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 6 Sunday, December 6, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on December 6 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
1240
War 786 years ago
Mongol invasion of Rus': Kyiv, defended by Voivode Dmytro, falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan.
Kyiv falls to Batu Khan's Mongol forces after a fierce defense led by Voivode Dmytro.
History
What happened on December 6
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1060European history
Béla I is crowned king of Hungary.
Béla I becomes king of Hungary after defeating his nephew Solomon in a civil war, establishing a brief but significant reign that would last until 1063.
- 1240War
Mongol invasion of Rus': Kyiv, defended by Voivode Dmytro, falls to the Mongols under Batu Khan.
Kyiv falls to Batu Khan's Mongol forces after a fierce defense led by Voivode Dmytro.
- 1492World history
After exploring the island of Cuba (which he had mistaken for Japan) for gold, Christopher Columbus lands on an island he names Hispaniola.
Christopher Columbus discovers and names Hispaniola after exploring Cuba in search of gold.
- 1534US history
The city of Quito in Ecuador is founded by Spanish settlers led by Sebastián de Belalcázar.
Sebastián de Belalcázar leads the founding of Quito, becoming the first permanent Spanish settlement in the Andean region.
- 1648UK history
Pride's Purge removes royalist sympathizers from Parliament so that the High Court of Justice could put the King on trial.
Pride's Purge removes royalist members from Parliament, allowing the establishment of a court to try the king.
- 1745UK history
Charles Edward Stuart's army begins retreat during the second Jacobite Rising.
Charles Edward Stuart's army starts its retreat following their defeat at the Battle of Culloden.
- 1790US history
The U.S. Congress moves from New York City to Philadelphia.
The U.S. Congress relocates from New York City to Philadelphia, where it will meet for the next decade before moving to the new capital in Washington.
- 1865US history
Georgia ratifies the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
Georgia becomes the last state to ratify the 13th Amendment, which abolishes slavery throughout the United States.
- 1884US history
The Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., is completed.
The Washington Monument is completed in Washington, D.C., reaching a height of 555 feet.
- 1991War
Yugoslav Wars: In Croatia, forces of the Serb-dominated Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) heaviest bombardment of Dubrovnik during a siege of seven months.
The JNA launches its heaviest bombardment of Dubrovnik during a seven-month siege.
- 1998Politics
in Venezuela, Hugo Chávez is victorious in presidential elections.
Hugo Chávez wins the presidency, marking the beginning of his nearly two-decade rule.
- 2006Science
NASA reveals photographs taken by Mars Global Surveyor suggesting the presence of liquid water on Mars.
NASA releases images from Mars Global Surveyor indicating possible evidence of liquid water.
Born today
Famous birthdays on December 6
7 this date All birthdays
Peter Dimmock
English sportscaster and producer
Peter Dimmock, the British sports broadcaster and television producer who pioneered outside broadcast coverage at the BBC, was born today in 1920.
Born
1920
Died
2015
Hasan al-Askari
Arabian 11th of the Twelve Imams
846 – 874
Fred Duesenberg
German-American businessman, co-founded the Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company
1876 – 1932
Joyce Kilmer
American soldier, author, and poet
1886 – 1918
Henryk Górecki
Polish composer and academic
1933 – 2010
Peter Buck
American guitarist, songwriter, and producer
b. 1956 · 70
Jens Pulver
American mixed martial artist and boxer
b. 1974 · 52
Music
The number one songs on December 6
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on December 6, 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 6, 1956
A violent water polo match between Hungary and the USSR takes place during the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, against the backdrop of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956.
A violent water polo match between Hungary and the USSR occurs during the Summer Olympics, reflecting tensions from the Hungarian Revolution.
Read the story
🔬 Science December 6, 1995
The United States Food and Drug Administration approves Saquinavir, the first protease inhibitor to treat HIV/AIDS. Within 2 years of its approval, annual deaths from AIDS in the United States fall from over 50,000 to approximately 18,000.
Saquinavir, the first protease inhibitor for HIV/AIDS, is approved by the FDA; within two years, annual AIDS deaths in the United States drop from over 50,000 to about 18,000.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Anniversary of the Founding of Quito (Ecuador)
International
The national public holidays in Ecuador include:
Armed Forces Day (Ukraine)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Constitution Day (Spain)
International
Public holidays celebrated in Spain include a mix of religious, national and regional observances
Day of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technologies of Azerbaijan
International
Azerbaijan, officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, is a transcontinental landlocked country at the boundary of Western Asia and Eastern Europe
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Finland from Russia in 1917.
International
Independence Day is a national public holiday in Finland and a flag flying day held on 6 December to celebrate Finland's declaration of independence from Russia after the Bolsheviks took power in late
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women (Canada)
International
The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known informally as White Ribbon Day, is a day commemorated in Canada each December 6, the anniversary of the 1989 École Poly