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
March 13 Friday, March 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 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
1888
Disaster 138 years ago
The eruption of Ritter Island triggers tsunamis that kill up to 3,000 people on nearby islands.
The eruption of Ritter Island triggers tsunamis that kill up to 3,000 people on nearby islands in what is now Papua New Guinea.
History
What happened on March 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 222World history
Roman emperor Elagabalus is murdered alongside his mother, Julia Soaemias. He is replaced by his 14-year old cousin, Severus Alexander.
Elagabalus and his mother Julia Soaemias are killed; Severus Alexander, a 14-year-old cousin, succeeds him as emperor.
- 483Religion
Election of Pope Felix III following the death of Pope Simplicius earlier that month.
Pope Felix III is elected to succeed Pope Simplicius.
- 624World history
The Battle of Badr, the first major battle between the Muslims and Quraysh.
Muhammad leads a small Muslim army to victory against the larger Quraysh force in what is considered Islam's first significant military triumph.
- 1261European history
The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Genoa sign a permanent treaty against the Venetians at Nymphaeum.
The Byzantine Empire and the Republic of Genoa sign a permanent anti-Venetian alliance at Nymphaeum.
- 1323War
Siege of Warangal: Sultan Ghiyath al-Din Tughluq sends an expeditionary army led by his son, Muhammad bin Tughluq, to the Kakatiya capital Warangal, after ruler Prataparudra has refused to make tribute payments. He besieges the city and finally, after a campaign of 8 months, Prataparudra surrenders on November 9.
Muhammad bin Tughluq besieges the Kakatiya capital of Warangal for eight months before ruler Prataparudra surrenders.
- 1567European history
The Battle of Oosterweel, traditionally regarded as the start of the Eighty Years' War.
Spanish and Dutch forces clash in the Battle of Oosterweel, marking the beginning of the Eighty Years' War.
- 1591War
At the Battle of Tondibi in Mali, Moroccan forces of the Saadi dynasty, led by Judar Pasha, defeat the Songhai Empire, despite being outnumbered by at least five to one.
Judar Pasha leads Moroccan forces to victory over the Songhai Empire in Mali, despite being outnumbered at least five to one.
- 1639US history
Harvard College is named after clergyman John Harvard.
Harvard College is renamed in honor of clergyman and benefactor John Harvard.
- 1697World history
Nojpetén, capital of the last independent Maya kingdom, falls to Spanish conquistadors, the final step in the Spanish conquest of Guatemala.
The fall of Nojpetén marks the end of the last independent Maya kingdom, completing Spain's conquest of Guatemala.
- 1741War
The Battle of Cartagena de Indias (part of the War of Jenkins' Ear) begins.
British forces under Admiral Edward Vernon launch their siege of the Spanish fortress city of Cartagena de Indias in present-day Colombia.
- 1781Science
William Herschel discovers Uranus.
William Herschel discovers Uranus, the seventh planet from the Sun.
- 1888Disaster
The eruption of Ritter Island triggers tsunamis that kill up to 3,000 people on nearby islands.
The eruption of Ritter Island triggers tsunamis that kill up to 3,000 people on nearby islands in what is now Papua New Guinea.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 13
7 this date All birthdays
George Negus
Australian journalist and television host
George Negus, the Australian journalist and television presenter who pioneered broadcast journalism on programs like This Day Tonight and 60 Minutes, was born in 1942.
Born
1942
Died
2024
Abigail Fillmore
American wife of Millard Fillmore, 14th First Lady of the United States
1798 – 1853
Clifford Roach
Trinidadian cricketer and footballer
1904 – 1988
Zbigniew Messner
Polish economist and politician, 9th Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland
1929 – 2014
Terence Burns
Baron Burns, English economist and academic
b. 1944 · 82
Charles Krauthammer
American physician, journalist, and author
1950 – 2018
Dana Delany
American actress and producer
b. 1956 · 70
Music
The number one songs on March 13
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Pink Pony Club"— Chappell Roan
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 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 March 13, 1996
Steffi Graf defeats Arantxa Sánchez Vicario to win her 100th career singles title
Graf became only the third woman in the Open Era to reach 100 career singles titles, defeating Sánchez Vicario 6-1, 6-4 in the final of the Lipton Championships in Key Biscayne, Florida. The milestone victory added to her record as one of tennis's most dominant champions.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 13, 1930
The news of the discovery of Pluto is announced by Lowell Observatory.
Clyde Tombaugh discovers Pluto at Lowell Observatory, marking the beginning of a new era in planetary science.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Kasuga Matsuri (Kasuga Grand Shrine, Nara, Japan)
International
Kasuga-taisha (春日大社) is a Shinto shrine in Nara, Nara Prefecture, Japan
National Elephant Day (Thailand)
International
On 26 May 1998, the Thai government declared 13 March to annually be the Thai National Elephant Day or Chang Thai Day
Africa Scout Day
International
Scouts' Day or Guides' Day is a generic term for special days observed by members of the Scouting movement throughout the year
❝
I have looked farther into space than ever human being did before me.
— William Herschel · born March 13, 1738