On This Day for 4/26 - Ma Rainey is born, the Chernobyl nuclear accident occurs, and more

Don't miss an issue of On This Day! Simply add [customerservice@eb.com]( to your address book. On This Day April 26 Discover the Fastest Route to Britannica - [EB.com]( Born This Day [Ma Rainey (centre) and her band, 1923.]( [Ma Rainey]( The first great African American professional [blues]( vocalist, [Ma Rainey]( was born this day in 1886 in Georgia and contributed greatly to the evolution and popularity of the blues form in the early 20th century. Who else was born today? Find out with the newest version of [our best-selling software! >>]( On This Day [abandoned classroom after the Chernobyl accident…]( 1986: Chernobyl nuclear accident A devastating [environmental]( catastrophe occurred early this morning in 1986 when an explosion and fire at the [Chernobyl]( nuclear power plant in [Ukraine]( released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere. Explore more key moments in history for just $39.95 [Learn more >>]( [Sign up now]( for our monthly newsletter, showcasing articles hand-picked by our editors! More Events On This Day 2007: [Jack Valenti]( longtime president of the [Motion Picture Association of America]( who created the film-rating system that assigns labels for audience suitability (G, PG, PG-13, R, or NC-17)—died at age 85. 1989: [Lucille Ball]( [Lucille Ball]( longtime comedy star of American television, best remembered for her classic comedy series [I Love Lucy]( in Los Angeles. 1964: [Tanzania]( [United Republic of Tanzania]( was founded with the merger of Tanganyika and [Zanzibar]( [Julius Nyerere]( serving as president. 1937: [a piece of Pablo Picasso's Guernica]( the [Spanish Civil War]( the [Condor Legion]( of the German air force, supporting the Nationalists, bombed the Basque city of [Guernica]( an event memorialized in [Pablo Picasso]( painting [Guernica](. 1865: [John Wilkes Booth.]( days after assassinating U.S. President [Abraham Lincoln]( [John Wilkes Booth]( was killed at a Virginia farm either by a Federal soldier or by his own hand. 1785: [Audubon, detail of a portrait by his sons John and Victor, late 1840s; in the American Museum of …]( James Audubon]( an American ornithologist who became well known for his drawings and paintings of North American birds, was born in Les Cayes, Saint-Domingue, West Indies (now in Haiti). 1768: [Sir Joshua Reynolds, detail of self-portrait, oil on panel, 1780; in the Royal Academy of Arts, …]( prestigious English [Royal Academy of Arts]( led by its first president, [Sir Joshua Reynolds]( hosted its first art opening. 1607: [Jamestown Fort in Virginia (U.S.), 1608.]( first permanent English settlers in North America landed at [Cape Henry]( Chesapeake Bay, and they later formed [Jamestown](. 1478: [Lorenzo de? Medici]( Pazzi family of Florence led an [unsuccessful plot to overthrow]( the ruling [Medici family](. A Great Gift Idea from The Britannica Store [1768 Encyclopaedia Britannica Replica Set]( The handsome three-volume reproduction is so beautifully executed that it's almost indistinguishable from the 1768 original, right down to the natural age spots and watermarks on the pages. A must-have for collectors of history or vintage books, the set lends an unmistakable air of prestige to any home or office. [Get yours today]( Our Best-Selling Software! the world's most trusted and authoritative information for [only $39.95](. Britannica on Facebook a fan]( on Facebook and get updated Britannica content in your news feed! Britannica on Twitter @Britannica]( and enjoy daily tweets relating to the news stories of the day! [Home]( [Advocacy for Animals]( [Newsletters]( [Feedback]( [Help]( Please note that if you do not open or click on any On This Day email during any consecutive 30-day period, we reserve the right to remove your address from the active mailing list. This policy does not apply to RSS feeds. Share: Was this message forwarded to you? [Click here]( and we'll start sending you the On This Day newsletters. This message has been sent to {EMAIL}. To unsubscribe [click here](. To unsubscribe by postal mail, send your request to: Encyclopaedia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle St. - Suite 200 Chicago, IL 60654 US ATTN: Customer Service - On This Day © 2018 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. [Privacy Policy]( — [Help](