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 13 Sunday, December 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 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
8
Holidays
1864
US history 162 years ago
American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea: The Second Battle of Fort McAllister ends with the fort being seized by Union forces under General William B. Hazen, threatening the city of Savannah with investment.
Union forces under General William B. Hazen capture Fort McAllister during Sherman's March to the Sea, opening supply lines and tightening the siege of Savannah.
History
What happened on December 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1076European history
The city of Salerno surrenders to Robert Guiscard. Duke Gisulf continues his resistance in the citadel until May of the following year.
The city of Salerno surrenders to Robert Guiscard, with Duke Gisulf holding out in the citadel until the following May.
- 1294Religion
Saint Celestine V resigns the papacy after only five months to return to his previous life as an ascetic hermit.
Saint Celestine V resigns the papacy after five months to resume his life as an ascetic hermit.
- 1545Religion
The Council of Trent begins as the embodiment of the Counter-Reformation.
The Council of Trent convenes, marking the beginning of the Catholic Church's Counter-Reformation efforts.
- 1577World history
Sir Francis Drake sets sail from Plymouth, England, on his round-the-world voyage.
Sir Francis Drake embarks on a circumnavigation of the globe from Plymouth.
- 1623US history
The Plymouth Colony establishes the system of trial by 12-men jury in the American colonies.
The Plymouth Colony implements a trial by jury system with 12 men, mirroring English legal practices.
- 1636US history
The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend the colony against the Pequot Indians, a date now considered the founding of the National Guard of the United States.
The Massachusetts Bay Colony organizes three militia regiments to defend against the Pequot, establishing what would become the National Guard.
- 1758Disaster
The English transport ship Duke William sinks in the North Atlantic, killing over 360 people.
The English transport ship Duke William sinks in the North Atlantic, claiming over 360 lives.
- 1769US history
Dartmouth College is founded by the Reverend Eleazar Wheelock, with a royal charter from King George III, on land donated by Royal governor John Wentworth.
Dartmouth College is established with a royal charter from King George III, granted to Reverend Eleazar Wheelock on donated land.
- 1862War
American Civil War: At the Battle of Fredericksburg, Confederate General Robert E. Lee repulses attacks by Union Major General Ambrose Burnside on Marye's Heights, inflicting heavy casualties.
Robert E. Lee defeats Ambrose Burnside at the Battle of Fredericksburg, repelling Union attacks on Marye's Heights and causing significant losses.
- 1864US history
American Civil War: Sherman's March to the Sea: The Second Battle of Fort McAllister ends with the fort being seized by Union forces under General William B. Hazen, threatening the city of Savannah with investment.
Union forces under General William B. Hazen capture Fort McAllister during Sherman's March to the Sea, opening supply lines and tightening the siege of Savannah.
- 1962Technology
NASA launches Relay 1, the first active repeater communications satellite in orbit.
NASA launches Relay 1, enabling continuous global communications for the first time.
- 2003War
Iraq War: Operation Red Dawn: Former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein is captured near his home town of Tikrit.
Saddam Hussein is captured near Tikrit, marking a significant turning point in the Iraq War.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 13
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 45
Amy Lee
American singer, songwriter and pianist
Amy Lee, co-founder and lead vocalist of rock band Evanescence, turns 44 today.
Born
1981
Turns 45
today
Albert Aalbers
Dutch architect, designed the Savoy Homann Bidakara Hotel
1897 – 1961
Elizabeth Alexander
English geologist, academic, and physicist
1908 – 1958
Ron Taylor
Canadian physician and baseball player
1937 – 2025
Junkyard Dog
American professional wrestler
1952 – 1998
Ben Bernanke
American economist
b. 1953 · 73
Hellen Obiri
Kenyan runner
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on December 13
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 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 December 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 December 13, 1962
NASA launches Relay 1, the first active repeater communications satellite in orbit.
NASA launches Relay 1, enabling continuous global communications for the first time.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Acadian Remembrance Day (Acadians)
International
The Acadians are an ethnic group descended from the French who settled in the New France colony of Acadia during the 17th and 18th centuries
National Day (Saint Lucia)
International
Martial Law Victims Remembrance Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Nanjing Massacre Memorial Day (China)
International
The National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre is a national memorial day observed in China on 13 December annually in honor of the Chinese victims of the Nanjing Massacre and the S
Nusantara Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays
Republic Day (Malta)
International
Republic Day is a public holiday celebrated in Malta on 13 December
❝
I refuse to accept other people's ideas of happiness for me. As if there's a 'one size fits all' standard for happiness.
— Kanye West · born December 13, 1977