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 7 Thursday, May 7, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 7 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
3
Holidays
351
Religion 1675 years ago
The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out after his arrival at Antioch.
A Jewish revolt erupts in the Galilee region after Caesar Constantius Gallus arrives in Antioch to govern the eastern Roman Empire.
History
What happened on May 7
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 351Religion
The Jewish revolt against Constantius Gallus breaks out after his arrival at Antioch.
A Jewish revolt erupts in the Galilee region after Caesar Constantius Gallus arrives in Antioch to govern the eastern Roman Empire.
- 558European history
In Constantinople, the dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses, twenty years after its construction. Justinian I immediately orders that the dome be rebuilt.
The dome of the Hagia Sophia collapses; Justinian I promptly orders its reconstruction.
- 1104War
The Seljuk emirs of Mosul and Mardin defeat the Crusader States of Antioch and Edessa.
The Seljuk emirs of Mosul and Mardin defeat the Crusader states of Antioch and Edessa in a significant military victory.
- 1190European history
The Crusader army of emperor Frederick Barbarossa defeats an army of the Rum Seljuks in the battle of Philomelion.
Frederick Barbarossa's Crusader army defeats the Rum Seljuk forces in the Battle of Philomelion.
- 1274Religion
In France, the Second Council of Lyon opens; it ratified a decree to regulate the election of the Pope.
The Second Council of Lyon ratifies a decree regulating the election of the Pope.
- 1342Religion
In Avignon, France, Cardinal Pierre Roger is elected Pope and takes the name Clement VI.
Cardinal Pierre Roger is elected pope in Avignon and takes the name Clement VI.
- 1487War
The Siege of Málaga commences during the Spanish Reconquista.
Christian forces under Ferdinand and Isabella begin their siege of Málaga, a pivotal campaign in the final decade of the Spanish Reconquista.
- 1544UK history
The Burning of Edinburgh by an English army is the first action of the Rough Wooing.
An English army burns Edinburgh, marking the start of the Rough Wooing conflict.
- 1664European history
Inaugural celebrations begin at Louis XIV's new Palace of Versailles.
Celebrations commence at the newly constructed Palace of Versailles for the coronation of King Louis XIV.
- 1697Disaster
Stockholm's medieval castle Tre Kronor is destroyed by fire. It is replaced in the 18th century by the current Royal Palace.
A fire destroys Stockholm's medieval castle Tre Kronor, later replaced by the current Royal Palace in the 18th century.
- 1798War
French Revolutionary Wars: A French force attempting to dislodge a small British garrison on the Îles Saint-Marcouf is repulsed with heavy losses.
A French force fails to dislodge a small British garrison from the Îles Saint-Marcouf, suffering heavy losses in the attempt.
- 1895Science
In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector, a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day.
Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates his lightning detector, a primitive radio receiver, to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society; in some regions it marks the beginning of Radio Day.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 7
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 58
Lisa Raitt
Canadian lawyer and politician, 30th Canadian Minister of Transport
Lisa Raitt, a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as Minister of Transport and held other Cabinet positions including Natural Resources and Labour, turns 57 today.
Born
1968
Turns 58
today
Dorothy Sunrise Lorentino
Native American teacher
1909 – 2005
Eva Perón
Argentinian actress, 25th First Lady of Argentina
1919 – 1952
Dick Williams
American baseball player, coach, and manager
1929 – 2011
Derek Taylor
English journalist and author
1932 – 1997
Tim Russert
American television journalist and lawyer
1950 – 2008
Earl Thomas
American football player
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on May 7
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"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 7, 1954
Roger Bannister breaks the four-minute mile barrier at Iffley Road Track in Oxford
Running for the Amateur Athletic Association against Oxford University, Bannister completed the mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds, becoming the first person to run a sub-four-minute mile. Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway served as pacemakers in the historic race.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 7, 1952
The concept of the integrated circuit, the basis for all modern computers, is first published by Geoffrey Dummer.
Geoffrey Dummer publishes the concept of the integrated circuit, laying the foundation for modern computing technology.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Defender of the Fatherland Day (Kazakhstan)
International
Defender of the Fatherland Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on May 7, commemorating the founding of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan
Dien Bien Phu Victory Day (Vietnam)
International
Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work
Radio Day, commemorating the work of Alexander Popov (Russia, Bulgaria)
International
Radio Day, Communications Workers' Day or Radio and Television Day is a commemoration of the development of radio in Russia
❝
The wireless telegraph is not difficult to understand. The ordinary telegraph is like a very long cat. You pull the tail in New York, and it meows in Los Angeles. The wireless is the same, only without the cat.
— Albert Einstein · born May 7, 1879