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
August 11 Tuesday, August 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 11 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
1315
European history 711 years ago
The Great Famine of Europe becomes so dire that even the king of England has difficulties buying bread for himself and his entourage.
The Great Famine gripping Europe grows so severe that even the English king struggles to purchase bread for himself and his entourage.
History
What happened on August 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -3114World history
The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar, used by several pre-Columbian Mesoamerican civilizations, notably the Maya, begins.
The Mesoamerican Long Count calendar begins, marking time cycles significant to cultures including the Maya.
- -2492World history
Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation.
Hayk, considered the founder of the Armenian nation, is traditionally said to have defeated the Babylonian king Bel in battle.
- 106World history
The south-western part of Dacia (modern Romania) becomes a Roman province: Roman Dacia.
The southwestern region of Dacia is incorporated into the Roman Empire as a new province.
- 117World history
Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor, two days after Trajan's death.
Hadrian is proclaimed Roman emperor following Trajan's death.
- 355World history
Claudius Silvanus, accused of treason, proclaims himself Roman Emperor against Constantius II.
Claudius Silvanus, a Roman general facing treason charges, proclaims himself emperor in Gaul, challenging the authority of Constantius II.
- 490War
Battle of Adda: The Goths under Theodoric the Great and his ally Alaric II defeat the forces of Odoacer on the Adda River, near Milan.
Theodoric the Great and Alaric II lead the Goths to victory over Odoacer's forces in the Battle of Adda.
- 923War
The Qarmatians of Bahrayn capture and pillage the city of Basra.
The Qarmatians of Bahrayn capture and pillage Basra, marking a significant victory in their expansion.
- 1315European history
The Great Famine of Europe becomes so dire that even the king of England has difficulties buying bread for himself and his entourage.
The Great Famine gripping Europe grows so severe that even the English king struggles to purchase bread for himself and his entourage.
- 1332War
Wars of Scottish Independence: Battle of Dupplin Moor: Scots under Domhnall II, Earl of Mar are routed by Edward Balliol.
Edward Balliol routs a larger Scottish force under Domhnall II, Earl of Mar, at the Battle of Dupplin Moor in Perthshire.
- 1473War
The Battle of Otlukbeli: Mehmed the Conqueror of the Ottoman Empire decisively defeats Uzun Hassan of Aq Qoyunlu.
Mehmed II of the Ottoman Empire defeats Uzun Hassan in the Battle of Otlukbeli.
- 1492Religion
Rodrigo de Borja is elected as Head of the Catholic Church, taking the name Pope Alexander VI.
Rodrigo de Borja becomes Pope Alexander VI, the first Borgia pope.
- 1685War
Morean War: The 49-day Siege of Coron ends with the surrender and massacre of its garrison by the Venetians.
The 49-day siege of Coron ends with the garrison's surrender and subsequent massacre by Venetian forces.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 11
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 64
Charles Cecil
English video game designer and co-founded Revolution Software
Charles Cecil, the English video game designer who co-founded Revolution Software, turns 64 today.
Born
1962
Turns 64
today
Uku Masing
Estonian philosopher and theologian
1909 – 1985
Anna Massey
English actress
1937 – 2011
Denis Payton
English saxophonist
1943 – 2006
Suniel Shetty
Indian actor and film producer
b. 1961 · 65
Iván Córdoba
Colombian footballer and manager
b. 1976 · 50
Pablo Sandoval
Venezuelan baseball player
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on August 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 11, 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 August 11, 1929
Babe Ruth becomes the first baseball player to hit 500 home runs in his career with a home run at League Park in Cleveland, Ohio.
Babe Ruth hits his 500th home run at League Park in Cleveland, becoming the first player to reach this milestone.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 11, 1942
Actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil receive a patent for a Frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system that later became the basis for modern technologies in wireless telephones, two-way radio communications, and Wi-Fi.
Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil receive a patent for a frequency-hopping communication system that influences modern wireless technology.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Flag Day (Pakistan)
International
A flag day is a flag-related holiday, a day designated for flying a certain flag or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Chad from France in 1960.
International
An Independence Day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's independence or statehood, usually after ceasing to be a group or part of another nation or state, or after the end o
Mountain Day (Japan)
International
Mountain Day refers to three different and unrelated events: (1) Mountain Day, a student celebration in some colleges in the United States in which classes are cancelled without prior notice, and the