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 20 Monday, April 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 20 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
3
Holidays
1303
Religion 723 years ago
The Sapienza University of Rome is instituted by a bull of Pope Boniface VIII.
Pope Boniface VIII issues a papal bull establishing the Sapienza University of Rome, one of the world's oldest universities.
History
What happened on April 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1152European history
After an eight-year conflict, Baldwin III of Jerusalem wins sole control of the Kingdom of Jerusalem from his mother Melisende.
Baldwin III of Jerusalem wins sole control of the kingdom after an eight-year power struggle with his mother, Queen Melisende.
- 1303Religion
The Sapienza University of Rome is instituted by a bull of Pope Boniface VIII.
Pope Boniface VIII issues a papal bull establishing the Sapienza University of Rome, one of the world's oldest universities.
- 1303War
The Bahri Mamluks defeat the Ilkhanate in the battle of Marj al-Saffar, marking the end of the Mongol incursions into Syria.
The Bahri Mamluks defeat the Ilkhanate at Marj al-Saffar, ending Mongol invasions in Syria.
- 1535Science
A complex halo display is observed over Stockholm, Sweden, inspiring the Vädersolstavlan ("The Sundog painting"), the earliest depiction of such an event, and the oldest colour depiction of the city.
A complex halo display over Stockholm inspires the Vädersolstavlan, the first depiction of a sundog and the oldest color image of the city.
- 1653UK history
Oliver Cromwell dissolves England's Rump Parliament.
Oliver Cromwell disperses the Rump Parliament, establishing his rule as Lord Protector.
- 1657UK history
English Admiral Robert Blake destroys a Spanish silver fleet, under heavy fire from the shore, at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
English Admiral Robert Blake destroys a Spanish silver fleet at Santa Cruz de Tenerife while under heavy fire from shore batteries.
- 1770War
The Georgian king, Erekle II, abandoned by his Russian ally Count Totleben, wins a victory over Ottoman forces at Aspindza.
Erekle II leads Georgia to victory against Ottoman forces at Aspindza without Russian support.
- 1789US history
George Washington arrives at Grays Ferry, Philadelphia, while en route to Manhattan for his inauguration.
George Washington arrives at Grays Ferry in Philadelphia during his journey to Manhattan for his inauguration.
- 1861Science
Thaddeus S. C. Lowe, attempting to display the value of balloons, makes record journey, flying 900 miles from Cincinnati to South Carolina.
Thaddeus S. C. Lowe flies 900 miles from Cincinnati to South Carolina, demonstrating the potential of balloons for long-distance travel and communication.
- 1862Science
Louis Pasteur and Claude Bernard complete the experiment disproving the theory of spontaneous generation.
Pasteur and Bernard's experiment proves that microorganisms do not arise spontaneously but come from other microorganisms.
- 1961War
Cold War: Failure of the Bay of Pigs Invasion of US-backed Cuban exiles against Cuba.
The Bay of Pigs invasion, a CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles backed by the United States, fails to overthrow Fidel Castro's regime.
- 2023Technology
SpaceX's Starship rocket, the largest and most powerful rocket ever built, launches for the first time. It explodes four minutes into flight.
Starship, the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, launches but explodes four minutes later.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 20
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on April 20
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 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
- 2020"Blinding Lights"— The Weeknd
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 20, 2008
Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver in history to win an Indy car race.
Danica Patrick wins the Indy Japan 300, becoming the first female driver to claim victory in an Indy car race.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 20, 1902
Pierre and Marie Curie refine radium chloride.
Pierre and Marie Curie successfully isolate radium chloride, advancing radioactivity research.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
420 (cannabis culture)
International
420 is cannabis culture slang for cannabis consumption, especially smoking around the time 4:20 p
Evacuee Flag Day (Finland)
International
Evacuee Flag Day is a flag flying day in Finland observed on 20 April
UN Chinese Language Day (United Nations)
International
UN Chinese Language Day is observed annually on April 20