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 18 Wednesday, February 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 18 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
1268
War 758 years ago
The Battle of Wesenberg is fought between the Livonian Order and Dovmont of Pskov.
The Livonian Order clashes with Dovmont of Pskov at Wesenberg, where the outnumbered Pskovian forces achieve a decisive victory over the crusading knights.
History
What happened on February 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -3102Religion
Kali Yuga, the fourth and final yuga of Hinduism, starts with the death of Krishna.
Krishna's death marks the beginning of Kali Yuga, the final era in Hindu cosmology.
- 1229European history
The Sixth Crusade: Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, signs a ten-year truce with al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem with neither military engagements nor support from the papacy.
Frederick II signs a ten-year truce with al-Kamil, regaining Jerusalem, Nazareth, and Bethlehem without military conflict or papal involvement.
- 1268War
The Battle of Wesenberg is fought between the Livonian Order and Dovmont of Pskov.
The Livonian Order clashes with Dovmont of Pskov at Wesenberg, where the outnumbered Pskovian forces achieve a decisive victory over the crusading knights.
- 1332Royalty
Amda Seyon I, Emperor of Ethiopia begins his campaigns in the southern Muslim provinces.
Amda Seyon I initiates military campaigns in Ethiopia's southern Muslim provinces.
- 1637European history
Eighty Years' War: Off the coast of Cornwall, England, a Spanish fleet intercepts an important Anglo-Dutch merchant convoy of 44 vessels escorted by six warships, destroying or capturing 20 of them.
A Spanish fleet intercepts and damages an Anglo-Dutch merchant convoy off Cornwall, capturing or destroying 20 of the 44 vessels.
- 1791US history
Congress passes a law admitting the state of Vermont to the Union, effective 4 March, after that state had existed for 14 years as a de facto independent largely unrecognized state.
Congress passes legislation admitting Vermont as the fourteenth state, ending its fourteen-year existence as an independent republic following its 1777 separation from New York.
- 1797War
French Revolutionary Wars: Sir Ralph Abercromby and a fleet of 18 British warships invade Trinidad.
Sir Ralph Abercromby leads a fleet of 18 British warships in the invasion of Trinidad during the French Revolutionary Wars.
- 1814War
Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Montereau.
Napoleon Bonaparte wins a significant victory against Austrian forces at the Battle of Montereau.
- 1873European history
Bulgarian revolutionary leader Vasil Levski is executed by hanging in Sofia by the Ottoman authorities.
Vasil Levski, a Bulgarian revolutionary leader, is executed by hanging in Sofia by the Ottoman authorities.
- 1954Religion
The first Church of Scientology is established in Los Angeles.
L. Ron Hubbard founds the first Church of Scientology in Los Angeles.
- 1957Politics
Kenyan rebel leader Dedan Kimathi is executed by the British colonial government.
Dedan Kimathi, a Kenyan rebel leader, is executed by the British colonial authorities.
- 2010Politics
WikiLeaks publishes the first of hundreds of thousands of classified documents disclosed by the soldier now known as Chelsea Manning.
WikiLeaks releases its first batch of classified documents leaked by Chelsea Manning.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 18
7 this date All birthdays
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi
Persian scientist and writer
Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, the Persian polymath who made significant contributions to astronomy, mathematics, philosophy, and medicine, was born today in 1201.
Born
1201
Died
1274
Mary Amdur
American toxicologist and public health researcher
1921 – 1998
Claude Ake
Nigerian political scientist and academic
1939 – 1996
Fabrizio De André
Italian singer-songwriter and guitarist
1940 – 1999
Randy Crawford
American jazz and R&B singer
b. 1952 · 74
Dr. Dre
American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur
b. 1965 · 61
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
American basketball player
b. 2001 · 25
Music
The number one songs on February 18
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 18, 1979
Richard Petty wins a then-record sixth Daytona 500 after leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crash on the final lap of the first NASCAR race televised live flag-to-flag.
Richard Petty wins his sixth Daytona 500, setting a then-record, after a crash between Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough on the final lap.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 18, 2021
Perseverance, a Mars rover designed to explore Jezero crater on Mars, as part of NASA's Mars 2020 mission, lands successfully.
Perseverance lands successfully in Jezero crater, beginning its exploration of Mars.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Dialect Day (Amami Islands, Japan)
International
The Ryukyuan languages , also Lewchewan or Luchuan, are the indigenous languages of the Ryukyu Islands, the southernmost part of the Japanese archipelago
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of the Gambia from the United Kingdom in 1965
International
This is a list of public holidays in The Gambia
Kurdish Students Union Day (Iraqi Kurdistan)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
National Democracy Day, celebrates the 1951 overthrow of the Rana dynasty (Nepal)
International
Nepal uses three official calendar systems, including the Nepal Sambat as the main and national calendar, the Vikram Samvat for Hindu holidays, and the Gregorian calendar for international events and
❝
He who does not know what he seeks will not understand what he finds.
— Nasir al-Din al-Tusi · born February 18, 1201