1. In 1836, the Battle of San Jacinto took place on April 26th, resulting in the defeat of Mexican forces by the Texian army led by General Sam Houston. This victory secured Texas' independence from Mexico and led to the formation of the Republic of Texas.

2. On April 26, 1937, the New London School explosion occurred in East Texas, resulting in the deaths of over 300 students and teachers. The disaster was caused by a natural gas leak that ignited, devastating the community and leading to significant changes in safety regulations for gas pipelines.

3. In 1941, Texas Military Institute in San Antonio was renamed to become the Texas Military Academy. The school, which later became Texas A&M University, has a rich history in military education and training.

4. On April 26, 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred in Ukraine, which had a significant impact on the global nuclear industry. Many Texans worked in the industry and were affected by the outcome of the disaster.

5. April 26, 1996, marks the opening of the AT&T Center in San Antonio, which serves as the home arena for the NBA's San Antonio Spurs. The center has hosted numerous events, including concerts, professional wrestling events, and the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials for gymnastics.