On This Day

Al Jolson is born

Al Jolson entertainer, known for american entertainer, was born on 1886-05-26. Al Jolson June 9, 1886 (N.S.) – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian.

Al Jolson entertainer, known for american entertainer, was born on 1886-05-26. Al Jolson June 9, 1886 (N.S.) – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. Self-billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer", Jolson was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1910s and 1920s.

Historical Significance

Al Jolson is American entertainer.

Key People

Al Jolson

entertainer

American entertainer

Events Before

  1. King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as his personal colonial possession

    From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.

  2. Mark Twain publishes "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the US

    Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a picaresque novel by American author Mark Twain that was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885.

  3. Berlin Conference gives Congo to Belgium and Nigeria to the United Kingdom

    From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.

  4. W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "The Mikado" premieres in London at the Savoy Theatre

    The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J.

  5. American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New Yo

    American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New York City, becoming Edith Wharton; divorce in 1913

Events After

  1. Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala Teatro in Milan, Italy, Verdi's first new opera for over 15 years

    Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala Teatro in Milan, Italy, Verdi's first new opera for over 15 years

  2. Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old blind-deaf Helen Keller

    Anne Sullivan begins teaching 6-year-old blind-deaf Helen Keller

  3. Business magnate Andrew Carnegie (51) weds Louise Whitfield (30) in NYC, New York

    Business magnate Andrew Carnegie (51) weds Louise Whitfield (30) in NYC, New York

  4. "Europe's first motoring competition" is 'won' by The Marquis de Dion on a steam-powered quadricycle built by French toy

    "Europe's first motoring competition" is 'won' by The Marquis de Dion on a steam-powered quadricycle built by French toymaker and engineer Georges Bouton; French newspaper Le Velocipede organized the 'test', and Bouton was the only participant

  5. Yellow River or Huáng Hé floods in China, killing between 900,000 and 2 million people, one of the deadliest natural dis

    Yellow River or Huáng Hé floods in China, killing between 900,000 and 2 million people, one of the deadliest natural disasters in history

More from the 1880s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on May 26, 1886?
Al Jolson entertainer, known for american entertainer, was born on 1886-05-26. Al Jolson June 9, 1886 (N.S.) – October 23, 1950) was an American singer, comedian, actor, and vaudevillian. Self-billed as "The World's Greatest Entertainer", Jolson was one of the United States' most famous and highest-paid stars of the 1910s and 1920s.
Why is Al Jolson is born significant?
Al Jolson is American entertainer.
Who was involved in Al Jolson is born?
Key figures include Al Jolson (entertainer).

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