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    On This Day in Tech History

    Stories Published September 26 Throughout History

    Historic Tech Events

    Space Shuttle STS 79 (Atlantis 17), Lands

    Space Shuttle STS 79 (Atlantis 17), Lands
    1996

    The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on September 16, 1996, for STS-79, its 17th mission, which was to dock with the Mir space station in Russia. The crew carried out several experiments and delivered supplies to Mir over the course of the eight-day mission. The mission was completed on September 26, 1996, when Atlantis touched down safely at Florida's Kennedy Space Center. An important step forward in global cooperation in space exploration was made possible by the successful docking and supply transfer.

    The Three-dollar Coins and Gold Dollar Abolished

    The Three-dollar Coins and Gold Dollar Abolished
    1890

    In 1890, on September 26th, the Mint at Philadelphia was stuck with over $153,000 worth of three-dollar pieces that nobody wanted to use. The unpopularity of the coin led Congress to abolish it, along with the gold dollar, the same year. Despite the Mint's attempts to dispose of the coins, they remained on hand, a reminder of the difficulties that can arise when a currency fails to gain widespread acceptance.

    The Concorde Supersonic Speed Record

    The Concorde Supersonic Speed Record
    1973

    On September 26, 1973, the Concorde made its first non-stop Atlantic crossing from Washington D.C. to Paris, France. The supersonic aircraft set a new speed record, flying at an average speed of 1,152 miles per hour and cutting the old record in half. The flight took 3 hours and 32 minutes and marked a significant achievement in aviation history, showcasing the potential of supersonic travel.

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