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
December 28 Monday, December 28, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 28 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
4
Holidays
World history 190 years ago
Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico with the signing of the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty.
Spain formally recognizes Mexico's independence through the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty, ending fifteen years of diplomatic limbo following Mexico's 1821 separation from Spanish rule.
History
What happened on December 28
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 418Religion
A papal election begins, resulting in the election of Pope Boniface I.
Cardinals convene for a papal election that ultimately selects Boniface I as pope.
- 457World history
Majorian is acclaimed as Western Roman emperor.
Majorian is proclaimed Western Roman Emperor by his troops in Carthage.
- 893Disaster
An earthquake destroys the city of Dvin, Armenia.
An earthquake devastates the Armenian city of Dvin, causing widespread destruction.
- 1065UK history
Edward the Confessor's Romanesque monastic church at Westminster Abbey is consecrated.
Westminster Abbey, Edward the Confessor's Romanesque monastic church dedicated to St. Peter, is consecrated in London.
- 1308World history
The reign of Emperor Hanazono of Japan begins.
Emperor Hanazono ascends to the Japanese throne, marking the beginning of his rule.
- 1659War
The Marathas defeat the Adilshahi forces in the Battle of Kolhapur.
The Marathas secure a victory over the Adilshahi forces in the Battle of Kolhapur.
- 1768Royalty
King Taksin's coronation achieved through conquest as a king of Thailand and established Thonburi as a capital.
Taksin was crowned king of Thailand after conquering the region, establishing Thonburi as the new capital.
- 1795Canadian history
Construction of Yonge Street, formerly recognized as the longest street in the world, begins in York, Upper Canada (present-day Toronto).
Construction begins on Yonge Street in York, later to be known as the longest street in the world.
- 1832US history
John C. Calhoun becomes the first Vice President of the United States to resign. He resigned after being elected Senator from South Carolina.
John C. Calhoun resigns as Vice President to become a senator from South Carolina.
- 1836World history
Spain recognizes the independence of Mexico with the signing of the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty.
Spain formally recognizes Mexico's independence through the Santa María-Calatrava Treaty, ending fifteen years of diplomatic limbo following Mexico's 1821 separation from Spanish rule.
- 1948Technology
The DC-3 airliner NC16002 disappears 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of Miami.
The DC-3 airliner NC16002 vanishes 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Miami.
- 2009Disaster
Forty-three people die in a suicide bombing in Karachi, Pakistan, where Shia Muslims are observing the Day of Ashura.
A suicide bombing in Karachi kills forty-three people during Shia observances of Ashura, one of the holiest days in the Islamic calendar.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 28
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 82
Gordon Taylor
English footballer
Gordon Taylor, English footballer who played as a winger before serving as chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association for over four decades, turns 82 today.
Born
1944
Turns 82
today
Shen Congwen
Chinese author and educator
1902 – 1988
John von Neumann
Hungarian-American mathematician and physicist
1903 – 1957
Mariam A. Aleem
Egyptian illustrator and academic
1930 – 2010
Martha Wash
American singer-songwriter
b. 1953 · 73
Denzel Washington
American actor, director, and producer
b. 1954 · 72
John Legend
American singer-songwriter, pianist, and actor
b. 1978 · 48
Music
The number one songs on December 28
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 28, 1992
"I Will Always Love You"
by Whitney Houston
#1 for 10 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"XMAS"— Kylie Minogue
- 2024"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2023"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2022"Last Christmas"— Wham!
- 2021"Merry Christmas"— Ed Sheeran and Elton John
- 2020"All I Want for Christmas Is You"— Mariah Carey
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport December 28, 1958
"Greatest Game Ever Played": The Baltimore Colts defeat the New York Giants in the first ever National Football League sudden death overtime game at New York's Yankee Stadium to win the NFL Championship.
The Baltimore Colts defeat the New York Giants in sudden-death overtime to win the NFL Championship at Yankee Stadium.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 28, 1895
Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper detailing his discovery of a new type of radiation, which later will be known as x-rays.
Wilhelm Röntgen publishes a paper describing a new type of radiation that would later be called X-rays.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
King Taksin Memorial Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
Proclamation Day (South Australia), celebration started on the day following Christmas (South Australia)
International
Proclamation Day commonly refers to the anniversary of the proclamation of government of the province of South Australia, which continues to be celebrated in South Australia on 28 December, although
Republic Day (South Sudan)
International
This is a list of holidays in South Sudan
The fourth of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Western Christianity)
International
The Twelve Days of Christmas, or Twelve Days of Christmastide, is the festive Christian season celebrating the Nativity of Jesus
❝
I resign the Vice Presidency of the United States.
— John C. Calhoun · born December 28, 1782