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  1. On this day - 26 February

On this day - 26 February

Historical items of interest as featured in the papers of the day.

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Churchill announces UK's own atomic bomb

Daily Express 26/02/1952

Churchill announced in the House of Commons on February 26th 1952 that the UK now had its own atomic bomb and also had the means to ensure continued production of the devices. He reported that the first test of this weapon would be carried out that year in coordination with the Australian government.

The test later took place in October of 1952 and made the UK the third nuclear power in the world following the Soviet Union and the United States of America.

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Launch of HMHS Britannic

Daily Mirror 26/02/1914
The HMHS Britannic was the younger sister of the HMS Titanic. She was launched on February 26th 1914. Modifications had been made to the design of the ship following the sinking of the Titanic. Originally the plan was for HMHS Britannic to become a transatlantic passenger ship but due to circumstances at the time she became a hospital ship. On November 21st 1916 she hit a German naval mine in the Aegean sea and sunk.

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