On This Day for May 26 - Martin Luther declared a heretic by the Edict of Worms, Sally Ride is featured, and more

This message contains graphics. If you do not see the graphics, click here to view. May 26 FEATURED BIOGRAPHY Sally Ride READ MORE   FEATURED EVENT 1521 Martin Luther declared a heretic by the Edict of Worms READ MORE   Advertisement Advertisement   MORE EVENTS ON THIS DAY 2008: American director, producer, and actor Sydney Pollack—who helmed a number of popular films, including The Way We Were (1973), Tootsie (1982), and Out of Africa (1985)—died at age 73. [Sort fact from fiction in our film school quiz.] 1971: American screenwriter, actor, and producer Matt Stone—who was best known as cocreator, with Trey Parker , of the subversive animated television series South Park—was born. [How much do you know about pop culture?] 1938: The House Un-American Activities Committee was created, with Martin Dies, Jr., as its chairman; it investigated alleged communist activities, and perhaps its most celebrated case was that of Alger Hiss. [Take our quiz about American history and politics.] 1927: The Ford Motor Company ended production of its famed Model T, which had helped "democratize the automobile." [ Test your knowledge of American industry and innovation.] 1926: Jazz musician Miles Davis, a trumpeter who was one of the major influences on jazz from the late 1940s, was born in Alton, Illinois. [Take our music quiz.] 1897: Irish writer Bram Stoker published the Gothic horror classic Dracula, which became the basis for an entire genre of literature and films about vampires. [ Was Dracula a real person?] SEE ALL EVENTS ON THIS DAY ALSO BORN ON THIS DAY 1907 John Wayne American actor 1926 Miles Davis American musician 1949 Jeremy Corbyn British politician 1975 Lauryn Hill American singer 1867 Mary of Teck queen of Great Britain 1971 Matt Stone American screenwriter, actor, and producer SEE ALL BIOS ON THIS DAY   Advertisement   FOLLOW: To unsubscribe from Britannica e-mails, click here. Encyclopædia Britannica 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 United States © 2021 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. Privacy Policy • Help