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 28 Tuesday, April 28, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 28 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
6
Holidays
1611
Religion 415 years ago
Establishment of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines and the largest Catholic university in the world.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas is established in Manila, becoming the oldest existing university in Asia and eventually the world's largest Catholic university.
History
What happened on April 28
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 224War
The Battle of Hormozdgan is fought. Ardashir I defeats and kills Artabanus V, effectively ending the Parthian Empire.
Ardashir I defeats and kills Artabanus V at the Battle of Hormozdgan, ending the Parthian Empire and establishing the Sasanian dynasty.
- 357World history
Emperor Constantius II enters Rome for the first time to celebrate his victory over Magnus Magnentius.
Constantius II enters Rome to celebrate his triumph over Magnus Magnentius.
- 1192Crime
Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I), King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title to the throne is confirmed by election. The killing is carried out by Hashshashin.
Conrad of Montferrat, newly elected King of Jerusalem, is assassinated in Tyre by the Hashshashin just two days after his election.
- 1253Religion
Nichiren, a Japanese Buddhist monk, propounds Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō for the first time and declares it to be the essence of Buddhism, in effect founding Nichiren Buddhism.
Nichiren proclaims Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō as the core of Buddhism, establishing Nichiren Buddhism.
- 1294World history
Temür, grandson of Kublai, is elected Khagan of the Mongols with the reigning title Oljeitu.
Temür, grandson of Kublai, is elected Khagan of the Mongols and takes the title Oljeitu.
- 1503War
The Battle of Cerignola is fought. It is noted as one of the first European battles in history won by small arms fire using gunpowder.
The Battle of Cerignola is marked as one of the first European conflicts where gunpowder weapons determined the outcome.
- 1611Religion
Establishment of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines and the largest Catholic university in the world.
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas is established in Manila, becoming the oldest existing university in Asia and eventually the world's largest Catholic university.
- 1625World history
A combined Spanish and Portuguese fleet of 52 ships commences the recapture of Bahia from the Dutch during the Dutch-Portuguese War.
A combined Spanish and Portuguese fleet sets sail with 52 ships to reclaim Bahia from the Dutch in the ongoing Dutch-Portuguese War.
- 1788US history
Maryland becomes the seventh state to ratify the United States Constitution.
Maryland joins the Union as the seventh state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
- 1792War
France invades the Austrian Netherlands (present day Belgium and Luxembourg), beginning the French Revolutionary Wars.
France invades the Austrian Netherlands, marking the start of the French Revolutionary Wars.
- 1858World history
The Bawani Imli massacre, where 52 Indian freedom fighters are hanged to death on a tamarind tree by British colonial forces.
Fifty-two Indian freedom fighters are executed by hanging from a tamarind tree by British colonial forces.
- 1937Science
South African medical researcher Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City.
Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine, a breakthrough that saves millions of lives worldwide.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 28
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 58
Andy Flower
South-African-Zimbabwean cricketer and coach
Andy Flower, former Zimbabwe national cricket captain and widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper-batters of all time, turns 57 today.
Born
1968
Turns 58
today
Nezahualcoyotl
Acolhuan philosopher, warrior, poet and ruler
1402 – 1472
Frederick I
prince consort and king of Sweden
1676 – 1751
Larissa Grunig
American theorist and activist
b. 1946 · 80
Jay Leno
American comedian, talk show host, and producer
b. 1950 · 76
Kim Gordon
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1953 · 73
Tom Browning
American baseball player
1960 – 2022
Music
The number one songs on April 28
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 28, 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 28, 1910
Frenchman Louis Paulhan wins the 1910 London to Manchester air race, the first long-distance aeroplane race in the United Kingdom.
Louis Paulhan wins the London to Manchester air race, becoming the first pilot to complete a long-distance aeroplane competition in the UK.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 28, 1937
South African medical researcher Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City.
Max Theiler develops the yellow fever vaccine, a breakthrough that saves millions of lives worldwide.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Mujahideen Victory Day (Afghanistan)
International
Mujahideen Victory Day is a political holiday observed in all parts of Afghanistan, falling on the 28 April each year
National Heroes Day (Barbados)
International
Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day may refer to a number of commemorations of national heroes in different countries and territories
Restoration of Sovereignty Day (Japan)
International
Shinzo Abe was a Japanese statesman and politician who served as Prime Minister of Japan and President of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) from 2006 to 2007 and again from 2012 to 2020
Sardinia Day (Sardinia)
International
Sardinia's Day, also known as the Sardinian People's Day, is a holiday in Sardinia commemorating the Sardinian Vespers, which occurred from 1794 to 1796
Workers' Memorial Day and World Day for Safety and Health at Work (international) National Day of Mourning (Canada)
International
The National Day of Mourning, or Workers' Mourning Day is observed in Canada on 28 April
Ed Balls Day
International
Edward Michael Balls is a British broadcaster, economist and former politician