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
April 11 Saturday, April 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 11 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
1876
US history 150 years ago
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is organized.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a major American fraternal organization, is founded in New York City by a group of actors and entertainers.
History
What happened on April 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 491European history
Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine emperor, with the name of Anastasius I.
Flavius Anastasius ascends to the Byzantine throne as Emperor Anastasius I.
- 672Religion
Consecration of Pope Adeodatus II following the death of Pope Vitalian.
Pope Adeodatus II is consecrated as pope following the death of Pope Vitalian.
- 1241War
Batu Khan defeats Béla IV of Hungary at the Battle of Mohi.
Batu Khan defeats Béla IV of Hungary at the Battle of Mohi, marking a significant Mongol victory in Europe.
- 1512War
War of the League of Cambrai: Franco-Ferrarese forces led by Gaston de Foix and Alfonso I d'Este win the Battle of Ravenna against the Papal-Spanish forces.
Franco-Ferrarese forces led by Gaston de Foix and Alfonso I d'Este defeat Papal-Spanish troops in the Battle of Ravenna during the War of the League of Cambrai.
- 1544War
Italian War of 1542-46: A French army defeats Habsburg forces at the Battle of Ceresole, but fails to exploit its victory.
A French army defeats Habsburg forces at the Battle of Ceresole in northern Italy but fails to capitalize on the victory.
- 1689UK history
William III and Mary II are crowned as joint sovereigns of Great Britain on the same day that the Scottish Parliament concurs with the English decision of 12 February.
William III and Mary II are crowned joint sovereigns of Great Britain; the Scottish Parliament agrees to recognize them as such.
- 1713European history
France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Utrecht, bringing an end to the War of the Spanish Succession (Queen Anne's War). Britain accepts Philip V as King of Spain, while Philip renounces any claim to the French throne.
France and Great Britain sign the Treaty of Utrecht, ending the War of the Spanish Succession with Britain accepting Philip V as Spain's king and Philip renouncing his claim to the French throne.
- 1727Pop culture
Premiere of Johann Sebastian Bach's St Matthew Passion BWV 244b at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Electorate of Saxony (now Germany).
Johann Sebastian Bach premieres his St Matthew Passion at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
- 1868World history
Former shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu surrenders Edo Castle to Imperial forces, marking the end of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Tokugawa Yoshinobu surrenders Edo Castle to Imperial forces, ending the Tokugawa shogunate.
- 1876US history
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is organized.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a major American fraternal organization, is founded in New York City by a group of actors and entertainers.
- 1981Crime
A massive riot in Brixton, south London, results in almost 300 police injuries and 65 serious civilian injuries.
A violent riot in Brixton, south London, leads to nearly 300 police injuries and 65 serious civilian injuries.
- 2002Politics
Over two hundred thousand people march in Caracas towards the presidential palace to demand the resignation of President Hugo Chávez. Nineteen protesters are killed.
Protesters march on Caracas toward the presidential palace, demanding Hugo Chávez's resignation; nineteen die in the unrest.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 11
7 this date All birthdays
Roger Mortimer
4th Earl of March, heir to the throne of England
Roger de Mortimer, 4th Earl of March and heir presumptive to King Richard II through his descent from Edward III, was born in 1374 and died in 1398.
Born
1374
Died
1398
Marie Jeanne Baptiste of Savoy-Nemours
Duchess of Savoy
1644 – 1724
Bill Irwin
American actor and clown
b. 1950 · 76
Kotomitsuki Keiji
Japanese sumo wrestler
b. 1976 · 50
Mark Teixeira
American baseball player
b. 1980 · 46
Jennifer Heil
Canadian skier
b. 1983 · 43
Joss Stone
English singer-songwriter and actress[citation needed]
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on April 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 11, 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 April 11, 2001
The Australia national men's soccer team sets a world record for the largest victory in an international association football match, winning the game 31-0 against American Samoa at the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers for OFC. Australia's Archie Thompson also breaks the record for most goals scored by a player in an international match by scoring 13 goals.
Australia defeats American Samoa 31-0, setting records for largest victory and most goals scored by Archie Thompson in a single match.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 11, 1976
The Apple I is created.
Steve Wozniak builds the Apple I, one of the first personal computers to be sold as a ready-made product.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Juan Santamaría Day, anniversary of his death in the Second Battle of Rivas. (Costa Rica)
International
The following are the national public holidays of Costa Rica
International Louie Louie Day
International
"Louie Louie" is a rhythm and blues song written, composed, and recorded by American musician Richard Berry in 1956 and released in 1957
World Parkinson's Day
International
Parkinson's disease (PD), or simply Parkinson's, is a neurodegenerative disease primarily of the central nervous system, affecting both motor and non-motor systems