed shortly after Augustus's death in 14 AD, one of the first victims of the imperial succession's lethal politics.

12 BC

Stuart Symington Was Born — America's first Secretary of the Air Force

Amherst, Massachusetts, United StatesEarly 20th Century

1901

Stuart Symington Was Born

America's first Secretary of the Air Force

In Amherst, Massachusetts, Stuart Symington was born -- the man who would become the first Secretary of the United States Air Force, guiding the new service through its critical early years during the dawn of the Cold War. He later served as a U.S. Senator from Missouri for twenty-four years, becoming a leading voice on defense and foreign policy. His career spanned the transformation of American military power from propeller-driven bombers to nuclear-armed intercontinental missiles.

1901 AD

Early 20th Century

1950

Douglas DC-4

A Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft (pictured) crashed after departing from Perth, becoming the worst peacetime aviation.

A Douglas DC-4 Skymaster aircraft (pictured) crashed after departing from Perth, becoming the worst peacetime aviation accident in Australia's history.

1950 AD