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 25 Monday, May 25, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on May 25 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
1787
US history 239 years ago
After a delay of 11 days, the United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after a quorum of seven states is secured.
The Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after seven states achieve quorum, beginning the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
History
What happened on May 25
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -567World history
Servius Tullius, the king of Rome, celebrates a triumph for his victory over the Etruscans.
Servius Tullius celebrates a triumph for defeating the Etruscans, marking a significant military achievement.
- -240Science
First recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet.
Halley's Comet makes its first recorded approach to the Sun, observed by Chinese astronomers.
- 1085European history
Alfonso VI of Castile takes Toledo, Spain, back from the Moors.
Alfonso VI of Castile recaptures Toledo from Moorish rule, a pivotal victory in the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula.
- 1420European history
Henry the Navigator is appointed governor of the Order of Christ.
Henry the Navigator becomes governor of the Order of Christ, a wealthy Portuguese military order whose resources will fund his pioneering maritime expeditions.
- 1521Religion
The Diet of Worms ends when Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
Charles V issues the Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw, marking the end of the Diet of Worms.
- 1644World history
Ming general Wu Sangui forms an alliance with the invading Manchus and opens the gates of the Great Wall of China at Shanhaiguan pass, letting the Manchus through towards the capital Beijing.
Wu Sangui allies with the Manchus, opening the Shanhaiguan pass to allow their advance toward Beijing.
- 1659UK history
Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector of England following the restoration of the Long Parliament, beginning a second brief period of the republican government called the Commonwealth of England.
Richard Cromwell resigns as Lord Protector, leading to the restoration of the Long Parliament and a second Commonwealth period.
- 1738US history
A treaty between Pennsylvania and Maryland ends the Conojocular War with settlement of a boundary dispute and exchange of prisoners.
A treaty resolves the Conojocular War between Pennsylvania and Maryland, settling a boundary dispute and exchanging prisoners.
- 1787US history
After a delay of 11 days, the United States Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after a quorum of seven states is secured.
The Constitutional Convention formally convenes in Philadelphia after seven states achieve quorum, beginning the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.
- 1809US history
Chuquisaca Revolution: Patriot revolt in Chuquisaca (modern-day Sucre) against the Spanish Empire, sparking the Latin American wars of independence.
Patriots in Chuquisaca rise up against Spanish rule, igniting the Latin American wars of independence.
- 1895Culture
Playwright, poet and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison.
Oscar Wilde is convicted of homosexual offenses and sentenced to two years in prison.
- 1938War
Spanish Civil War: The bombing of Alicante kills 313 people.
Alicante is bombed during the Spanish Civil War, resulting in 313 deaths.
Born today
Famous birthdays on May 25
7 this date All birthdays
Enrico Berlinguer
Italian politician
Enrico Berlinguer, the Italian politician who led the Italian Communist Party from 1972 until his death in 1984, was born today in 1922.
Born
1922
Died
1984
John Mott
American evangelist and saint, Nobel Prize laureate
1865 – 1955
Igor Sikorsky
Russian-American aircraft designer, founded Sikorsky Aircraft
1889 – 1972
Alan Kippax
Australian cricketer
1897 – 1972
Paul Weller
English singer, songwriter and musician
b. 1958 · 68
Ezekiel Kemboi
Kenyan runner
b. 1982 · 44
Shawne Merriman
American football player
b. 1984 · 42
Music
The number one songs on May 25
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on May 25, 1981
"Stand and Deliver"
by Adam and the Ants
The dandy highwayman spent five weeks at the top — a brash, glam-pop coronation.
#1 for 5 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 1965"Ticket To Ride"— The Beatles
- 1972"Metal Guru"— T. Rex
- 2003"Make Luv"— Room 5 ft. Oliver Cheatham
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport May 25, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science May 25, 2012
The SpaceX Dragon 1 becomes the first commercial spacecraft to successfully rendezvous and berth with the International Space Station.
The SpaceX Dragon 1 achieves the historic feat of becoming the first commercial spacecraft to dock with the International Space Station.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Africa Day (African Union)
International
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on 25 May 1963
African Liberation Day (African Union, Rastafari)
International
Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on 25 May 1963
First National Government / National Day (Argentina)
International
First National Government is a public holiday of Argentina, commemorating the May Revolution and the creation of the Primera Junta on 25 May 1810, which is considered the first patriotic government of
Geek Pride Day (geek culture)
International
Geek Pride Day is an initiative to promote geek culture, celebrated annually on May 25
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Jordan from the United Kingdom in 1946.
International
Independence Day is an event in Jordan marking its 1946 independence from the United Kingdom
Last bell (Russia, post-Soviet countries)
International
The last bell is a traditional ceremony in the schools of some Eastern European countries