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
February 13 Friday, February 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 13 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
UK history 564 years ago
The Treaty of Westminster is finalised between Edward IV of England and the Scottish Lord of the Isles.
Edward IV of England and John MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, finalize the Treaty of Westminster, a secret alliance against the Scottish crown.
History
What happened on February 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 962European history
Emperor Otto I and Pope John XII co-sign the Diploma Ottonianum, recognizing John as ruler of Rome.
Otto I and Pope John XII sign the Diploma Ottonianum, affirming John's authority over Rome.
- 1258War
Siege of Baghdad: Hulegu Khan, a prince of the Mongol Empire, orders his army to sack and plunder the city of Baghdad, which they had just captured.
Hulegu Khan's Mongol army sacks and plunders Baghdad after capturing the city.
- 1322Disaster
The central tower of Ely Cathedral falls on the night of 12th-13th.
The central tower of Ely Cathedral collapses during the night, causing significant damage to the historic structure.
- 1352War
War of the Straits: The Battle of the Bosporus is fought in a stormy sea into the night between the Genoese, Venetian, Aragonese, and Byzantine fleets.
Fleets from Genoa, Venice, Aragon, and Byzantium battle in a stormy Bosporus overnight.
- 1462UK history
The Treaty of Westminster is finalised between Edward IV of England and the Scottish Lord of the Isles.
Edward IV of England and John MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, finalize the Treaty of Westminster, a secret alliance against the Scottish crown.
- 1503War
Challenge of Barletta: Tournament between 13 Italian and 13 French knights near Barletta.
A tournament called the Challenge of Barletta features 13 Italian knights facing off against 13 French knights in a historic duel.
- 1542Royalty
Catherine Howard, the fifth wife of Henry VIII of England, is executed for adultery.
Catherine Howard is beheaded at the Tower of London for committing adultery.
- 1633Science
Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome for his trial before the Inquisition.
Galileo Galilei arrives in Rome to face the Inquisition over his support of Copernican heliocentrism.
- 1689UK history
William and Mary are proclaimed co-rulers of England.
William and Mary are proclaimed joint sovereigns of England, concluding the Glorious Revolution that deposed James II.
- 1726US history
Parliament of Negrete between Mapuche and Spanish authorities in Chile brings an end to the Mapuche uprising of 1723-26.
The Parliament of Negrete concludes with a peace agreement between Mapuche leaders and Spanish authorities, ending three years of armed resistance in Chile.
- 1755European history
Treaty of Giyanti signed by VOC, Pakubuwono III and Prince Mangkubumi. The treaty divides the Javanese kingdom of Mataram into two: Sunanate of Surakarta and Sultanate of Yogyakarta.
The Treaty of Giyanti splits the Javanese kingdom of Mataram into the Sunanate of Surakarta and the Sultanate of Yogyakarta.
- 1861European history
Italian unification: The Siege of Gaeta ends with the capitulation of the defending fortress, effectively bringing an end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
The siege of Gaeta concludes with the fortress's surrender, marking the end of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 13
7 this date All birthdays
Rufus Wilmot Griswold
American anthologist, editor, poet and critic
Rufus Wilmot Griswold, the American anthologist and critic who built his literary reputation with his 1842 collection "The Poets and Poetry of America," was born today in 1815.
Born
1815
Died
1857
Eileen Farrell
American soprano and educator
1920 – 2002
Michael Anthony Bilandic
American soldier, judge, and politician, 49th Mayor of Chicago
1923 – 2002
Marc Crawford
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
b. 1961 · 65
Mats Sundin
Swedish ice hockey player
b. 1971 · 55
Todd Williams
American baseball player
b. 1971 · 55
Robbie Williams
English singer-songwriter
b. 1974 · 52
Music
The number one songs on February 13
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Raindance"— Dave and Tems
- 2025"Messy"— Lola Young
- 2024"Stick Season"— Noah Kahan
- 2023"Flowers"— Miley Cyrus
- 2022"We Don't Talk About Bruno"— Carolina Gaitán , Mauro Castillo , Adassa , Rhenzy Feliz , Diane Guerrero and Stephanie Beatriz
- 2021"Drivers License"— Olivia Rodrigo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport February 13, 1954
Frank Selvy becomes the only NCAA Division I basketball player ever to score 100 points in a single game.
Frank Selvy scores 100 points in a single game, becoming the only NCAA Division I player to achieve this feat.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 13, 1726
Parliament of Negrete between Mapuche and Spanish authorities in Chile brings an end to the Mapuche uprising of 1723-26.
The Parliament of Negrete concludes with a peace agreement between Mapuche leaders and Spanish authorities, ending the Mapuche uprising.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Black Love Day (United States)
International
Black Love Day is an annual celebration that takes place February 13
Children's Day (Myanmar)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
World Radio Day
International
World Radio Day is an international day celebrated on February 13 each year