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 13 Monday, April 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 13 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
1455
War 571 years ago
Thirteen Years' War: the beginning of the Battle for Kneiphof.
The Battle for Kneiphof begins as Prussian forces clash with the Teutonic Knights during the Thirteen Years' War.
History
What happened on April 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 989War
The death of Bardas Phokas the Younger in the battle of Abydos ends his second rebellion against Byzantine Emperor Basil II.
Bardas Phokas the Younger dies in the Battle of Abydos, ending his second rebellion against Byzantine Emperor Basil II.
- 1055Religion
Election of Pope Victor II following the death of Pope Leo IX in the previous year.
Victor II is elected pope, succeeding Leo IX who died the previous year.
- 1111European history
Henry V, King of Germany, is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by pope Paschal II.
Henry V, King of Germany, is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Paschal II in Rome.
- 1175War
Saladin routs his Muslim opponents, the Zengids, in the battle of the Horns of Hama, consolidating his control over Syria except for Aleppo.
Saladin defeats the Zengid forces at the Horns of Hama, solidifying his rule over most of Syria.
- 1204European history
Constantinople falls to the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, temporarily ending the Byzantine Empire.
Constantinople is captured by the Crusaders of the Fourth Crusade, marking a temporary end to the Byzantine Empire.
- 1455War
Thirteen Years' War: the beginning of the Battle for Kneiphof.
The Battle for Kneiphof begins as Prussian forces clash with the Teutonic Knights during the Thirteen Years' War.
- 1612War
Samurai Miyamoto Musashi defeats Sasaki Kojirō in a duel at Funajima island.
Miyamoto Musashi defeats Sasaki Kojirō in a legendary duel on Funajima island, establishing himself as Japan's greatest swordsman.
- 1699Religion
The Sikh religion is formalised as the Khalsa, the brotherhood of Warrior-Saints, by Guru Gobind Singh in northern India, in accordance with the Nanakshahi calendar.
Guru Gobind Singh establishes the Khalsa, formalizing the Sikh religion as a brotherhood of Warrior-Saints.
- 1742Culture
George Frideric Handel's oratorio Messiah makes its world premiere in Dublin, Ireland.
Handel's oratorio "Messiah" premieres in Dublin, featuring the famous "Hallelujah" chorus.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: American forces are ambushed and defeated in the Battle of Bound Brook, New Jersey.
American forces suffer a defeat when they are ambushed by British troops in the Battle of Bound Brook.
- 1829UK history
The Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 gives Roman Catholics in the United Kingdom the right to vote and to sit in Parliament.
The Roman Catholic Relief Act grants Catholics in the United Kingdom the right to vote and sit in Parliament, ending centuries of legal discrimination.
- 1909World history
The 31 March Incident leads to the overthrow of Sultan Abdul Hamid II.
Sultan Abdul Hamid II is overthrown following the 31 March Incident.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 13
7 this date All birthdays
Thomas Wentworth
1st Earl of Strafford, English soldier and politician, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford, the English statesman who served as Lord Deputy of Ireland and became a major figure in the period leading to the English Civil War, was born in 1593.
Born
1593
Died
1641
Thomas D'Arcy McGee
Irish-Canadian journalist and politician
1825 – 1868
John Cameron
Scottish international footballer and manager
1872 – 1935
Edward Bruce
American lawyer and painter
1879 – 1943
Samuel Beckett
Irish novelist, poet, and playwright, Nobel Prize laureate
1906 – 1989
Ron Perlman
American actor
b. 1950 · 76
Baron Davis
American basketball player
b. 1979 · 47
Music
The number one songs on April 13
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 13, 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 13, 1997
Tiger Woods becomes the youngest golfer to win the Masters Tournament.
Tiger Woods wins the Masters Tournament at age 21, becoming the youngest player ever to achieve this feat.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 13, 1960
The United States launches Transit 1-B, the world's first satellite navigation system.
The United States launches Transit 1-B,开创全球卫星导航系统的先河。请注意，这句话已经是中文了，如果需要英文版本，请告知。 For English: The United States launches Transit 1-B, establishing the world's first satellite navigation system.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Songkran Songkran (Thailand)
International
Thai New Year, also known as Songkran, or the Songkran Festival, is the Thai New Year's national holiday
Songkran Water-Sprinkling Festival
International
The Water-Sprinkling Festival or Water-Splashing Festival, is a major and traditional festival of the Dai ethnic group marking the New Year
Vaisakhi (between 1902 and 2011)
International
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi or Mesadi or Basoa, marks the first day of the month of Vaisakh and is traditionally celebrated annually on 13 April or 14 April