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
November 28 Saturday, November 28, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 28 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
1470
War 556 years ago
Champa-Đại Việt War: Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt formally launches his attack against Champa.
Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt launches a military campaign against the kingdom of Champa, beginning a conflict that will reshape the region.
History
What happened on November 28
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 587UK history
Treaty of Andelot: King Guntram of Burgundy recognizes Childebert II as his heir.
King Guntram of Burgundy recognizes Childebert II as his heir in the Treaty of Andelot.
- 936World history
Shi Jingtang is enthroned as the first emperor of the Later Jin by Emperor Taizong of Liao, following a revolt against Emperor Fei of Later Tang.
Shi Jingtang is enthroned as the first emperor of the Later Jin after a revolt against Emperor Fei of Later Tang.
- 1443European history
Skanderbeg and his forces liberate Kruja in central Albania and raise the Albanian flag.
Skanderbeg liberates Kruja and raises the Albanian flag, marking a pivotal moment in Albanian resistance against Ottoman rule.
- 1470War
Champa-Đại Việt War: Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt formally launches his attack against Champa.
Emperor Lê Thánh Tông of Đại Việt launches a military campaign against the kingdom of Champa, beginning a conflict that will reshape the region.
- 1520World history
After 38 days, an expedition under the command of Ferdinand Magellan completes the first passage through the Strait of Magellan and enters the Pacific Ocean.
Ferdinand Magellan's expedition exits the Strait of Magellan after 38 days and enters the Pacific Ocean.
- 1582UK history
In Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway pay a £40 (equivalent to £13,818 in 2025) bond in lieu of posting wedding banns, which enables them to marry immediately.
William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway pay a £40 bond, allowing them to marry without prior announcement.
- 1660Science
At Gresham College, twelve men, including Christopher Wren, Robert Boyle, John Wilkins, and Sir Robert Moray decide to found what is later known as the Royal Society.
Twelve men, including Christopher Wren and Robert Boyle, meet at Gresham College to establish what will become the Royal Society.
- 1666UK history
At least 3,000 men of the Royal Scots Army led by Tam Dalyell of the Binns defeat about 900 Covenanter insurgents led by James Wallace of Auchens in the Battle of Rullion Green.
Tam Dalyell leads the Royal Scots Army to victory over Covenanter rebels at the Battle of Rullion Green.
- 1785US history
The first Treaty of Hopewell is signed, by which the United States acknowledges Cherokee lands in what is now East Tennessee.
The United States signs the first Treaty of Hopewell, recognizing Cherokee territorial rights in present-day East Tennessee.
- 1798US history
Trade between the United States and modern-day Uruguay begins when John Leamy's frigate John arrives in Montevideo.
Trade between the United States and Uruguay begins as John Leamy's frigate John docks in Montevideo.
- 1843World history
Ka Lā Hui (Hawaiian Independence Day): The Kingdom of Hawaii is officially recognized by the United Kingdom and France as an independent nation.
The Kingdom of Hawaii is officially recognized as an independent nation by the United Kingdom and France.
- 1983Technology
Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on STS-9, the first mission to carry the European Space Agency's Spacelab module.
Space Shuttle Columbia launches on mission STS-9, carrying the European Space Agency's Spacelab module for the first time.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 28
7 this date All birthdays
Dawn Powell
American author and playwright
Dawn Powell, American novelist and playwright known for her acerbic satirical prose, was born today in 1896 (died 1965).
Born
1896
Died
1965
Hong Taiji
Emperor of China
1592 – 1643
Edward Hyde
3rd Earl of Clarendon, English soldier and politician, 14th Colonial Governor of New York
1661 – 1723
Alberto Moravia
Italian journalist and author
1907 – 1990
Peeter Järvelaid
Estonian historian and scholar
b. 1957 · 69
Alan Ritchson
American actor, model, singer, and songwriter
b. 1982 · 44
Trey Songz
American R&B singer-songwriter and actor
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on November 28
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"The Fate of Ophelia"— Taylor Swift
- 2024"That's So True"— Gracie Abrams
- 2023"Lovin on Me"— Jack Harlow
- 2022"Anti-Hero"— Taylor Swift
- 2021"Easy on Me"— Adele
- 2020"Positions"— Ariana Grande
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport November 28, 1929
Ernie Nevers scores 40 points as Chicago Cardinals defeat Chicago Bears 40-6
Nevers scored six rushing touchdowns and kicked four extra points in a Thanksgiving Day game at Comiskey Park. His 40-point performance remains an NFL single-game scoring record that has stood for nearly a century.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 28, 1967
The first pulsar (PSR B1919+21, in the constellation of Vulpecula) is discovered by two astronomers Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish.
Jocelyn Bell Burnell and Antony Hewish discover the first pulsar, PSR B1919+21, in the constellation Vulpecula.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Independence Day, celebrating the independence of Albania from Turkey in 1912, the first Albanian flag raise by Skanderbeg in 1443, and for the new parliamentary constitution in 1998.
International
Independence Day is a public holiday in Albania observed on 28 November
Bedfordshire day is celebrated in the county of Bedfordshire to celebrate the birth of John Bunyan
International
County days in the United Kingdom are relatively recent observances, formed to celebrate the cultural heritage of a particular British county
Bukovina Day (Romania)
International
Bukovina Day is a holiday of Romania celebrated every 28 November that commemorates the decision of the General Congress of Bukovina to unite the region of Bukovina with the Kingdom of Romania on 28 N
Heroes' Day (Sri Lanka)
International
Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day may refer to a number of commemorations of national heroes in different countries and territories
Hōonkō (Japan)
International
Hōonkō (報恩講) is a holiday in the Jodo Shinshu tradition of Buddhism which commemorates the death of its founder, Shinran Shonin
Independence Day (Mauritania), celebrate the independence of Mauritania from France in 1960.
International
Below is a list of holidays in Mauritania
❝
The human comedy is always tragic, but since its ingredients are always the same, horrible triumph, horrible defeat, over and over again, we can't bear it, and we laugh.
— Dawn Powell · born November 28, 1896