Today in History—August 26: Teenager Invents Purple: Quick Facts

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August 26, 1856: How the search for a malaria drug changed fashion

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aniline dye August synthetic dye Tyrian purple Today in History—August 2: The Lincoln Penny Is Introduced Today in History—August 11: America’s Escape-Proof Prison Opens Today in History—August 19: Roman Teenager Becomes Political Royalty Today in History—August 23: The End of the Battle of Mobile Bay Today in History—August 3: Columbus Sets Sail Today in History—August 16: The First Official Transatlantic Telegraph Today in History—August 9: Betty’s First Boop Today in History—August 17: The Start of the Klondike Gold Rush Today in History—August 6: Francis II Dissolves the Holy Roman Empire Today in History—August 13: Big Mama Thornton Records “Hound Dog”