On This Day: May 26

Tornado Talk Summary

Keefeton, OK F4 Tornado – May 26, 1973! This roadside town of approximately 400 people was nearly wiped out by this tornado. 3.6 mile path. 5 were killed, including 4 members of the Dornan family when their pick-up was struck. Total of 25 injuries. Read our full summary here

An entire living room was lifted from the foundation and deposited 20 feet away. The piano was left intact. Photo source: Carter, J. Pat. [Photograph 2012.201.B1215.0536], photograph, May 26, 1973; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc595523/m1/1/: accessed February 15, 2022), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.

SIGTOR Spotlight

Highlighting a Tornado Before 1950
from Significant Tornadoes by Thomas Grazulis!

May 26, 1924: An estimated F3 tornado moved NE from east of Bay Springs, MS to Increase. Grazulis denotes this was a tornado family and that there may have been two or three separate tornadoes. 10 were killed including seven members of one family in the Increase area. 30 were injured.

Twister From The 2000s

On this day in 2001, an F2 tornado moved through 3 miles in the northern part of Fort Wayne, IN. Heavy damage occurred to the Northcrest Mall and to the Papermill Subdivision. Three people were injured. Source. 

A home that was destroyed. Photo via NWS Northern Indiana.

Weather Rewind

Tornado and Other Weather Events From On This Day

On this day in 1917, a tornado family moved for 293 miles through Illinois, and Indiana. It was at one time thought to be one tornado; however, Grazulis classified it as a tornado family, with one of the tornadoes an F4, having a 155-mile track (that too is believed to have been at least four separate tornadoes). The worst damage from the tornado was in the Mattoon/Charleston, IL area. 101 people were killed, and at least 638 people were injured. Source

Destruction in Mattoon, photo via NWS Lincoln.

Pieces of the Past

A Look Back Through The Ages!  On This Day In History! 

Sources:  onthisday.com, thisdayinmusic.com & Britannica

Historical Event

On this day in 1927: Henry Ford and the Ford Motor Company produce the last (and 15th million) Model T Ford / Tin Lizzie. Get more daily events at onthisday.com

Famous Birthday

John Wayne was born May 26, 1907, in Winterset, Iowa. He was a major American motion-picture actor who embodied the image of the strong, taciturn cowboy or soldier and who in many ways personified the idealized American values of his era. He died in 1979. Source:  Britannica

Film & TV

On this day in 1913: US Actors’ Equity Association forms. Get more daily history at onthisday.com

Music Trivia

On this day in 2002: The first episode of At Home With The Osbournes was shown on MTV in the UK. Already becoming a hit in the the US, the show focused on the madman and his family (his wife Sharon, and two of their three children). Oblivious to the camera, they bicker, squabble, curse and hang out backstage at Ozzy shows.  Get into the groove with more music trivia at thisdayinmusic.com

Photo of the Day

On this day in 2008: Severe flooding begins in eastern and southern China that will ultimately cause 148 deaths and force the evacuation of 1.3 million. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

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