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
May 1 Friday, May 1, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 1 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
War 357 years ago
Henry Morgan's raid on Lake Maracaibo: the Spanish Armada de Barlovento is defeated by an English Privateer fleet led by Captain Henry Morgan.
Captain Henry Morgan's privateer fleet defeats the Spanish Armada de Barlovento, enabling his escape from Lake Maracaibo with plundered treasure.
History
What happened on May 1
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 305World history
Diocletian and Maximian retire from the office of Roman emperor.
Diocletian and Maximian step down, ending nearly two decades of joint rule in the tetrarchy system.
- 418Religion
A synod in Carthage condemns Pelagianism.
The Synod of Carthage condemns Pelagianism, a theological doctrine that emphasizes the role of human free will in salvation.
- 880Religion
The Nea Ekklesia is inaugurated in Constantinople, setting the model for all later cross-in-square Orthodox churches.
The Nea Ekklesia is inaugurated in Constantinople, establishing the architectural template for future Orthodox churches.
- 1169UK history
Norman mercenaries land at Bannow Bay in Leinster, marking the beginning of the Norman invasion of Ireland.
Norman mercenaries led by Richard de Clare, also known as Strongbow, land at Bannow Bay, initiating the Norman conquest of Ireland.
- 1328UK history
Wars of Scottish Independence end: By the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, England recognises Scotland as an independent state.
England recognizes Scotland as an independent kingdom under the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton, ending decades of conflict in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
- 1455UK history
Scottish Royal forces loyal to King James II defeat a rebel army of the Black Douglases in the battle of Arkinholm.
King James II's royal forces defeat the Black Douglas rebels at the Battle of Arkinholm.
- 1492European history
The Edict of Expulsion is officially proclaimed in Castile, requiring all Jewish residents to leave within three months.
King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella issue the Edict of Expulsion, decreeing that all Jewish residents must leave Castile within three months.
- 1669War
Henry Morgan's raid on Lake Maracaibo: the Spanish Armada de Barlovento is defeated by an English Privateer fleet led by Captain Henry Morgan.
Captain Henry Morgan's privateer fleet defeats the Spanish Armada de Barlovento, enabling his escape from Lake Maracaibo with plundered treasure.
- 1707UK history
The Act of Union joining England and Scotland to form the Kingdom of Great Britain takes effect.
England and Scotland are united to form the Kingdom of Great Britain.
- 1753Science
Publication of Species Plantarum by Linnaeus, and the formal start date of plant taxonomy adopted by the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature.
Linnaeus publishes "Species Plantarum," establishing the foundation for modern plant taxonomy.
- 1865World history
The Empire of Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay sign the Treaty of the Triple Alliance.
Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay sign the Treaty of the Triple Alliance, forming an alliance against Paraguay.
- 1931US history
The Empire State Building is dedicated in New York City.
President Herbert Hoover officially opens the Empire State Building, which at 1,250 feet becomes the world's tallest building.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 1
7 this date All birthdays
Rudolf I of Germany
Rudolf I of Germany, the nobleman who became the first Habsburg King of the Romans in 1273 and expanded his family's power through strategic marriages and military campaigns, turns 1,806 today.
Born
1218
Died
1291
Benjamin Henry Latrobe
English-American architect, designed the United States Capitol
1764 – 1820
Kate Smith
American singer and actress
1907 – 1986
Vladimir Colin
Romanian journalist and author
1921 – 1991
Sonny James
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
1928 – 2016
Sonny Ramadhin
Trinidadian cricketer
1929 – 2022
Cuauhtémoc Cárdenas
Mexican politician
b. 1934 · 92
Music
The number one songs on May 1
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Drop Dead"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Too Sweet"— Hozier
- 2023"Wish You the Best"— Lewis Capaldi
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"— Lil Nas X
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 1, 1994
Three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna is killed in an accident during the San Marino Grand Prix.
Ayrton Senna dies in a crash at the San Marino Grand Prix.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 1, 1956
The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk is made available to the public.
Jonas Salk's polio vaccine becomes available to the public, offering hope for preventing the paralyzing disease.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Mauritania)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Constitution Day (Argentina, Latvia, Marshall Islands)
International
Constitution Day is a holiday to honour the constitution of a country
Commemoration of the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat following the foundation of Samyukta Maharashtra Samiti (India): Maharashtra Day
International
Maharashtra Day is a state holiday in the Indian state of Maharashtra, commemorating the formation of the state of Maharashtra in India from the division of the Bombay State on 1 May 1960
International Sunflower Guerrilla Gardening Day
International
Guerrilla gardening is the act of gardening, raising food, plants, or flowers, on land that gardeners do not have the legal right to cultivate, such as abandoned sites, neglected public spaces, or p
Lei Day (Hawaii)
International
Lei Day is a statewide celebration in Hawaii
International Workers' Day or Labour Day (International), and its related observances: Law Day (United States), formerly intended to counterbalance the celebration of Labour Day. (United States)
International
On May 1 the United States officially recognizes Law Day
❝
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion.
— Thomas Paine · born May 1, 1737