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 4 Monday, May 4, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 4 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
Sports 155 years ago
The National Association, the first professional baseball league, opens its first season in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The National Association, baseball's first professional league, begins its inaugural season with a game in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
History
What happened on May 4
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1256Religion
The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV issues a papal bull Licet ecclesiae catholicae.
Pope Alexander IV establishes the Augustinian monastic order with a papal bull at the Lecceto Monastery.
- 1415Religion
Religious reformer John Wycliffe is condemned as a heretic at the Council of Constance.
John Wycliffe is condemned as a heretic at the Council of Constance for his religious reforms.
- 1471War
Wars of the Roses: The Battle of Tewkesbury: Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian Army and kills Edward of Westminster, Prince of Wales.
Edward IV defeats a Lancastrian army at Tewkesbury, killing Edward of Westminster and securing Yorkist control.
- 1626US history
Having been appointed the director-general of New Netherland, Dutch explorer Peter Minuit arrives in present day Manhattan Island aboard the See Meeuw.
Peter Minuit arrives in present-day Manhattan to serve as the director-general of New Netherland.
- 1738Culture
The Imperial Theatrical School, the first ballet school in Russia, is founded.
The Imperial Theatrical School, Russia's first ballet school, is established.
- 1776US history
Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to renounce allegiance to King George III.
Rhode Island becomes the first American colony to formally renounce allegiance to King George III, two months before the Declaration of Independence.
- 1871Sports
The National Association, the first professional baseball league, opens its first season in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The National Association, baseball's first professional league, begins its inaugural season with a game in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- 1886Crime
Haymarket affair: In Chicago, United States, a homemade bomb is thrown at police officers trying to break up a labor rally, killing one officer. Ensuing gunfire leads to the deaths of a further seven officers and four civilians.
A homemade bomb is thrown at police dispersing a Chicago labor rally, leading to the deaths of eight officers and four civilians in ensuing violence.
- 1904US history
The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.
The United States starts construction of the Panama Canal.
- 1945WWII
World War II: Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg is liberated by the British Army.
The British Army liberates the Neuengamme concentration camp near Hamburg.
- 2002Disaster
One hundred three people are killed and 51 are injured in a plane crash near Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano, Nigeria.
A plane crash near Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano kills 103 and injures 51.
- 2014Crime
Three people are killed and 62 injured in a pair of bombings on buses in Nairobi, Kenya.
Three people are killed and 62 injured when bombs explode on two buses in Nairobi, Kenya.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 4
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 75
Colin Bass
English bass player, songwriter, and producer
Colin Bass, English bass player, songwriter, and producer known for his work with the progressive rock band Camel since 1979, turns 74 today.
Born
1951
Turns 75
today
Tyagaraja
Indian composer
1767 – 1847
Ronnie Aird
English cricketer and administrator
1902 – 1986
Edo Murtić
Croatian painter, sculptor, and illustrator
1921 – 2005
Eric Sykes
British actor and comedian
1923 – 2012
Carlos Monsiváis
Mexican journalist, author, and critic
1938 – 2010
Dawn Staley
American basketball player
b. 1970 · 56
Music
The number one songs on May 4
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2026"Drop Dead"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Fortnight"— Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
- 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 4, 2019
The inaugural all-female motorsport series, W Series, takes place at Hockenheimring. The race was won by Jamie Chadwick, who would go on to become the inaugural series champion.
Jamie Chadwick wins the first W Series race at Hockenheimring and goes on to become the inaugural series champion.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 4, 1989
Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on mission STS-30 to deploy the Venus-bound Magellan space probe.
Atlantis lifts off on a mission to deploy the Magellan spacecraft bound for Venus.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Anti-Bullying Day (United Nations)
International
Pink Shirt Day is an annual event against bullying held in Canada and New Zealand
Bird Day (United States)
International
Bird Day or World Migratory Bird Day is the name of several holidays celebrating birds
Cassinga Day (Namibia)
International
Cassinga Day is a national public holiday in Namibia remembering the Cassinga Massacre
Coal Miners Day (India)
International
People have worked as coal miners for centuries, but they became increasingly important during the Industrial Revolution when coal was burned on a large scale to fuel stationary and locomotive engines
Dave Brubeck Day (United States)
International
David Warren Brubeck was an American jazz pianist and composer
Death of Milan Rastislav Štefánik Day (Slovakia)
International
Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days
❝
There is nothing impossible to him who will try.
— Alexander the Great · born May 4, -356