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 26 Sunday, April 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 26 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
5
Holidays
1865
US history 161 years ago
Union cavalry troopers corner and shoot dead John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, in Virginia.
Union cavalry troopers corner and fatally shoot John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, at a tobacco farm in rural Virginia.
History
What happened on April 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1289War
Following weeks of bombardment, the city of Tripoli falls to the Mamluks under Qalawun. The Mamluks massacre all men they find and enslave the women and children.
Mamluk forces under Sultan Qalawun capture Tripoli after weeks of bombardment, massacring the city's men and enslaving women and children.
- 1326European history
The kingdom of France and the kingdom of Scotland agree on a treaty of mutual aid at Corbeil.
France and Scotland sign a treaty of mutual aid at Corbeil.
- 1336Culture
Francesco Petrarca (Petrarch) ascends Mont Ventoux.
Francesco Petrarca climbs Mont Ventoux, marking the beginning of his reputation as a keen mountaineer and scholar.
- 1478European history
The Pazzi family attack on Lorenzo de' Medici in order to displace the ruling Medici family kills his brother Giuliano during High Mass in Florence Cathedral.
Giuliano de' Medici is killed by the Pazzi family during High Mass at Florence Cathedral, while his brother Lorenzo escapes.
- 1564UK history
Playwright William Shakespeare is baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England (date of birth is unknown).
William Shakespeare is baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon; the exact date of his birth remains unknown.
- 1607US history
The Virginia Company colonists make landfall at Cape Henry.
The Virginia Company colonists reach Cape Henry, marking the start of English colonization in Virginia.
- 1721Disaster
A massive earthquake devastates the Iranian city of Tabriz.
A powerful earthquake strikes Tabriz in northwestern Persia, killing an estimated 80,000 people and destroying much of the ancient city.
- 1777US history
Sybil Ludington, aged 16, allegedly rides 40 miles (64 km) to alert American colonial forces to the approach of British regular forces.
Sybil Ludington, at 16, reportedly rode 40 miles to warn American forces of advancing British troops.
- 1805War
First Barbary War: United States Marines capture Derne under the command of First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon.
First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon leads U.S. Marines in capturing Derne, marking a significant victory in the First Barbary War.
- 1865US history
Union cavalry troopers corner and shoot dead John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, in Virginia.
Union cavalry troopers corner and fatally shoot John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln's assassin, at a tobacco farm in rural Virginia.
- 1993Science
The Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on mission STS-55 to conduct experiments aboard the Spacelab module.
The Space Shuttle Columbia is launched on mission STS-55 to conduct scientific experiments in the Spacelab module.
- 2002Crime
Robert Steinhäuser kills 16 at Gutenberg-Gymnasium in Erfurt, Germany, before committing suicide.
Robert Steinhäuser kills 16 people at the Gutenberg-Gymnasium in Erfurt before taking his own life.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 26
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 41
John Isner
American tennis player
John Isner, the American tennis player who reached world No. 8 and is considered one of the best servers in ATP Tour history, turns 40 today.
Born
1985
Turns 41
today
Hack Wilson
American baseball player
1900 – 1948
Paul-Émile Léger
Canadian cardinal
1904 – 1991
Sal Maglie
American baseball player and coach
1917 – 1992
Harry Gallatin
American basketball player and coach
1927 – 2015
Michael Smith
English-Canadian biochemist and geneticist, Nobel Prize laureate
1932 – 2000
Gary Wright
American singer-songwriter, keyboard player, and producer
1943 – 2023
Music
The number one songs on April 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 26, 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 26, 1920
Ice hockey makes its Olympic debut at the Antwerp Games with center Frank Fredrickson scoring seven goals in Canada's 12-1 drubbing of Sweden in the gold medal match.
Canada wins ice hockey's first Olympic gold with a 12-1 victory over Sweden; Frank Fredrickson scores seven goals.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 26, 1954
The first clinical trials of Jonas Salk's polio vaccine begin in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Clinical trials for Jonas Salk's polio vaccine commence in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Chernobyl disaster related observances: Day of Remembrance of the Chernobyl tragedy (Belarus)
International
National holidays in Belarus are classified into state holidays and other holidays and commemorative days, including religious holidays
Chernobyl disaster related observances: Memorial Day of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes (Russia)
International
The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia
Confederate Memorial Day (Florida, United States)
International
Confederate Memorial Day is a holiday observed in several Southern U
Union Day (Tanzania)
International
Public holidays in Tanzania are in accordance with the Public Holidays Act, amended among others in December 1964, August 1966, July 2022, and are observed throughout the nation
World Intellectual Property Day
International
World Intellectual Property Day is observed annually on 26 April