July 26 Birthday
On July 26, 1948, President Truman signed Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the armed forces. The order stated: "There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race, color, religion, or national origin." The military had been segregated since the Civil War, and Black soldiers in World War II had been relegated to support roles. The order was opposed by military leaders and Southern politicians. Truman implemented it by executive order because Congress would not pass legislation. The armed forces were desegregated within five years. Fidel Castro led 160 fighters in an attack on the Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba on July 26, 1953. The attack failed. Sixty-one attackers were killed, and Castro was captured and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. He was released after two years and fled to Mexico, where he met Che Guevara. The July 26 Movement became the name of Castro's revolutionary organization. The revolution succeeded on January 1, 1959. People born on July 26 fall under the zodiac sign of Leo. The birthstone is Ruby and the birth flower is Larkspur. Historical events on July 26 include 1948: President Truman signs executive order desegregating US armed forces, 1953: Fidel Castro leads failed attack on Moncada Barracks (beginning Cuban Revolution), 1908: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) established. Famous people born on July 26 include Mick Jagger (1943), Kevin Spacey (1959), Sandra Bullock (1964).