Sept 26 in History

1905 — Albert Einstein publishes the third of his Annus Mirabilis papers, “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies”, introducing the theory of special relativity.

1933 — As gangster Machine Gun Kelly (George Kelly Barnes) — wanted for the kidnapping of Oklahoma City oil tycoon and businessman Charles F Urschel on July 22, from which he and his gang collected a $200,000 ransom — surrenders to the FBI in Memphis, he cries out “Don’t shoot, G-Men, don’t shoot!”. It sparks the popular imagination and “G-Man” becomes synonymous with FBI agents. 1936 — Nomzamo Winifred Zanyiwe Madikizela, activist, politician and second wife of Nelson Mandela (1958-96), is born in Bizana Village, Pondoland.

1943 — Ian Chappell, Australian cricketer (75 Tests, 5,345 runs, 42.42 average; 16 ODIs, 673 runs, 48.07 average), is born in Unley, South Australia.

1943 — Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Kappler, SS commander in Rome, demands 50kg of gold within 36 hours from the Jewish community or face the deportation of 200 people. Jews and non-Jews rally together, contributing jewellery, watches, coins and even cigarette cases. The gold is delivered, but on October 16 the Gestapo round up 1,259 Jews (363 men, 689 women, 207 children), who are deported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Only 16 return. 1948 — Dame Olivia Newton-John, BritishAustralian singer/songwriter and actress, is born in Cambridge, England. Her many hit songs include “You’re the One that I Want” (with John Travolta), “I Honestly Love You” and “Physical”. Her movies include “Grease”, “Xanadu” and “Two of a Kind”.

1950 — The energy and chemical company Sasol is established. Sasol 1, the original coal-to-liquids (CTL) complex, is built 11km south of Vanderbijlpark (where Iscor’s steel works began operating in 1947 and the town was proclaimed in 1949) across the Vaal River in the Free State. The town Sasolburg is established in 1954. Sasol 1 starts producing synthetic fuels and chemicals in 1955. The first eight drums of creosote, the first Sasol product, are dispatched in March.

1959 — Trevor Dodds, Namibian golfer (winner of the Canadian Tour Order of Merit in 1995 and 1996), is born in Windhoek, South West Africa.

1981 — Serena Williams, 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion (Australian Open 7, French Open 3, Wimbledon 7, US Open 6), is born in Saginaw, Michigan. She has also won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with her sister Venus.

1992 — The SA government and the ANC agree on a Record of Understanding. It restarts the negotiation process after the failure of Codesa.