Johnny Appleseed was born on September 26, 1774 in Leominster, Massachusetts. It is believed that Johnny Appleseed planted his first apple tree nurseries in northwestern Pennsylvania before moving on to Ohio. The variety of apples that he planted (by seed and not by grafting) were smaller, tart apples best used for making ciders. His real name was John Chapman. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Photo from an episode titled “The Slumber Party” of The Brady Bunch from September 1970. Nearly a year earlier on September 26, 1969 The Brady Bunch debuted on network television. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Launch of the U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Bright at the Western Pipe and Steel Company in Los Angeles, California on September 26, 1943. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The cover of The Saturday Evening Post from September 26, 1908. Art by N.C. Wyeth. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The Meuse-Argonne campaign began on September 26, 1918 and continued for 47 days until the November 11 armistice ended the First World War. 1.2 million US troops were involved in the fighting and 26,277 made the ultimate sacrifice. Here a 37 mm gun provides cover for advancing doughboys. Image from NARA via Wikimedia Commons, public domain in the US

On September 26th, 1789 the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment of Thomas Jefferson as the first Secretary of State. He was appointed by George Washington. Jefferson didn’t discover that he was appointed until two months later. Image via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

The Beverly Hillbillies TV show was released on September 26, 1962. Image Max Baer Jr. with gun and in doorway from top Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas and Irene Ryan via Alamy

American composer George Gershwin was born on September 26, 1898 in Brooklyn, New York. Famous works include “Rhapsody in Blue,” “Summertime,” and “An American in Paris.” Image: Gershwin in the 1920s via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

September 26, 1960: The first televised debate between presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon was conducted in Chicago. Images via Wikimedia Commons, public domain

Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert running down the street in this photo on the cover of the program for the original Broadway production of West Side Story. West Side Story debuted on Broadway on September 26, 1957. In real life, “Maria” was the middle name of Carol Lawrence who played the role of “Maria” in the musical. Image NYPL Digital Collections, public domain

Born September 26, 1865 Colonel Archibald Butt was military aide, advisor, and confidant to Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. After four years of hard work organizing and scheduling at the White House Butt took a European vacation. He was returning aboard the RMS Titanic and did not survive its sinking. Image from LOC via Wikimedia Commons, no know copyright, public domain in the US.