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 31 Sunday, May 31, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 31 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
4
Holidays
UK history 416 years ago
The pageant London's Love to Prince Henry on the River Thames celebrates the creation of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales.
A grand pageant on the River Thames celebrates the investiture of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales.
History
What happened on May 31
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 455World history
Emperor Petronius Maximus is stoned to death by an angry mob while fleeing Rome.
Emperor Petronius Maximus is killed by an angry mob as he attempts to flee Rome.
- 1223War
Mongol invasion of the Cumans: Battle of the Kalka River: Mongol armies of Genghis Khan led by Subutai defeat Kievan Rus' and Cumans.
Mongol forces under Subutai defeat a combined army of Kievan Rus' princes and Cuman warriors at the Kalka River in present-day Ukraine.
- 1293World history
Mongols depart Java after the failed Mongol invasion against King Kertanegara of Singhasari.
The Mongols withdraw from Java following their unsuccessful campaign against King Kertanegara of Singhasari.
- 1578UK history
King Henry III lays the first stone of the Pont Neuf (New Bridge), the oldest bridge of Paris, France.
King Henry III lays the foundation for the Pont Neuf, Paris's oldest standing bridge.
- 1610UK history
The pageant London's Love to Prince Henry on the River Thames celebrates the creation of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales.
A grand pageant on the River Thames celebrates the investiture of Prince Henry as Prince of Wales.
- 1669UK history
Citing poor eyesight as a reason, Samuel Pepys records the last event in his diary.
Samuel Pepys ends his diary due to poor eyesight, concluding six years of detailed personal and historical accounts.
- 1775US history
American Revolution: The Mecklenburg Resolves are adopted in the Province of North Carolina.
The Mecklenburg Resolves declare independence from British rule, asserting local authority and rejecting royal governance.
- 1790World history
Manuel Quimper explores the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Manuel Quimper navigates the Strait of Juan de Fuca, mapping the coastline for Spanish exploration.
- 1859UK history
The clock tower at the Houses of Parliament, which houses Big Ben, starts keeping time.
The Great Clock in the tower at the Houses of Parliament begins keeping time, with its massive hour bell soon to be known as Big Ben.
- 1864War
American Civil War: Overland Campaign: Battle of Cold Harbor: The Army of Northern Virginia engages the Army of the Potomac.
The Army of Northern Virginia clashes with the Army of the Potomac in the Battle of Cold Harbor during the Overland Campaign of the American Civil War.
- 1911Politics
The President of Mexico Porfirio Díaz flees the country during the Mexican Revolution.
Porfirio Díaz leaves Mexico as revolutionaries advance, ending his long presidency.
- 2013Disaster
A record breaking 2.6 mile wide tornado strikes near El Reno, Oklahoma, United States, causing eight fatalities (including three storm chasers) and over 150 injuries.
A massive 2.6-mile-wide tornado strikes near El Reno, Oklahoma, causing eight deaths and more than 150 injuries.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 31
7 this date All birthdays
Norman Vincent Peale
American minister and author
Norman Vincent Peale, the American Protestant clergyman who popularized positive thinking through his bestselling book The Power of Positive Thinking (1952), was born today in 1898.
Born
1898
Died
1993
Chien-Shiung Wu
Chinese-American experimental physicist
1912 – 1997
Jean Chalopin
French director, producer, and screenwriter, founded DIC Entertainment
b. 1950 · 76
Corey Hart
Canadian singer-songwriter and producer
b. 1962 · 64
Wesley Willis
American singer-songwriter and keyboard player
1963 – 2003
Jordy Nelson
American football player
b. 1985 · 41
Waka Flocka Flame
American rapper
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on May 31
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 31, 2008
Usain Bolt breaks the world record in the 100m sprint, with a wind-legal (+1.7 m/s) 9.72 seconds.
Usain Bolt sets a new world record in the 100m sprint with a time of 9.72 seconds at a wind speed of +1.7 m/s.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 31, 2013
The asteroid 1998 QE2 and its moon make their closest approach to Earth for the next two centuries.
The asteroid 1998 QE2 and its moon pass within 5.8 million kilometers of Earth, the closest approach until 2719.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Anniversary of Royal Brunei Malay Regiment (Brunei)
International
The Royal Brunei Land Force (RBLF), natively known as Tentera Darat Diraja Brunei (TDDB) is the land component of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF) or Angkatan Bersenjata Diraja Brunei (ABDB)
Kaamatan, harvest festival in the state of Sabah and the federal territory of Labuan (Malaysia)
International
Kaamatan is a form of harvest festival celebrated on 30 and 31 May annually in the state of Sabah in Malaysia
World No Tobacco Day (International)
International
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed around the world every year on 31 May
Borobi Day (Australia)
International
Borobi was the official mascot of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia