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 19 Sunday, April 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 19 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
0
Holidays
1042
European history 984 years ago
Following the attempt of Byzantine Emperor Michael V Kalaphates to depose his wife and empress Zoe Porphyrogenita, a popular uprising in Constantinople breaks out with the intention to restore her.
A popular uprising erupts in Constantinople to restore Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita after Emperor Michael V Kalaphates attempts to depose her.
History
What happened on April 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 65World history
The freedman Milichus betrays Piso's plot to kill the Emperor Nero and all of the conspirators are arrested.
Milichus, a freedman, exposes Piso’s plot to assassinate Emperor Nero, leading to the arrest of all conspirators.
- 531War
Battle of Callinicum: A Byzantine army under Belisarius is defeated by the Persians at Raqqa (northern Syria).
Belisarius's Byzantine army suffers a defeat against Persian forces near Raqqa in northern Syria.
- 1024Religion
Election of Pope John XIX following the death of his brother Pope Benedict VIII.
Pope John XIX is elected after the death of his brother, Pope Benedict VIII.
- 1042European history
Following the attempt of Byzantine Emperor Michael V Kalaphates to depose his wife and empress Zoe Porphyrogenita, a popular uprising in Constantinople breaks out with the intention to restore her.
A popular uprising erupts in Constantinople to restore Empress Zoe Porphyrogenita after Emperor Michael V Kalaphates attempts to depose her.
- 1529Religion
Beginning of the Protestant Reformation: After the Second Diet of Speyer bans Lutheranism, a group of rulers (German: Fürst) and independent cities protest the reinstatement of the Edict of Worms.
A group of German princes and independent cities protest against the reinstatement of the Edict of Worms, marking the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.
- 1539European history
The Treaty of Frankfurt between Protestants and the Holy Roman Emperor is signed.
The Treaty of Frankfurt ends hostilities between Charles V and the Protestant Schmalkaldic League, temporarily securing Protestant rights within the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1608UK history
In Ireland, O'Doherty's Rebellion is launched by the Burning of Derry.
O'Doherty burns Derry to launch a rebellion against English rule in Ireland.
- 1677War
The French army captures the town of Cambrai held by Spanish troops.
The French army seizes control of Cambrai from Spanish forces.
- 1775US history
American Revolutionary War: The war begins during the Battles of Lexington and Concord with a victory of American minutemen and other militia over British forces, later referred to as the "shot heard round the world".
American militia clash with British troops in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, igniting the Revolutionary War with the "shot heard round the world."
- 1782US history
John Adams secures Dutch recognition of the United States as an independent government. The house which he had purchased in The Hague becomes the first American embassy.
John Adams secures Dutch recognition of the United States and purchases a house in The Hague, becoming the first American embassy.
- 1810US history
Venezuela achieves home rule: Vicente Emparán, Governor of the Captaincy General is removed by the people of Caracas and a junta is installed.
Vicente Emparán, Governor of the Captaincy General, is removed by Caracas residents, leading to the establishment of a local governing junta.
- 1903World history
The Kishinev pogrom in Kishinev (Bessarabia) begins, forcing tens of thousands of Jews to later seek refuge in Palestine and the Western world.
A pogrom in Kishinev forces thousands of Jews to flee to Palestine and other parts of the Western world.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 19
7 this date All birthdays
Leon Henkin
American logician
Leon Albert Henkin, the American logician whose work advanced the theory of types and logic, was born today in 1921.
Born
1921
Died
2006
Sydney Barnes
English cricketer
1873 – 1967
Dudley Moore
English actor, comedian, and pianist
1935 – 2002
Bernie Worrell
American keyboard player and songwriter
1944 – 2016
James Heckman
American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
b. 1944 · 82
Rivaldo Vitor Borba Ferreira
Brazilian footballer
b. 1972 · 54
Kelly Olynyk
Canadian basketball player
b. 1991 · 35
Music
The number one songs on April 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 19, 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 19, 1925
Colo-Colo, the most successful and popular soccer football team in the South American nation of Chile, was founded at the El Llano Stadium in San Miguel, Santiago, by footballer David Arellano and some of his teammates who had also left the Deportes Magallanes club.
Colo-Colo, Chile's most successful soccer team, was founded in Santiago by David Arellano and other former Deportes Magallanes players.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 19, 2021
The Ingenuity helicopter becomes the first aircraft to achieve flight on another planet.
Ingenuity achieves the first powered controlled flight on another planet, marking a milestone in interplanetary aviation.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
0 celebrated today
World Turtle Day
International
Raising awareness for turtle and tortoise conservation.
Lucky Penny Day
United States
Pick one up — your luck for the day.
Labour Day
Jamaica
Public holiday since 1961.
Declaration of Independence Day
South Sudan
National observance.