ON THIS DAY 6 26 2023

This Day in History: June 26

Featured Event

1997




J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (also called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) was first published, in London; the book launched the hugely popular series about a boy wizard.


see all related content

Featured Biography

Babe Didrikson Zaharias
American athlete




Mildred Ella Zaharias, née Mildred Ella Didrikson, (born June 26, 1911, Port Arthur, Texas, U.S.—died September 27, 1956, Galveston, Texas), American sportswoman who was one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century, achieving particular success in basketball and track and field, though she is perhaps best known for her achievements in golf.



Babe Didrikson
Although Didrikson claimed to have been born in 1914, various sources indicate the correct year was 1911. From a young age, her goal was to be “the greatest athlete to ever live.” A standout baseball player, she asserted that, as a teenager, she acquired the nickname “Babe” in reference to Babe Ruth. She later dropped out of high school to pursue a career in sports. From 1930 through 1932, Didrikson was a member of the women’s All-America basketball team. During the same period she also won eight events and tied in a ninth in national championship competition in track and field. In the 1932 Women’s Amateur Athletic Association (AAU), competing as a team by herself, Didrikson won six individual events and the team title, outscoring the 20-women runner-up team from the Illinois Athletic Club 30 points to 22. She became known for her competitiveness and brash confidence.

see all related content