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 13 Thursday, August 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 13 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
4
Holidays
1650
UK history 376 years ago
Colonel George Monck of the English Army forms Monck's Regiment of Foot, which will later become the Coldstream Guards.
Colonel George Monck forms Monck's Regiment of Foot in Scotland, a unit that would later become the Coldstream Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army.
History
What happened on August 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -29World history
Octavian holds the first of three consecutive triumphs in Rome to celebrate the victory over the Dalmatian tribes.
Octavian celebrates his victory over the Dalmatian tribes with the first of three triumphal parades in Rome.
- 523Religion
John I becomes the new Pope after the death of Pope Hormisdas.
John I is elected pope following the death of Pope Hormisdas.
- 582European history
Maurice becomes Emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
Maurice is crowned Emperor of the Byzantine Empire, marking the beginning of a reign focused on military and administrative reforms.
- 871European history
Emperor Louis II of Italy and Empress Engelberga are captured by Prince Adelchis of Benevento.
Emperor Louis II and Empress Engelberga are captured by Prince Adelchis of Benevento.
- 900European history
Count Reginar I of Hainault rises against Zwentibold of Lotharingia and slays him near present-day Susteren.
Count Reginar I defeats and kills Zwentibold near Susteren, asserting control over Hainault.
- 1099Religion
Raniero is elected as Pope Paschal II, who would become deeply entangled in the Investiture Controversy.
Raniero is elected Pope Paschal II, soon becoming embroiled in the Investiture Controversy.
- 1516European history
The Treaty of Noyon between France and Spain is signed. Francis I of France recognizes Charles's claim to Naples, and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, recognizes Francis's claim to Milan.
Francis I of France and Charles I of Spain sign the Treaty of Noyon, with Francis recognizing Charles's claim to Naples and Charles recognizing Francis's claim to Milan.
- 1536Religion
Buddhist monks from Kyoto, Japan's Enryaku-ji temple set fire to 21 Nichiren temples throughout Kyoto in what will be known as the Tenbun Hokke Disturbance.
Buddhist monks from Kyoto's Enryaku-ji temple burn down 21 Nichiren temples across the city.
- 1645European history
Sweden and Denmark sign Peace of Brömsebro.
Denmark cedes four provinces to Sweden, ending the Torstenson War with the signing of the Peace of Brömsebro.
- 1650UK history
Colonel George Monck of the English Army forms Monck's Regiment of Foot, which will later become the Coldstream Guards.
Colonel George Monck forms Monck's Regiment of Foot in Scotland, a unit that would later become the Coldstream Guards, one of the oldest regiments in the British Army.
- 1779War
American Revolutionary War: The Royal Navy defeats the Penobscot Expedition with the most significant loss of United States naval forces prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Royal Navy defeats the Penobscot Expedition, causing the most substantial pre-Pearl Harbor loss of U.S. naval forces.
- 1898War
Spanish-American War: Spanish and American forces engage in a mock battle for Manila, after which the Spanish commander surrendered in order to keep the city out of Filipino rebel hands.
Spanish and American forces stage a mock battle for Manila, leading to the Spanish surrender to prevent the city from falling into Filipino rebel control.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 13
7 this date All birthdays
Johnny Gaudreau
American ice hockey player
Johnny Gaudreau, the American ice hockey left winger known as "Johnny Hockey" who won the Hobey Baker Award at Boston College, was born today in 1993.
Born
1993
Died
2024
Bobby Clarke
Canadian ice hockey player and manager
b. 1949 · 77
Dave Carter
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
1952 – 2002
Thomas Pogge
German philosopher and academic
b. 1953 · 73
Will Clarke
American author
b. 1970 · 56
Patrick Carpentier
Canadian race car driver
b. 1971 · 55
Jason McCourty
American football player
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on August 13
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 13, 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 13, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 13, 1898
Carl Gustav Witt discovers 433 Eros, the first near-Earth asteroid to be found.
Carl Gustav Witt discovers 433 Eros, the first near-Earth asteroid identified.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Central African Republic from France in 1960.
International
This is a list of public holidays in the Central African Republic
International Lefthanders Day (International)
International
International Left Handers Day is an international day observed annually on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals
Women's Day, commemorates the enaction of Tunisian Code of Personal Status in 1956. (Tunisia)
International
Since the December 2010 revolution in Tunisia and protests across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) began, Tunisian women have played an unprecedented part in the protests
World Organ Donation Day
International
Organ donation is defined as the process when a person authorizes an organ of their own to be removed and transplanted to another person, legally, either by consent while the donor is alive, through a