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 6 Friday, March 6, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 6 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
1988
UK history 38 years ago
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers are shot dead by the SAS in Gibraltar in Operation Flavius.
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers are killed by the British Special Air Service in Gibraltar during Operation Flavius.
History
What happened on March 6
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -12World history
The Roman emperor Augustus is named Pontifex Maximus, incorporating the position into that of the emperor.
Augustus is named Pontifex Maximus, integrating the high priest role with that of the emperor.
- 845Religion
The 42 Martyrs of Amorium are killed after refusing to convert to Islam.
Forty-two Christian soldiers from Amorium are executed for rejecting conversion to Islam.
- 1204War
The Siege of Château Gaillard ends in a French victory over King John of England, who loses control of Normandy to King Philip II Augustus.
King Philip II Augustus captures Château Gaillard from King John of England, securing French control over Normandy.
- 1323UK history
Treaty of Paris of 1323 is signed.
England and Scotland sign the Treaty of Paris, agreeing to peace terms and ending the First War of Scottish Independence.
- 1447Religion
Election of Pope Nicholas V following the death of Pope Eugene IV on 23 February 1447.
Tommaso Parentucelli is elected as Pope Nicholas V, succeeding Pope Eugene IV.
- 1651European history
The town of Kajaani, known at the time as Cajanaburg, is founded by Count Per Brahe, the Governor-General of Finland.
Count Per Brahe founds Cajanaburg, later known as Kajaani.
- 1788UK history
The First Fleet arrives at Norfolk Island in order to found a convict settlement.
The First Fleet arrives at Norfolk Island to establish a penal colony for convicts.
- 1836US history
Texas Revolution: Battle of the Alamo: After a thirteen-day siege by an army of 3,000 Mexican troops, the 187 Texas volunteers, including frontiersman Davy Crockett and colonel Jim Bowie, defending the Alamo are killed and the fort is captured.
The defenders of the Alamo, including Davy Crockett and Colonel Jim Bowie, are killed after a thirteen-day siege by Mexican forces.
- 1857US history
The Supreme Court of the United States rules 7-2 in the Dred Scott v. Sandford case that the Constitution does not confer citizenship on black people.
The Supreme Court rules that black people are not citizens and cannot sue in federal court.
- 1975World history
Algiers Accord: Iran and Iraq announce a settlement of their border dispute.
Iran and Iraq announce a resolution to their border conflict in the Algiers Accord.
- 1988UK history
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers are shot dead by the SAS in Gibraltar in Operation Flavius.
Three Provisional Irish Republican Army volunteers are killed by the British Special Air Service in Gibraltar during Operation Flavius.
- 2020Crime
32 people are killed and 82 are injured when gunmen open fire on a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan. The Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.
Gunmen open fire at a political gathering in Kabul, killing 32 people and wounding 82; the Islamic State claims responsibility for the attack.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 6
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 38
Agnes
Swedish singer
Agnes, the Swedish singer who won Idol 2005 and released her self-titled debut album and follow-up Stronger, turns 38 today.
Born
1988
Turns 38
today
Michelangelo
Italian painter and sculptor
1475 – 1564
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
English-Italian poet and translator
1806 – 1861
Philip Sheridan
Irish-American general
1831 – 1888
Lefty Grove
American baseball player
1900 – 1975
Donald Davidson
American philosopher and academic
1917 – 2003
Derek Drouin
Canadian athlete
b. 1990 · 36
Music
The number one songs on March 6
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Not Like Us"— Kendrick Lamar
- 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 6, 1987
Mike Tyson defeats James Smith by unanimous decision to retain the WBA and WBC heavyweight titles
Fighting in Las Vegas, Tyson dominated Smith over twelve rounds in his first title defense of 1987. The bout was notable for Smith's defensive tactics and Tyson's inability to secure a knockout against the durable challenger.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 6, 1912
Italo-Turkish War: Italian forces become the first to use airships in war, as two dirigibles drop bombs on Turkish troops encamped at Janzur, from an altitude of 1,800 m.
Italian forces deploy airships for the first time in warfare, dropping bombs on Turkish troops at Janzur from a height of 1,800 meters.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
European Day of the Righteous, commemorates those who have stood up against crimes against humanity and totalitarianism with their own moral responsibility. (Europe)
International
The European Day of the Righteous is a celebration established in 2012 by the European Parliament to commemorate those who have stood up against crimes against humanity and totalitarianism with their
Norfolk Island Foundation Day, the founding of Norfolk Island in 1788.
International
Foundation Day is an annual public holiday in Norfolk Island commemorating the arrival of the original British settlers on 6 March 1788
Independence Day (Ghana), celebrates the independence of Ghana from the UK in 1957.
International
The Independence Day of Ghana is a national holiday celebrated yearly
❝
Freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience.
— Coretta Scott King · born March 6, 1927