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 11 Monday, May 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 11 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
0
Holidays
Disaster 73 years ago
In the deadliest of a series of tornadoes, an F5 tornado kills 114 in Waco, Texas.
An F5 tornado devastates Waco, Texas, claiming 114 lives in the deadliest tornado of the year.
History
What happened on May 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 330World history
Constantine the Great dedicates the much-expanded and rebuilt city of Byzantium, changing its name to New Rome and declaring it the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Constantine the Great renames Byzantium to New Rome and establishes it as the new capital of the Eastern Roman Empire.
- 868World history
A copy of the Diamond Sūtra is published, the earliest dated and printed book known.
A copy of the Diamond Sūtra is published, becoming the oldest known dated and printed book.
- 973UK history
In the first coronation ceremony ever held for an English monarch, Edgar the Peaceful is crowned King of England, having ruled since 959 AD. His wife, Ælfthryth, is crowned queen, the first recorded coronation for a Queen of England.
Edgar the Peaceful and his wife Ælfthryth are crowned in England's first recorded coronation ceremony for a monarch and queen consort, though Edgar has ruled since 959.
- 1068Royalty
Matilda of Flanders, wife of William the Conqueror, is crowned Queen of England.
Matilda of Flanders is crowned Queen of England, becoming the first queen consort to be officially recognized in her own right.
- 1258Royalty
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon sign the Treaty of Corbeil, renouncing claims of feudal overlordship in one another's territories and separating the House of Barcelona from the politics of France.
Louis IX of France and James I of Aragon sign the Treaty of Corbeil, ending their territorial disputes and separating the House of Barcelona from French politics.
- 1560War
The Ottoman naval forces inflict a defeat on a Spanish fleet in the battle of Djerba. This marks the highpoint of Ottoman naval dominance in the Mediterranean, which starts declining five years later after the failed siege of Malta.
The Ottoman navy defeats a Spanish fleet in the Battle of Djerba, marking the peak of Ottoman maritime power before its decline.
- 1713War
Great Northern War: After losing the Battle of Helsinki to the Russians, the Swedish and Finnish troops burn the entire city, so that it would not remain intact in the hands of the Russians.
Swedish and Finnish forces burn Helsinki after losing a battle to Russian troops.
- 1857War
Indian Rebellion of 1857: Indian rebels seize Delhi from the British.
Indian rebels capture Delhi from British forces, marking a major escalation in the uprising against East India Company rule.
- 1858US history
Minnesota becomes the 32nd U.S. state.
Minnesota joins the Union as the 32nd U.S. state.
- 1953Disaster
In the deadliest of a series of tornadoes, an F5 tornado kills 114 in Waco, Texas.
An F5 tornado devastates Waco, Texas, claiming 114 lives in the deadliest tornado of the year.
- 1970Disaster
The 1970 Lubbock tornado kills 26 and causes $250 million in damage.
A devastating tornado strikes Lubbock, killing 26 people and causing $250 million in damage.
- 2022War
The Burmese military executes at least 37 villagers during the Mon Taing Pin massacre in Sagaing, Myanmar.
The Burmese military executes at least 37 villagers in the Mon Taing Pin massacre in Sagaing.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 11
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 62
Tim Blake Nelson
American actor
Tim Blake Nelson, the character actor known for Delmar O'Donnell in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and roles in Minority Report and Holes, turns 62 today.
Born
1964
Turns 62
today
Jiddu Krishnamurti
Indian philosopher and speaker
1895 – 1986
Charlie Gehringer
American baseball player and manager
1903 – 1993
Phil Silvers
American actor and comedian
1911 – 1985
Richard Feynman
American physicist and engineer, Nobel Prize laureate
1918 – 1988
Jim Jeffords
American lawyer and politician
1934 – 2014
Steven Sotloff
American-Israeli journalist
1983 – 2014
Music
The number one songs on May 11
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Rein Me In"— Sam Fender and Olivia Dean
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Miracle"— Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding
- 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 11, 1997
Deep Blue, a chess-playing supercomputer, defeats Garry Kasparov in the last game of the rematch, becoming the first computer to beat a world-champion chess player in a classic match format.
Deep Blue defeats Garry Kasparov in their final match, marking the first time a computer beats a world champion in classical chess.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 11, 2009
Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on the final mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.
Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on the last mission to repair and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
0 celebrated today
World Turtle Day
International
Raising awareness for turtle and tortoise conservation.
Lucky Penny Day
United States
Pick one up — your luck for the day.
Labour Day
Jamaica
Public holiday since 1961.
Declaration of Independence Day
South Sudan
National observance.
❝
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
— Albert Camus · born May 11, 1913