July 26, 1953 – Across the pond of the Atlantic there was the annual Tour de France bicycle race. The Tour is a big event in France drawing huge crowds and interest from around the world, as cyclists take on the rigors of a course through multiple-stages that take weeks to complete.
There are 21 stages altogether, each taking a day, with the total extent of the race taking 23 days, including the Bastille Day holiday. In this edition of the cycling marathon, Louison Bobet of France won his first of 3 consecutive Tour general classification events.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network

Forgotten Matches That Deserve a Second Look
Finals or viral moments keep some matches alive. Others fail to take off despite

1972 Los Angeles Lakers: Beating 17 Years of Frustration
From 1949 to 1954, the Minneapolis Lakers won five NBA titles. They reached the

When the Odds Were Wrong: Historic World Series Upsets
Image by Nattapol_Sritongcom on Magnific Baseball history has always had room for the unexpected.

6 Best Online Golf Simulator Retailers: A First-Time Buyer’s Guide for 2026
Putting together a home golf simulator is far more involved than most people expect,

Jim Schmitz: USA Olympic Weightlifting Coach
Born in Ukiah, California, in 1945, Coach Jim Schmitz has been involved in weightlifting

Wilfrid Smith: From the NFL to Global Recognition
You may have heard of him… But then again, it’s likely that you have

Kent McCloughan: The Forgotten Architect of the Bump-and-Run
Land on Kent McCloughan’s page on Pro Football Reference and it’s likely that you’d

Legendary USMNT players with the most World Cup goals
The World Cup heads to America in 2026, returning to North American soil with