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
February 11 Wednesday, February 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 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
7
Holidays
1534
UK history 492 years ago
At the Convocation of Canterbury, the Catholic bishops comprising the Upper House of the Province of Canterbury agree to style Henry VIII supreme head of the English church and clergy "so far as the law of Christ allows".
The Catholic bishops at the Convocation of Canterbury agree to style Henry VIII as supreme head of the English Church and clergy "so far as the law of Christ allows."
History
What happened on February 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -660World history
Traditional date for the foundation of Japan by Emperor Jimmu.
Emperor Jimmu is traditionally regarded as the founder and first emperor of Japan.
- 55World history
The death under mysterious circumstances of Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman Empire, on the eve of his coming of age clears the way for Nero to become Emperor.
Claudius's son Britannicus dies mysteriously, paving the way for Nero to ascend to the throne.
- 951World history
Guo Wei, a court official, leads a military coup and declares himself emperor of the new Later Zhou.
Guo Wei leads a military coup and proclaims himself emperor, establishing the Later Zhou dynasty.
- 1144Science
Robert of Chester completes his translation from Arabic to Latin of the Liber de compositione alchemiae, marking the birth of Western alchemy.
Robert of Chester completes his translation of the "Liber de compositione alchemiae," introducing Western alchemy.
- 1534UK history
At the Convocation of Canterbury, the Catholic bishops comprising the Upper House of the Province of Canterbury agree to style Henry VIII supreme head of the English church and clergy "so far as the law of Christ allows".
The Catholic bishops at the Convocation of Canterbury agree to style Henry VIII as supreme head of the English Church and clergy "so far as the law of Christ allows."
- 1586UK history
Sir Francis Drake with an English force captures and occupies the Spanish colonial port of Cartagena de Indias for two months, obtaining a ransom and booty.
Sir Francis Drake captures and occupies the Spanish port of Cartagena de Indias, securing a ransom and valuable loot.
- 1659War
The assault on Copenhagen by Swedish forces is beaten back with heavy losses.
Swedish forces suffer devastating losses in their failed assault on Copenhagen, marking a turning point in the siege of the Danish capital.
- 1794US history
First session of United States Senate opens to the public.
The United States Senate opens its galleries to the public for the first time, allowing citizens to observe legislative debates and proceedings.
- 1808Science
Jesse Fell burns anthracite on an open grate as an experiment in heating homes with coal.
Jesse Fell demonstrates the use of anthracite coal for home heating by burning it on an open grate.
- 1840Culture
Gaetano Donizetti's opera La fille du régiment receives its first performance in Paris, France.
Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La fille du régiment" debuts in Paris, marking the premiere of one of his most beloved works.
- 1963Pop culture
The Beatles record their first album, Please Please Me.
The Beatles enter Abbey Road Studios to record their debut album, "Please Please Me."
- 2011World history
Arab Spring: The first wave of the Egyptian revolution culminates in the resignation of Hosni Mubarak and the transfer of power to the Supreme Military Council after 17 days of protests.
Hosni Mubarak resigns as president, ending 18 days of protests, and power is transferred to the Supreme Military Council.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 11
7 this date All birthdays
John Warren Davis
American educator, college administrator, and civil rights leader
John Warren Davis, the American educator and civil rights leader who served as the fifth president of West Virginia State University from 1919 to 1953, was born today in 1888.
Born
1888
Died
1980
Poggio Bracciolini
Italian scholar and translator
1380 – 1459
Ivan Ančić
Croatian Franciscan and religious writer
1624 – 1685
Henry Fox Talbot
English photographer and politician, invented the calotype
1800 – 1877
Melville Fuller
American lawyer and jurist, 8th Chief Justice of the United States
1833 – 1910
Josiah Willard Gibbs
American physicist
1839 – 1903
Roberto Moreno
Brazilian race car driver
b. 1959 · 67
Music
The number one songs on February 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 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 February 11, 1990
Buster Douglas, a 42:1 underdog, knocks out Mike Tyson in ten rounds at Tokyo to win boxing's world Heavyweight title.
Buster Douglas defeats Mike Tyson in ten rounds to become the heavyweight champion, despite being a 42-to-1 underdog.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 11, 1938
BBC Television produces the world's first ever science fiction television programme, an adaptation of a section of the Karel Čapek play R.U.R. that coined the term "robot".
BBC Television broadcasts the world's first science fiction program, adapting a segment from Karel Čapek's play R.U.R., which introduced the word "robot."
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
European 112 Day (European Union)
International
European 112 Day is an international day that is annually held on 11 February
Armed Forces Day (Liberia)
International
The following are public holidays in Liberia
Evelio Javier Day (Panay Island, the Philippines)
International
Evelio Javier Day, officially Governor Evelio B
Inventors' Day (United States)
International
Inventors' Day is a day of the year set aside by a country to recognise the contributions of inventors
National Foundation Day (Japan)
International
National Foundation Day is a public holiday of Japan observed annually on the 11th of February
Youth Day (Cameroon)
International