On This Day - January 1, 2026

Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones publishes the novel Frankenstein: or The Modern Prometheus anonymously. Written by Mary Shelley, the author's identity isn't revealed until three years later when the second edition is published in Paris.

Entrepreneur C.W. Post of Battle Creek, Michigan introduces Postum Food Coffee. The Coffee substitute is made from wheat, bran, and molasses. Three years later he introduces Post Grape-Nuts cereal.

The Hewlett Packard Company is founded in a garage in Palo Alto, CA by Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard.

David Dinkins takes the oath of office becoming New York City's first Black mayor.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) mandated hospitals to include no-smoking policies indoors or risk losing accreditation. Loss of accreditations places hospitals at risk of losing Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.