Box-office #1
The Empire Strikes Back
1980 · dir. Irvin Kershner
Wide US release on May 23, 1980. Goes on to become the highest-grossing film of the year.
Sci-fiStar Wars $538M worldwide
On this day
April 18 Saturday, April 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 18 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
8
Holidays
UK history 1230 years ago
King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada. The patrician Osbald is crowned, but abdicates within 27 days.
King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by his ealdormen, leading to Osbald's brief 27-day reign before abdication.
History
What happened on April 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 796UK history
King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by a group led by his ealdormen, Ealdred and Wada. The patrician Osbald is crowned, but abdicates within 27 days.
King Æthelred I of Northumbria is murdered in Corbridge by his ealdormen, leading to Osbald's brief 27-day reign before abdication.
- 1428European history
Peace of Ferrara between Republic of Venice, Duchy of Milan, Republic of Florence and House of Gonzaga: ending of the second campaign of the Wars in Lombardy fought until the Treaty of Lodi in 1454, which will then guarantee the conditions for the development of the Italian Renaissance.
The Peace of Ferrara ends conflict between Venice, Milan, Florence, and Gonzaga, setting the stage for the Italian Renaissance.
- 1518European history
Bona Sforza is crowned as queen consort of Poland.
Bona Sforza is crowned queen consort of Poland.
- 1521Religion
Trial of Martin Luther begins its second day during the assembly of the Diet of Worms. He refuses to recant his teachings despite the risk of excommunication.
Martin Luther refuses to recant his teachings before the Diet of Worms, facing the threat of excommunication.
- 1689US history
Bostonians rise up in rebellion against Sir Edmund Andros.
Boston residents protest against Governor Sir Edmund Andros, marking a significant act of colonial resistance.
- 1775US history
American Revolution: The British Army advances up the Charles River in Massachusetts to destroy supplies of American militias, while Paul Revere and other riders rapidly warn the countryside.
Paul Revere and others warn the countryside as the British Army moves up the Charles River to seize American militia supplies.
- 1783US history
Three-Fifths Compromise: The first instance of black slaves in the United States of America being counted as three-fifths of persons (for the purpose of taxation), in a resolution of the Congress of the Confederation. This was later adopted in the 1787 Constitution.
The Congress of the Confederation adopts a resolution counting enslaved people as three-fifths of persons for taxation purposes, a formula later incorporated into the Constitution.
- 1897War
The Greco-Turkish War is declared between Greece and the Ottoman Empire.
Greece declares war on the Ottoman Empire over control of Crete, beginning a brief conflict that would end in Greek defeat within a month.
- 1899UK history
The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association is granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria.
The St. Andrew's Ambulance Association receives a royal charter from Queen Victoria.
- 1938Pop culture
Superman debuts in Action Comics #1 (cover dated June 1938).
Superman makes his debut in Action Comics #1, marking the beginning of a cultural icon.
- 1947War
The Operation Big Bang, the largest non-nuclear man-made explosion to that time, destroys bunkers and military installations on the North Sea island of Heligoland, Germany.
A massive explosion levels German bunkers and military sites on Heligoland, marking the largest non-nuclear man-made blast to that time.
- 2019Politics
A redacted version of the Mueller report is released to the United States Congress and the public.
The Mueller report's redacted version is released to Congress and the public.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 18
7 this date All birthdays
Dhondo Keshav Karve
Indian educator and activist, Bharat Ratna Awardee
Dhondo Keshav Karve, the Indian social reformer who pioneered women's education and founded India's first women's university, was born in 1858.
Born
1858
Died
1962
Karl Philipp
Prince of Schwarzenberg
1771 – 1820
Franz von Suppé
Austrian composer and conductor
1819 – 1895
Robert Christgau
American journalist and critic
b. 1942 · 84
Derrick Brooks
American football player
b. 1973 · 53
Audrey Tang
Taiwanese Minister of Digital Affairs and programmer
b. 1981 · 45
Miguel Cabrera
Venezuelan baseball player
b. 1983 · 43
Music
The number one songs on April 18
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Too Sweet"— Hozier
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 18, 1946
Jackie Robinson makes his regular season debut for the Montreal Royals of the International League, to make them the first integrated modern professional baseball team.
Jackie Robinson plays his first game for the Montreal Royals, becoming the first Black player in modern professional baseball.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 18, 1955
Albert Einstein dies in Princeton, New Jersey at age 76
The theoretical physicist who developed the theory of relativity died of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. He had declined surgery, saying he wanted to go when he wanted to go.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Army Day (Iran)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Coma Patients' Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Friend's Day (Brazil)
International
Friendship Day is an international holiday dedicated to friendship and the celebration of it
Independence Day (Zimbabwe)
International
The following is a list of holidays in Zimbabwe:
International Day For Monuments and Sites
International
The International Day for Monuments and Sites, also known as World Heritage Day, is an international observance held on April 18 each year around the world with different types of activities, includin
Invention Day (Japan)
International
Japanese patent law is based on the first-to-file principle and is mainly given force by the Patent Act of Japan
❝
Truth stands, even if there be no public support. It is self-sustained.
— Mahatma Gandhi · born April 18, 1869