Today in History: May 26, the World War II Dunkirk evacuation begins
In 1775, 250 years ago, the Second Continental Congress resolved to begin preparations for military defense but also sent a petition of reconciliation, the 'Olive Branch Petition,' to King George III. That action took place one day after British generals William Howe, Henry Clinton, and John Burgoyne arrived in Boston with reinforcements for military commander and governor Thomas Gage.
In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed a measure creating the Montana Territory.
In 1869, Boston University is chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge signed the Immigration Act of 1924, which barred immigration from Asia and restricted the total number of immigrants from other parts of the world to 165,000 annually.
In 1927, the Ford Model T officially ended production as Henry Ford and his son Edsel drove the 15 millionth Model T off the Ford assembly line in Highland Park, Mich.
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In 1938, the House Un-American Activities Committee was established by Congress.
In 1940, Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of more than 338,000 Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, began during World War II.
In 1954, an explosion occurred aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bennington off Rhode Island, killing 103 sailors.
In 1967, the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' was released.
In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon and Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev signed the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty in Moscow, following the SALT I negotiations between the US and the Soviet Union. (The US withdrew from the treaty under President George W. Bush in 2002.)
In 1981, 14 people were killed when a Marine jet crashed onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz off Florida.
In 2009, California's Supreme Court upheld the state's Proposition 8 same-sex marriage ban, but said the 18,000 same-sex weddings that had taken place before the prohibition passed were still valid. (Same-sex marriage became legal nationwide in June 2015.)
2009, President Barack Obama nominated federal appeals judge Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court.
In 2011, Ratko Mladić, the brutal Bosnian Serb general suspected of leading the massacre of 8,000 Muslim men and boys in Srebrenica, was arrested after a 16-year manhunt. (Extradited to face trial in The Hague, Netherlands, Mladić was convicted in 2017 on genocide and war crimes charges and is serving a life sentence.)
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Dog Who Endured Trauma and Tragedy Faces Biggest Test Yet: 'Never Give Up'
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Associated Press
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- Associated Press
Nevada Northern Railway Unveils Locomotive 250 in Celebration of America's 250th Anniversary
Locomotive 250 sits proudly in the Nevada Northern Railway railyard, showcasing its newly unveiled paint scheme commemorating the United States' 250th anniversary. The restored diesel locomotive represents a milestone in American railroading history and will operate in this celebratory scheme through 2027. The Nevada Northern Railway Museum in Ely, Nevada, has unveiled Locomotive 250 with a special paint scheme celebrating the United States' 250th anniversary in 2026. Restored by museum staff and volunteers, the locomotive will operate in this scheme through 2027 and feature in the Hands-On History 'Be the Engineer' program, allowing visitors to operate it on a 14-mile round trip. The project was supported by the White Pine County Tourism and Recreation Board and museum members. Ely, Nevada - On July 4th, the Nevada Northern Railway Museum proudly unveiled Locomotive 250, a striking tribute to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States—officially known as the Semiquincentennial—which will be celebrated on July 4, 2026. This date marks 250 years since the Second Continental Congress voted for independence and adopted the Declaration of Independence in 1776. To commemorate this historic milestone, the Museum has transformed its ex-Southern Pacific, ex-BHPSD-9 locomotive with a special patriotic paint scheme honoring America's 250th birthday. The winning design was created by Ryan Boettcher, who was named the Grand Prize Winner of our United States 250th Anniversary Paint Scheme Contest. Congratulations, Ryan! 'Locomotive 250 is more than just a paint job—it's our way of honoring America's story of independence, innovation, and resilience,' said Mark Bassett, President of the Nevada Northern Railway Museum. 'It's also a fun and meaningful way to engage visitors, spark curiosity, and celebrate a major moment in our nation's history through living railroad heritage.' Before unveiling, Locomotive 250 underwent a thorough mechanical and cosmetic restoration. Museum staff and volunteers repaired electrical systems, performed essential maintenance on the prime mover, and prepped the locomotive for daily service. The new paint scheme was applied in-house by AngelaStevens, the Museum's Superintendent, ensuring historical accuracy and durability while capturing the celebratory spirit of the Semiquincentennial. The project not only preserved an important piece of American railroading but brought new life to this workhorse of the diesel era. The restoration was made possible thanks to a generous grant from the White Pine County Tourism and Recreation Board, along with support from the Museum's dedicated members. Locomotive 250 will remain in this commemorative paint scheme through 2027, after which the Museum plans to return her to her original Southern Pacific 'bloody nose' paint scheme and number 4428, as she appeared during her service with BHP Railroad on the Nevada Northern Railway. Beginning in early August, Locomotive 250 will join the Museum's popular Hands-On History Be the Engineer program. This unique program allows members of the public—ages 18 and older—to take the throttle and operate Locomotive 250 on a 14-mile round trip as the engineer! Learn more and reserve your experience at Proceeds from the Be the Engineer program directly support the ongoing preservation and operation of the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark. Located in Ely, Nevada, the Nevada Northern Railway National Historic Landmark is widely recognized as the best-preserved standard gauge railroad in the United States. The Museum features original steam and diesel locomotives, historic railcars, working machine shops, and over 60 original buildings and structures spread across a 56-acre rail yard. Visitors can explore exhibits, take train rides, and step back in time to experience the golden age of American railroading. Ely is just four hours north of Las Vegas and four hours west of Salt Lake City—and when you arrive, be sure to set your watch back a century. Media Contact Company Name: Nevada Northern Railway Museum Contact Person: Mark Bassett, President Email: Send Email Phone: 775-289-0103 Country: United States Website: Press Release Distributed by To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Nevada Northern Railway Unveils Locomotive 250 in Celebration of America's 250th Anniversary
