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 29 Friday, May 29, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 29 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
War 793 years ago
Mongol-Jin war: The Mongols entered Kaifeng after a successful siege and began looting in the fallen capital of the Jin dynasty.
The Mongols entered Kaifeng following a successful siege, looting the fallen capital of the Jin dynasty.
History
What happened on May 29
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 363War
The Roman emperor Julian defeats the Sasanian army in the Battle of Ctesiphon, under the walls of the Sasanian capital, but is unable to take the city.
Julian defeats the Sasanian army at Ctesiphon but fails to capture the city.
- 526Disaster
A catastrophic earthquake hits Antioch, killing several thousands including patriarch Euphrasius.
A devastating earthquake strikes Antioch, claiming thousands of lives and ending the tenure of Patriarch Euphrasius.
- 757Religion
Election of pope Paul I following the death of pope Stephen II in the previous month.
Paul I is elected pope following the death of Stephen II.
- 1108War
Battle of Uclés: Almoravid troops under the command of Tamim ibn Yusuf defeat a Castile and León alliance under the command of Prince Sancho Alfónsez.
Almoravid forces led by Tamim ibn Yusuf defeat a Castilian-Leonese coalition commanded by Prince Sancho Alfónsez at the Battle of Uclés.
- 1167European history
Battle of Monte Porzio: A Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel.
A Roman army supporting Pope Alexander III is defeated by Christian of Buch and Rainald of Dassel in the Battle of Monte Porzio.
- 1233War
Mongol-Jin war: The Mongols entered Kaifeng after a successful siege and began looting in the fallen capital of the Jin dynasty.
The Mongols entered Kaifeng following a successful siege, looting the fallen capital of the Jin dynasty.
- 1328UK history
Philip VI is crowned King of France.
Philip VI is crowned King of France, marking the beginning of the House of Valois' reign.
- 1416War
Battle of Gallipoli: The Venetians under Pietro Loredan defeat a much larger Ottoman fleet off Gallipoli.
Pietro Loredan leads a Venetian fleet to victory over a much larger Ottoman force in the Dardanelles near Gallipoli.
- 1453European history
Fall of Constantinople: Ottoman armies under Sultan Mehmed II capture Constantinople after a 53-day siege, ending the Roman Empire after over 2,000 years.
Ottoman forces led by Sultan Mehmed II conquer Constantinople, marking the end of the Roman Empire.
- 1555World history
The Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire sign a peace treaty to end the Ottoman-Safavid War of 1532-1555.
The Ottoman and Safavid empires sign a peace treaty, ending their long war.
- 1660UK history
English Restoration: Charles II is restored to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland.
Charles II returns to reclaim the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland, marking the beginning of the Restoration era.
- 1780War
American Revolutionary War: At the Waxhaws Massacre, the British continue attacking after the Continentals lay down their arms, killing 113 and critically wounding all but 53 that remained.
The British inflict heavy casualties at the Waxhaws Massacre, killing 113 Continental soldiers after they had surrendered.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 29
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 51
Jason Allison
Canadian ice hockey player
Jason Allison, Canadian former NHL centre who played 552 games and served briefly as captain of the Boston Bruins, turns 51 today.
Born
1975
Turns 51
today
Anne
Duchess of Montpensier, French princess
1627 – 1693
Max Brand
American journalist and author
1893 – 1944
Helmuth Rilling
German conductor and educator
1933 – 2026
La Toya Jackson
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1956 · 70
Steve Hanley
Irish-English bass player and songwriter
b. 1959 · 67
Eric Davis
American baseball player
b. 1962 · 64
Music
The number one songs on May 29
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"Body"— Tion Wayne and Russ Millions
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 29, 1982
Falklands War: the British Army defeats the Argentine Army at the Battle of Goose Green.
British forces defeat Argentine troops in the Battle of Goose Green, capturing over 1,000 prisoners.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 29, 1919
Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity is tested (later confirmed) by Arthur Eddington and Andrew Claude de la Cherois Crommelin.
Arthur Eddington and Andrew Claude de la Cherois Crommelin test Albert Einstein's theory of general relativity during a solar eclipse.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Army Day (Argentina)
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
Ascension of Bahá'u'lláh (Baháʼí Faith) (Only if Baháʼí Naw-Rúz falls on March 21 of the Gregorian calendar)
International
The Baháʼí calendar used in the Baháʼí Faith is a solar calendar consisting of nineteen months and four or five intercalary days, with new year at the moment of Northern spring equinox
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers (International)
International
The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, is an international day held annually on May 29, to pay tribute to the men and women who have served and continue to serve in United Nations peace
Oak Apple Day (England), and its related observance: Castleton Garland Day (Castleton)
International
Castleton Garland Day or Garland King Day is held annually on 29 May in the town of Castleton in the Derbyshire Peak District
Veterans Day (Sweden)
International
Veterans Day is observed annually in Sweden on May 29 at the Maritime Museum in Stockholm in honor of people who are or have been serving with the Swedish Armed Forces in international military operat
Democracy Day (Nigeria)
International
Democracy Day is a national public holiday in Nigeria to commemorate the restoration of democracy in 1999, commemorated on 12 June
❝
A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
— Dwight D. Eisenhower · born May 29, 1890