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 25 Wednesday, February 25, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 25 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
6
Holidays
1956
Politics 70 years ago
In his speech On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences, Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union, denounces Stalin.
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev delivers his secret speech denouncing Joseph Stalin's crimes and cult of personality to the 20th Party Congress.
History
What happened on February 25
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 138World history
Roman emperor Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius as his son, effectively making him his successor.
Hadrian adopts Antoninus Pius as his son, ensuring his succession.
- 628World history
Khosrow II, the last great Shah of the Sasanian Empire (Iran), is overthrown by his son Kavadh II.
Khosrow II, the last great Shah of the Sasanian Empire, is overthrown by his son Kavadh II.
- 1705Culture
George Frideric Handel's opera Nero premieres in Hamburg.
George Frideric Handel's opera Nero debuts in Hamburg.
- 1870US history
Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Mississippi, is sworn into the United States Senate, becoming the first African American ever to sit in Congress.
Hiram Rhodes Revels becomes the first African American to serve in the U.S. Senate.
- 1875World history
Guangxu Emperor of Qing dynasty China begins his reign, under Empress Dowager Cixi's regency.
The Guangxu Emperor starts his reign in the Qing dynasty, initially under the regency of Empress Dowager Cixi.
- 1918WWI
World War I: German forces capture Tallinn to virtually complete the occupation of Estonia.
German forces capture Tallinn, completing their occupation of Estonia.
- 1956Politics
In his speech On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences, Nikita Khrushchev, leader of the Soviet Union, denounces Stalin.
Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev delivers his secret speech denouncing Joseph Stalin's crimes and cult of personality to the 20th Party Congress.
- 2009War
Soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles mutiny at their headquarters in Pilkhana, Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulting in 74 deaths, including 57 army officials.
A mutiny by soldiers of the Bangladesh Rifles at their Dhaka headquarters results in 74 deaths, including 57 army officials.
- 2009Disaster
Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 crashes during landing at the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Netherlands, primarily due to a faulty radio altimeter, resulting in the death of nine passengers and crew including all three pilots.
Turkish Airlines Flight 1951 crashes during landing at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, killing nine passengers and crew, including all three pilots.
- 2015Disaster
At least 310 people are killed in avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan.
Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 310 people, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in the country's history.
- 2016Crime
Three people are killed and fourteen others injured in a series of shootings in the small Kansas cities of Newton and Hesston.
Three people were killed and fourteen injured in a series of shootings across Newton and Hesston.
- 2026Crime
Four people are killed and several more are injured when Cuban Border Guard Troops confront and open fire on a US-registered speedboat violating Cuban waters.
Cuban border guards kill four and injure several others after opening fire on a U.S.-registered speedboat in territorial waters.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 25
7 this date All birthdays
S. Rajaratnam
Singaporean politician, 1st Senior Minister of Singapore
S. Rajaratnam, the Singaporean statesman who served as the nation's first Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1965 to 1980 and was pivotal in shaping its foreign policy, was born today in 1915.
Born
1915
Died
2006
Henry Howard
1st Earl of Northampton, English aristocrat and courtier
1540 – 1614
Carlo Goldoni
Italian playwright and composer
1707 – 1793
John St. John
American lawyer and politician, 8th Governor of Kansas
1833 – 1916
A. Leon Higginbotham
Jr., American civil rights advocate, historian, and judge
1928 – 1998
Farokh Engineer
Indian cricketer
b. 1938 · 88
Park Ji-sung
South Korean footballer
b. 1981 · 45
Music
The number one songs on February 25
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Opalite"— Taylor Swift
- 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 25, 1964
Cassius Clay defeats Sonny Liston to win the world heavyweight boxing championship
The 22-year-old challenger shocked the boxing world when champion Sonny Liston failed to answer the bell for the seventh round in Miami Beach. Clay announced the next day he had joined the Nation of Islam and would change his name to Muhammad Ali.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 25, 1933
Launch of the USS Ranger at Newport News, Virginia. It is the first purpose-built aircraft carrier to be commissioned by the US Navy.
The USS Ranger is launched in Newport News, Virginia, becoming the first purpose-built aircraft carrier for the U.S. Navy.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Kitano Baika-sai or "Plum Blossom Festival" (Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine, Kyoto, Japan)
International
Kitano Tenmangū is a Shinto shrine in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan
Memorial Day for the Victims of the Communist Dictatorships (Hungary)
International
A number of public holidays and special events take place each year in Hungary
National Day (Kuwait)
International
People Power Day (Philippines)
International
The People Power Revolution, also known as the EDSA Revolution or the February Revolution, was a series of popular demonstrations in the Philippines, mostly in Metro Manila, from February 22 to 25, 19
Revolution Day in Suriname
International
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies
Soviet Occupation Day (Georgia)
International
Soviet Occupation Day is a day of remembrance in the country of Georgia
❝
We must be united, we must be loyal, we must be determined.
— S. Rajaratnam · born February 25, 1915