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 8 Wednesday, April 8, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on April 8 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
1232
War 794 years ago
Mongol-Jin War: The Mongols begin their siege on Kaifeng, the capital of the Jin dynasty.
The Mongols begin their siege of Kaifeng, capital of the Jin dynasty, in a campaign that will last over a year.
History
What happened on April 8
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 217World history
Roman emperor Caracalla is assassinated and is succeeded by his Praetorian Guard prefect, Marcus Opellius Macrinus.
Caracalla is assassinated, and Marcus Opellius Macrinus becomes the new Roman emperor.
- 876War
The Battle of Dayr al-'Aqul saves Baghdad from the Saffarids.
Abu Ahmad al-Marzuni leads forces to victory at Dayr al-'Aqul, preventing the Saffarid invasion of Baghdad.
- 1139Royalty
Roger II of Sicily is excommunicated by Innocent II for supporting Anacletus II as pope for seven years, even though Roger had already publicly recognized Innocent's claim to the papacy.
Roger II of Sicily is excommunicated by Pope Innocent II for backing Antipope Anacletus II.
- 1143European history
Manuel I Komnenos succeeds his father John II Komnenos as Byzantine Emperor.
Manuel I Komnenos becomes the new Byzantine Emperor after succeeding his father, John II Komnenos.
- 1232War
Mongol-Jin War: The Mongols begin their siege on Kaifeng, the capital of the Jin dynasty.
The Mongols begin their siege of Kaifeng, capital of the Jin dynasty, in a campaign that will last over a year.
- 1250War
Seventh Crusade: Ayyubids of Egypt capture King Louis IX of France in the Battle of Fariskur.
King Louis IX of France is captured by the Ayyubid forces in the Battle of Fariskur during the Seventh Crusade.
- 1605European history
The city of Oulu, Finland, is founded by Charles IX of Sweden.
Charles IX of Sweden founds the city of Oulu in Finland.
- 1730Religion
Shearith Israel, the first synagogue in continental North America, is dedicated.
Shearith Israel, the first synagogue in continental North America, is dedicated in New York City.
- 1866War
Austro-Prussian War: Italy and Prussia sign a secret alliance against the Austrian Empire.
Italy and Prussia form a secret alliance to counter the Austrian Empire.
- 1886UK history
William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill into the British House of Commons.
William Ewart Gladstone introduces the first Irish Home Rule Bill in the British House of Commons.
- 1990Politics
The conservative New Democracy party of Constantine Mitsotakis is elected in the Greek parliamentary election.
New Democracy, led by Constantine Mitsotakis, wins the Greek parliamentary election.
- 2005Science
A solar eclipse occurs, visible over areas of the Pacific Ocean and Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia and Venezuela.
A hybrid solar eclipse crosses the Pacific Ocean and parts of Central and South America, including Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Born today
Famous birthdays on April 8
7 this date All birthdays
Clarence Hudson White
American photographer and educator
Clarence Hudson White, the American photographer and educator who was a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement and captured rural American life through pictorial photography, was born in 1871.
Born
1871
Died
1925
Mary Pickford
Canadian-American actress, producer, screenwriter and co-founder of United Artists
1892 – 1979
John Fante
American author and screenwriter
1909 – 1983
Seymour Hersh
American journalist and author
b. 1937 · 89
Grzegorz Lato
Polish footballer and coach
b. 1950 · 76
Emma Caulfield
American actress
b. 1973 · 53
Keira Walsh
English footballer
b. 1997 · 29
Music
The number one songs on April 8
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on April 8, 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 8, 1974
Hank Aaron passes Babe Ruth as the all-time leader in career home runs by hitting his 715th home run off of Al Downing at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Hank Aaron surpasses Babe Ruth with his 715th home run, hit off pitcher Al Downing at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
Read the story
🔬 Science April 8, 2002
The Space Shuttle Atlantis is launched on mission STS-110, carrying the S0 truss to the International Space Station. Astronaut Jerry L. Ross also becomes the first person to fly on seven spaceflights.
Atlantis launches on STS-110, delivering the S0 truss to the International Space Station and marking Jerry L. Ross's seventh spaceflight.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Buddha's Birthday, also known as Hana Matsuri, "Flower Festival" (Japan)
International
Buddha's Birthday or Buddha Day is a primarily Buddhist festival that is celebrated in most of South, Southeast and East Asia, commemorating the birth of the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became the
Earliest day on which Fast and Prayer Day can fall, while April 14 is the latest; celebrated on the second Friday in April (Liberia)
International
The following are public holidays in Liberia
International Romani Day
International
The International Romani Day is a day to celebrate Romani culture and raise awareness of the issues facing Romani people