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 30 Thursday, April 30, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 30 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
Disaster 5 years ago
Forty-five men and boys are killed in the Meron stampede in Israel.
Forty-five men and boys are killed in a stampede during the Lag BaOmer festival at Mount Meron in Israel.
History
What happened on April 30
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 311Religion
The Diocletianic Persecution of Christians in the Roman Empire ends.
The Edict of Milan grants tolerance to Christianity, ending the Diocletianic persecution.
- 1305War
Roger de Flor, leader of the mercenary Catalan Company, is murdered, leading to widespread pillaging by the mercenaries in Thrace.
Roger de Flor, leader of the Catalan Company, is murdered, sparking widespread pillaging across Thrace.
- 1315European history
Enguerrand de Marigny is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois.
Enguerrand de Marigny, former chief minister to Philip IV of France, is hanged at the instigation of Charles, Count of Valois.
- 1492World history
Spain gives Christopher Columbus his commission of exploration. He is named admiral of the ocean sea, viceroy and governor of any territory he discovers.
Christopher Columbus receives his commission from Spain to explore westward, along with titles of admiral of the ocean sea, viceroy, and governor of any lands he discovers.
- 1598Religion
Henry IV of France issues the Edict of Nantes, allowing freedom of religion to the Huguenots.
Henry IV issues the Edict of Nantes, granting religious freedoms to the Huguenots.
- 1598US history
Juan de Oñate begins the conquest of Santa Fe de Nuevo México.
Juan de Oñate establishes Spanish control over Santa Fe de Nuevo México.
- 1636European history
Eighty Years' War: Dutch Republic forces recapture a strategically important fort from Spain after a nine-month siege.
Dutch Republic forces retake a crucial fort from Spanish control following a nine-month siege.
- 1789US history
On the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York City, George Washington takes the oath of office to become the first President of the United States.
George Washington is sworn in as the first President of the United States on a balcony at Federal Hall.
- 1803US history
Louisiana Purchase: The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, more than doubling the size of the young nation.
The United States purchases the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million, expanding its territory significantly.
- 1885US history
Governor of New York David B. Hill signs legislation creating the Niagara Reservation, New York's first state park, ensuring that Niagara Falls will not be devoted solely to industrial and commercial use.
David B. Hill signs legislation creating Niagara Reservation, New York's first state park, protecting Niagara Falls from exclusive industrial and commercial development.
- 1963UK history
The Bristol Bus Boycott is held in Bristol to protest the Bristol Omnibus Company's refusal to employ Black or Asian bus crews, drawing national attention to racial discrimination in the United Kingdom.
The Bristol Bus Boycott protests the Bristol Omnibus Company’s discriminatory hiring practices, highlighting racial inequality in the UK.
- 2021Disaster
Forty-five men and boys are killed in the Meron stampede in Israel.
Forty-five men and boys are killed in a stampede during the Lag BaOmer festival at Mount Meron in Israel.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 30
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 34
Goodnight Chicken
Taiwanese YouTuber
Goodnight Chicken, a Taiwanese YouTuber known for exploring abandoned sites and investigating paranormal activities, turns 34 today.
Born
1992
Turns 34
today
Isiah Thomas
American basketball player, coach, and sportscaster
b. 1961 · 65
Michael Waltrip
American race car driver and sportscaster
b. 1963 · 63
Adrian Pasdar
American actor
b. 1965 · 61
Nicole Kaczmarski
American basketball player
b. 1981 · 45
Paula Ribó
Spanish singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1990 · 36
Travis Scott
American rapper and producer
b. 1991 · 35
Music
The number one songs on April 30
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 30, 2016
"One Dance"
by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla
#1 for 15 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Drop Dead"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Too Sweet"— Hozier
- 2023"Wish You the Best"— Lewis Capaldi
- 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 30, 1994
Formula One racing driver Roland Ratzenberger is killed in a crash during the qualifying session of the San Marino Grand Prix run at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari outside Imola, Italy.
Roland Ratzenberger dies in a crash during the San Marino Grand Prix qualifying session near Imola.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 30, 1897
J. J. Thomson of the Cavendish Laboratory announces his discovery of the electron as a subatomic particle, over 1,800 times smaller than a proton (in the atomic nucleus), at a lecture at the Royal Institution in London.
J. J. Thomson announces his discovery of the electron as a subatomic particle at the Royal Institution in London.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Georgia)
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
Camarón Day (French Foreign Legion)
International
The Battle of Camarón was a last stand engagement fought on 30 April 1863 between the French Foreign Legion and the Mexican Army, during the Second French intervention in Mexico (1861-1867)
Children's Day (Mexico)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Consumer Protection Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
Honesty Day (United States)
International
Honesty Day is a holiday in the United States falling on April 30
International Jazz Day (UNESCO)
International
International Jazz Day is an International Day declared by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2011 "to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting p
❝
If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner.
— Nelson Mandela · born April 30, 1918