Q. David Bowers
The Year 1926 in History
Coolidge was in the White House, and prosperity was evident throughout most of the land. The "Roaring Twenties" era was in full swing. The Army Air Corps was established on July 2, 1926. Later, it would become known as the United States Air Force.
A hurricane hit Florida and neighboring states on September 18, killing 372 people and causing widespread damage'. Rear Admiral Richard Byrd and Floyd Bennett made the; first successful flight over the North Pole on May 9, 1926. Robert H. Goddard successfully launched the world's first liquid-fueled rocket on a farm near Auburn, Massachusetts on March 16. Several airlines were founded, including Varney Airlines, Western Air Express Company (later Trans World Airlines), and Northwest Airways Company (later Northwest Airlines). Automobile safety glass was manufactured, but was initially very expensive at $9 per square foot. The Ford Motor Company introduced the 40-hour work week, hoping to restrict overproduction and help solve its business problems. The B.F. Goodrich Rubber Company developed a synthetic rubber.
Jack Dempsey lost the world heavyweight boxing title to James Joseph "Gene" Tunney on September 23. The Paramount Theatre opened in New York City in the 39-story Paramount Building on Times Square, and featured a four manual, 36-rank Wurlitzer theatre organ. Books published in 1926 included William Faulkner's Soldier's Pay and Carl Sandburg's Abraham Lincoln and The Prairie Years. For children, A.A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh and Watty Piper's The Little Engine That Could were published; Songs popular in 1926 were Bye Bye Blackbird, If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight, Charmaine, Muskrat Ramble, and When Day Is Done. The Book-of-the-Month Club was established.
Josef Stalin named himself dictator of Russia in 1926, beginning a 27-year reign of terror over Russian citizens and their neighbors. French citizens hoarded gold in response to the franc being pegged at 20% of its pre-war value in. an attempt to solve the country's currency problems. The process somewhat stabilized the currency but untold financial assets were wiped out.
On the commemorative coinage scene, half dollars and $2.50 gold coins were produced for the Sesquicentennial Exposition held in Philadelphia, and the Oregon Trail half dollar series commenced (and would extend until 1939).