October 26

This Day in History

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Lead Story
Shootout at the OK Corral, 1881
American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin sets sail for France, 1776
Automotive
"Outlaw" Sammy Swindell is born, 1955
Civil War
Rebel guerilla leader "Bloody Bill" Anderson is killed, 1864
Cold War
Diem declares himself premier of Republic of Vietnam, 1955
Crime
An abused wife gets revenge, 1948
An Ozzy Osbourne fan commits suicide, 1984
Disaster
Hurricane Mitch slams into Central America, 1998
General Interest
Erie Canal opens, 1825
Battle of Leyte Gulf ends, 1944
Infant receives baboon heart, 1984
Hollywood
Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak born, 1946
Literary
Henry James and Edith Wharton begin corresponding, 1900
Music
Whitney Houston earns her first #1 hit with "Saving All My Love For You", 1985
Old West
The Earps shoot it out at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, 1881
Presidential
George W. Bush signs the Patriot Act, 2001
Sports
Buckner lets ground ball roll through his legs, 1986
Vietnam War
Diem wins referendum in South Vietnam, 1955
Fire breaks out on U.S. aircraft carrier, 1966
Big battle begins in Tay Ninh Province, 1968
World War I
Brazil declares war on Germany , 1917
World War II
The United States loses the Hornet, 1942

Vietnam War

Oct 26, 1955:

Diem wins referendum in South Vietnam

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Ngo Dinh Diem defeats Emperor Bao Dai in national referendum. In June 1954, Bao Dai had appointed Diem prime minister. In early 1955, Diem made a move to consolidate his power as the real ruler of Vietnam. Earlier in October, Bao Dai, then in France, tried to dismiss Diem, but Diem effectively ignored the order. Diem then called for an election for the people to choose their leader. Diem closely managed the election and received 98.2 percent of the vote. Using the referendum as justification, Diem proclaimed the Republic of Vietnam with himself as its first president. He also became Prime Minister, defense minister, and supreme commander of the armed forces. The new regime was recognized immediately by France, the United States, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Thailand, and South Korea.

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This Week in History, Oct 26 - Nov 1

Oct 26, 1955
Diem wins referendum in South Vietnam
Oct 26, 1966
Fire breaks out on U.S. aircraft carrier
Oct 26, 1968
Big battle begins in Tay Ninh Province
Oct 27, 1966
Ambassador Harriman sent to explain Manila offer
Oct 27, 1971
Cambodian troops battle Communists north of Phnom Penh
Oct 28, 1962
Khrushchev orders withdrawal of missiles from Cuba
Oct 28, 1964
U.S. officials deny any involvement in bombing of North Vietnam.
Oct 28, 1965
Viet Cong commandos raid U.S. airfields
Oct 29, 1969
Bobby Seale gagged during his trial
Oct 29, 1971
U.S. troop strength reaches five-year low
Oct 30, 1965
Marines repel attack near Da Nang.
Oct 30, 1970
Heavy monsoon rains hit Vietnam
Oct 31, 1968
President Johnson announces bombing halt
Oct 31, 1970
Thieu vows to never accept a coalition government
Nov 01, 1964
Military and political situation in South Vietnam deteriorates
Nov 01, 1968
Two new programs initiated in South Vietnam

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