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 19 Thursday, March 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 19 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
8
Holidays
US history 339 years ago
Explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle, searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River, is murdered by his own men.
French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle is murdered by mutinous members of his expedition in present-day Texas during his ill-fated search for the Mississippi's mouth.
History
What happened on March 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1205European history
Latin forces under Henry of Flanders defeat a Nicaean army under Constantine Laskaris in the Battle of Adramyttion.
Latin forces led by Henry of Flanders triumph over a Nicaean army commanded by Constantine Laskaris in the Battle of Adramyttion.
- 1277European history
The Byzantine-Venetian treaty of 1277 is concluded, stipulating a two-year truce and renewing Venetian commercial privileges in the Byzantine Empire.
The Byzantine Empire and Venice conclude a treaty establishing a two-year truce and renewing Venetian commercial privileges throughout Byzantine territories.
- 1452Royalty
Frederick III of Habsburg is the last Holy Roman Emperor crowned by medieval tradition in Rome by Pope Nicholas V.
Frederick III becomes the last Holy Roman Emperor crowned in Rome by a pope, ending a centuries-old tradition of papal coronation.
- 1563European history
The Edict of Amboise is signed, ending the first phase of the French Wars of Religion and granting certain freedoms to the Huguenots.
The Edict of Amboise ends the first phase of the French Wars of Religion and grants freedoms to the Huguenots.
- 1649UK history
The House of Commons of England passes an act abolishing the House of Lords, declaring it "useless and dangerous to the people of England".
The English Parliament abolishes the House of Lords, deeming it "useless and dangerous."
- 1687US history
Explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle, searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River, is murdered by his own men.
French explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle is murdered by mutinous members of his expedition in present-day Texas during his ill-fated search for the Mississippi's mouth.
- 1824US history
American explorer Benjamin Morrell departs Antarctica after a voyage later plagued by claims of fraud.
Benjamin Morrell leaves Antarctica, his expedition later facing accusations of fraudulent claims.
- 1831Crime
First documented bank heist in U.S. history, when burglars steal $245,000 (1831 values) from the City Bank (now Citibank) on Wall Street. Most of the money was recovered.
Burglars steal $245,000 from City Bank on Wall Street; most of the stolen money is later recovered.
- 1982War
Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the United Kingdom.
Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, sparking conflict with the United Kingdom.
- 1989World history
The Egyptian flag is raised at Taba, marking the end of Israeli occupation since the Six Days War in 1967 and the Egypt-Israel peace treaty in 1979.
The Egyptian flag is raised in Taba, ending the Israeli occupation that began in 1967 and solidifying the Egypt-Israel peace treaty.
- 2004Disaster
The Konginkangas bus disaster kills 23 and injures 14 people in Äänekoski, Finland.
A bus crash in Äänekoski, Finland, kills 23 and injures 14 passengers.
- 2011War
Libyan Civil War: After the failure of Muammar Gaddafi's forces to take Benghazi, the French Air Force launches Opération Harmattan, beginning foreign military intervention in Libya.
The French Air Force launches Opération Harmattan, marking the start of foreign military intervention after Gaddafi's forces fail to capture Benghazi.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 81
John Holder
English cricketer and umpire
John Wakefield Holder, a Barbadian-born English cricketer who played county cricket for Hampshire and later became an international cricket umpire, turns 81 today.
Born
1945
Turns 81
today
Anna Held
Polish singer
1872 – 1918
Edith Nourse Rogers
American social worker and politician
1881 – 1960
Gaston Lachaise
French-American sculptor
1882 – 1935
Earl Warren
American lieutenant, jurist, and politician, 14th Chief Justice of the United States
1891 – 1974
Adolf Eichmann
German SS officer, one of the main organizers of the Holocaust
1906 – 1962
Cydonie Mothersille
Jamaican-Caymanian sprinter
b. 1978 · 48
Music
The number one songs on March 19
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"American Girls"— Harry Styles
- 2025"Pink Pony Club"— Chappell Roan
- 2024"Texas Hold 'Em"— Beyoncé
- 2023"Flowers"— Miley Cyrus
- 2022"Starlight"— Dave
- 2021"Drivers License"— Olivia Rodrigo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport March 19, 2006
England defeats Pakistan by 167 runs in first Twenty20 international cricket match
The first official Twenty20 international was played at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. England scored 179 for 8, and Pakistan was bowled out for just 12 runs in 15.4 overs, the lowest score in any form of international cricket at the time.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 19, 2008
GRB 080319B: A cosmic burst that is the farthest object visible to the naked eye is briefly observed.
A gamma-ray burst named GRB 080319B is observed as the most distant object visible to the naked eye for a brief period.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Christian Observances: Alkmund of Derby
International
Alkmund of Derby, also spelt Ealhmund, Alhmund, Alcmund, or Alchmund was a son of Alhred of Northumbria, who was caught up in the kingdom's dynastic struggles
Christian Observances: Blessed Andrea Gallerani
International
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name
Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph's Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances: Falles, celebrated on the week leading to March 19 (Valencia)
International
The Fallas is a traditional celebration held annually in the city of Valencia, Spain; it is the patronal festival of the town
Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph's Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances: Father's Day (Spain, Portugal, Italy, Honduras, and Bolivia)
International
Father's Day is a day set aside for honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society
Christian Observances: Saint Joseph (Western Christianity; if this date falls on Sunday, the feast is moved to Monday March 20) Saint Joseph's Day (Roman Catholicism and Anglican Communion) related observances: "Return of the Swallow", annual observance of the swallows' return to Mission San Juan Capistrano in California
International
The cliff swallow or American cliff swallow is a member of the passerine bird family Hirundinidae, the swallows and martins
Christian Observances: Blessed Marcel Callo
International
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name