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 20 Friday, March 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 20 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
European history 178 years ago
German revolutions of 1848-49: King Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicates.
King Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicates amid revolutionary upheaval sweeping through the German states, ending a 22-year reign marked by growing political tensions.
History
What happened on March 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1206Religion
Michael IV Autoreianos is appointed Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople.
Michael IV Autoreianos becomes Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, leading the Orthodox Church during the Latin Empire's occupation following the Fourth Crusade.
- 1600European history
The Linköping Bloodbath takes place on Maundy Thursday in Linköping, Sweden: five Swedish noblemen are publicly beheaded in the aftermath of the War against Sigismund (1598-1599).
Five Swedish noblemen are publicly beheaded in Linköping following the War against Sigismund.
- 1602World history
The Dutch East India Company is established.
The Dutch East India Company is founded in Amsterdam, marking the beginning of extensive trade and colonial activities.
- 1760Disaster
The Great Boston Fire of 1760 destroys 349 buildings.
A fire devastates Boston, destroying 349 buildings.
- 1848European history
German revolutions of 1848-49: King Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicates.
King Ludwig I of Bavaria abdicates amid revolutionary upheaval sweeping through the German states, ending a 22-year reign marked by growing political tensions.
- 1852US history
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin is published.
Harriet Beecher Stowe publishes "Uncle Tom's Cabin," a novel that exposes the harsh realities of slavery and influences public opinion on abolition.
- 1922US history
The USS Langley is commissioned as the first United States Navy aircraft carrier.
The USS Langley is commissioned as the first aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy.
- 1956World history
Tunisia gains independence from France.
Haviland Smith, the French governor of Tunisia, transfers power to nationalist leader Habib Bourguiba.
- 2000Crime
Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, a former Black Panther once known as H. Rap Brown, is captured after murdering Georgia sheriff's deputy Ricky Kinchen and critically wounding Deputy Aldranon English.
Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, formerly H. Rap Brown, is apprehended for killing Sheriff's Deputy Ricky Kinchen and injuring Deputy Aldranon English.
- 2012Disaster
At least 52 people are killed and more than 250 injured in a wave of terror attacks across ten cities in Iraq.
At least 52 people were killed and over 250 injured in coordinated terrorist attacks across ten Iraqi cities.
- 2019Politics
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is sworn in as acting president of Kazakhstan, following the resignation of long-time president Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is sworn in as acting president of Kazakhstan after Nursultan Nazarbayev's resignation.
- 2021Politics
La Plume noire, an anarchist bookstore in Lyon, is targeted by an attack of the far-right, provoking a shock in Lyon's far-left circles.
An anarchist bookstore in Lyon is attacked by far-right extremists, shocking the city’s far-left community.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 20
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 67
Sting
American wrestler
Sting, the retired professional wrestler known for his lengthy runs in major American promotions and sporadic appearances with All Elite Wrestling, turns 67 today.
Born
1959
Turns 67
today
Ovid
Roman poet
-43 – 17
Ivan Mazepa
Ukrainian diplomat, Hetman of Ukraine
1639 – 1709
Frederick Winslow Taylor
American tennis player and engineer
1856 – 1915
Ian Moss
Australian guitarist and singer-songwriter
b. 1955 · 71
Chilly Gonzales
Canadian-German singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer
b. 1972 · 54
Vikram Banerjee
English cricketer
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on March 20
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 20, 1985
Libby Riddles becomes the first woman to win the 1,135-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Libby Riddles wins the 1,135-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, becoming the first woman to achieve this feat.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 20, 1916
Albert Einstein submits his paper, "The Foundation of the General Theory of Relativity", which establishes his general theory of relativity, to the journal Annalen der Physik.
Albert Einstein submits his groundbreaking paper on general relativity to Annalen der Physik.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Great American MeatOut (United States)
International
Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM) is an international nonprofit organization working to promote a vegan lifestyle and animal rights through public education and grass roots outreach
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Tunisia from France in 1956.
International
This is a list of holidays in Tunisia
International Day of Happiness (United Nations)
International
The International Day of Happiness is celebrated throughout the world on 20 March
International Francophonie Day (Organisation internationale de la Francophonie), and its related observances: UN French Language Day (United Nations)
International
UN French Language Day is observed annually on 20 March
National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
International
HIV
World Sparrow Day
International
World Sparrow Day is a day designated to raise awareness of the house sparrow and then other common birds to urban environments, and of threats to their populations, observed on 20 March
❝
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
— Dalai Lama · born March 20, 1935