April 26 is the 116th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (117th in leap years). There are 249 days remaining in a common year. For calendar and day-count contexts see the day-numbering note: 116th day (117th in leap years) and general calendar system references: Gregorian calendar.

As a seasonal marker, April 26 falls in mid-spring in the Northern Hemisphere and mid-autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. People born on this date are typically under the zodiac sign Taurus. The date is used in historical timelines, anniversary commemorations and by organizations scheduling annual observances.

Notable events

  • 1564 — William Shakespeare is traditionally recorded as being baptized on April 26 in Stratford-upon-Avon; his exact birth date is not documented but is commonly celebrated close to this time.
  • 1937 — The bombing of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War drew international attention to the horrors of aerial bombardment and inspired Pablo Picasso's famous painting.
  • 1986 — The Chernobyl nuclear accident occurred on April 26; the disaster had widespread environmental, health and political consequences and is commemorated internationally.

Births and deaths (selected)

  • 1785 — John James Audubon, naturalist and painter known for studies of American birds (born on April 26).
  • 1963 — Jet Li, Chinese martial artist and film actor, is widely reported to have been born on April 26.
  • 1980 — Channing Tatum, American actor and producer, was born on April 26.

Observances and modern significance

Several international and national observances fall on April 26. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) celebrates World Intellectual Property Day on this date to raise awareness about the role of intellectual property in encouraging innovation and creativity. The date is also used for memorials associated with the Chernobyl accident; in 2016 the United Nations General Assembly recognized the need to remember and study the disaster's consequences.

Because April 26 links diverse themes—from literature and art to industrial technology and international law—it is frequently cited in cultural retrospectives, educational material and anniversary events. Local calendars may add national or regional holidays, and the date remains a standard reference point in chronological summaries and almanacs.