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 6 Monday, April 6, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 6 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
7
Holidays
1580
Disaster 446 years ago
One of the largest earthquakes recorded in the history of England, Flanders, or Northern France, takes place.
A powerful earthquake strikes the Dover Strait region, causing widespread damage across southeastern England, Flanders, and northern France.
History
What happened on April 6
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -46War
Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato (Cato the Younger) at the Battle of Thapsus.
Julius Caesar secures victory over Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Cato the Younger in the Battle of Thapsus.
- 402European history
Stilicho defeats the Visigoths under Alaric in the Battle of Pollentia.
Stilicho defeats the Visigoths led by Alaric in the Battle of Pollentia.
- 945European history
Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII crowns his son Romanos II as co-emperor.
Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII crowns his son Romanos II as co-emperor to secure the imperial succession.
- 1320UK history
The Scots reaffirm their independence by signing the Declaration of Arbroath.
The Scots assert their independence with the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath.
- 1453World history
Mehmed II begins his siege of Constantinople. The city falls on May 29 and is renamed Istanbul.
Mehmed II begins the siege that leads to the fall of Constantinople, which is later renamed Istanbul.
- 1580Disaster
One of the largest earthquakes recorded in the history of England, Flanders, or Northern France, takes place.
A powerful earthquake strikes the Dover Strait region, causing widespread damage across southeastern England, Flanders, and northern France.
- 1652European history
At the Cape of Good Hope, Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp that eventually becomes Cape Town.
Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp at the Cape of Good Hope, which later develops into Cape Town.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: Ships of the Continental Navy fail in their attempt to capture a Royal Navy dispatch boat.
The Continental Navy's ships fail to capture a Royal Navy dispatch boat during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1793European history
During the French Revolution, the Committee of Public Safety becomes the executive organ of the republic.
The Committee of Public Safety is established as the revolutionary government's executive body.
- 1814European history
Nominal beginning of the Bourbon Restoration; anniversary date that Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba.
Napoleon abdicates and is exiled to Elba, marking the nominal beginning of the Bourbon Restoration in France.
- 1841US history
U.S. President John Tyler is sworn in, two days after having become president upon William Henry Harrison's death.
John Tyler is sworn in as the ninth president of the United States, succeeding William Henry Harrison.
- 1974Pop culture
The first California Jam festival takes place at the Ontario Motor Speedway in Ontario, California. Co-headlined by Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. The festival set what were then records for the loudest amplification system ever installed, the highest paid attendance, and highest gross in history.
California Jam features Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake & Palmer at Ontario Motor Speedway, setting records for sound volume, ticket sales, and revenue.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 6
7 this date All birthdays
Gustave Moreau
French painter and academic
Gustave Moreau, the French Symbolist painter whose allegorical works made him a leading figure in the movement, was born today in 1826.
Born
1826
Died
1898
Philip Henry Gosse
English biologist and academic
1810 – 1888
Osman Ali Khan
Asaf Jah VII, Indian ruler
1886 – 1967
William M. Branham
American minister and theologian
1909 – 1965
Jean-Pierre Changeux
French neuroscientist, biologist, and academic
b. 1936 · 90
Ng Ser Miang
Singaporean athlete, entrepreneur and diplomat
b. 1949 · 77
Goeido Gotaro
Japanese sumo wrestler
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on April 6
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"Beautiful Things"— Benson Boone
- 2023"Eyes Closed"— Ed Sheeran
- 2022"Starlight"— Dave
- 2021"Wellerman"— Nathan Evans , 220 Kid and Billen Ted
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport April 6, 1973
Launch of Pioneer 11 spacecraft.
Pioneer 11 begins its journey to explore Jupiter and Saturn, becoming the second spacecraft to encounter the ringed planet.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 6, 1965
Launch of Early Bird, the first commercial communications satellite to be placed in geosynchronous orbit.
Early Bird becomes the first commercial communications satellite to reach geosynchronous orbit, enabling simultaneous telephone and television transmissions across continents.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Chakri Day, commemorating the establishment of the Chakri dynasty. (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
International
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP), held annually on 6 April, is a celebration of the power of sport to drive social change, community development and to foster peace and
National Fisherman Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays
New Beer's Eve (United States)
International
National Beer Day is celebrated in the United States every year on April 7, marking the day that the Cullen-Harrison Act came into force after having been signed into law by President Franklin D
Tartan Day (United States & Canada)
International
Tartan Day is a celebration of Scottish heritage and the cultural contributions of Scottish and Scottish-diaspora figures of history
Waltzing Matilda Day (Australia)
International
"Waltzing Matilda" is a song developed in the Australian style of poetry and folk music called a bush ballad
❝
I am dominated by one thing, an irresistible, burning attraction towards the abstract.
— Gustave Moreau · born April 6, 1826