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
December 11 Friday, December 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
6
Holidays
969
European history 1057 years ago
Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated by his wife Theophano and her lover, the later Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated in a conspiracy led by his wife Theophano and her lover, the future Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
History
What happened on December 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 220World history
Emperor Xian of Han is forced to abdicate the throne by Cao Cao's son Cao Pi, ending the Han dynasty.
Cao Pi forces Emperor Xian to abdicate, marking the end of the Han dynasty.
- 361European history
Julian enters Constantinople as sole Roman Emperor.
Julian enters Constantinople as the sole ruler of the Roman Empire.
- 861World history
Assassination of the Abbasid caliph al-Mutawakkil by the Turkish guard, who raise al-Muntasir to the throne, start of the "Anarchy at Samarra".
Al-Mutawakkil is assassinated by his Turkish guards, who then elevate al-Muntasir to the caliphate, marking the beginning of the Anarchy at Samarra.
- 969European history
Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated by his wife Theophano and her lover, the later Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas is assassinated in a conspiracy led by his wife Theophano and her lover, the future Emperor John I Tzimiskes.
- 1041European history
Michael V, adoptive son of Empress Zoë of Byzantium, is proclaimed emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Michael V is proclaimed emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire after being adopted by Empress Zoë.
- 1239European history
Treaty of Benavente: the heiresses of the Kingdom of León renounce their throne to King Ferdinand III of Castile
The heiresses of the Kingdom of León renounce their claims to King Ferdinand III of Castile, uniting León and Castile.
- 1282UK history
Battle of Orewin Bridge: Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed at Cilmeri near Builth Wells in mid-Wales.
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last native Prince of Wales, is killed in battle near Builth Wells, ending Welsh independence.
- 1317European history
The Nyköping Banquet (Swedish: Nyköpings gästabud) takes place as King Birger of Sweden celebrates Christmas at Nyköping Castle. Among the guests are his two brothers Duke Valdemar and Duke Eric, who later that night are imprisoned and eventually starved to death in the castle dungeon.
King Birger imprisons and ultimately starves to death his brothers Duke Valdemar and Duke Eric during a Christmas banquet at Nyköping Castle.
- 1675World history
Antonio de Vea expedition enters San Rafael Lake in western Patagonia.
Antonio de Vea's expedition reaches San Rafael Lake in western Patagonia, becoming among the first Europeans to explore this remote glacial region.
- 1688UK history
Glorious Revolution: James II of England, while trying to flee to France, throws the Great Seal of the Realm into the River Thames.
James II of England tosses the Great Seal of the Realm into the River Thames as he attempts to escape to France.
- 1792World history
French Revolution: King Louis XVI of France is put on trial for treason by the National Convention.
King Louis XVI stands trial for treason before the National Convention.
- 1868War
Paraguayan War: Brazilian troops defeat the Paraguayan Army at the Battle of Avay.
Brazilian forces defeat the Paraguayan Army in the Battle of Avay, marking a significant victory in the Paraguayan War.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 11
7 this date All birthdays
Elena Garro
Mexican author and playwright
Elena Garro, the Mexican author and playwright who pioneered Magical Realism alongside Juan Rulfo, though she later rejected the label, was born today in 1916.
Born
1916
Died
1998
Mark Tobey
American-Swiss painter and educator
1890 – 1976
Jean Marais
French actor and director
1913 – 1998
Aquilino Pimentel
Jr., Filipino civil servant and politician, 23rd President of the Senate of the Philippines
1933 – 2019
Stamatis Spanoudakis
Greek guitarist and composer
b. 1948 · 78
Nikki Sixx
American bass player, songwriter, and producer
b. 1958 · 68
Tim Southee
New Zealand cricketer
b. 1988 · 38
Music
The number one songs on December 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 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 December 11, 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 December 11, 2020
The Food and Drug Administration issues an Emergency Use Authorization on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved by the agency.
The FDA issues an Emergency Use Authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, marking it as the first such approval for a coronavirus vaccine.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Establishment of Kurdish Women's Union (Iraqi Kurdistan)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
Indiana Day (United States)
International
Indiana Day is a legal holiday in the state of Indiana, United States, commemorating the state's 1816 admission to the Union
International Mountain Day
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
National Tango Day (Argentina)
International
Julio de Caro was an Argentine composer, musician, and conductor prominent in the Tango genre
Pampanga Day (Pampanga province, Philippines)
International
Pampanga, officially the Province of Pampanga, is a province in Central Luzon, Philippines
Republic Day, the day when Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community in 1958. (Burkina Faso)
International
This is a list of holidays in Burkina Faso