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 12 Thursday, February 12, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 12 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
1889
Culture 137 years ago
Antonín Dvořák's Jakobín is premiered at the National Theater in Prague.
Antonín Dvořák's opera "Jakobín" receives its premiere at the National Theatre in Prague.
History
What happened on February 12
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1059European history
Upon reaching Rome, Bruno of Toul is elected as pope Leo IX and starts initiating reforms.
Bruno of Toul is elected Pope Leo IX in Rome and begins implementing reforms.
- 1096Religion
Pope Urban II confirms the foundation of the abbey of La Roë under Robert of Arbrissel as a community of canons regular.
Pope Urban II confirms the establishment of the abbey of La Roë in France as a community of canons regular.
- 1404Science
The Italian professor Galeazzo di Santa Sofia performs the first post-mortem autopsy for the purposes of teaching and demonstration at the Heiligen-Geist Spital in Vienna.
Italian professor Galeazzo di Santa Sofia conducts the first documented teaching autopsy at Vienna's Heiligen-Geist Spital, advancing medical education through systematic anatomical demonstration.
- 1429War
English forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orléans in the Battle of the Herrings.
Sir John Fastolf leads an English force in defending a supply convoy against French attackers at the Battle of the Herrings.
- 1502European history
Isabella I issues an edict outlawing Islam in the Crown of Castile, forcing virtually all her Muslim subjects to convert to Christianity.
Isabella I issues an edict forcing Muslims in Castile to convert to Christianity.
- 1541US history
Santiago, Chile is founded by Pedro de Valdivia.
Pedro de Valdivia founds Santiago, establishing the capital of Spanish colonial rule in Chile.
- 1689UK history
The Convention Parliament declares that the flight to France in 1688 by James II, the last Roman Catholic British monarch, constitutes an abdication.
The Convention Parliament declares James II's flight to France an abdication, paving the way for William of Orange and Mary to assume the throne.
- 1733US history
Georgia Day: Englishman James Oglethorpe founds Georgia, the 13th colony of the Thirteen Colonies, by settling at Savannah.
James Oglethorpe founds Georgia by establishing a settlement at Savannah, becoming the 13th English colony in North America.
- 1771UK history
Gustav III becomes the King of Sweden.
Gustav III ascends to the throne of Sweden, marking the beginning of his absolutist rule.
- 1817War
An Argentine/Chilean patriotic army, after crossing the Andes, defeats Spanish troops at the Battle of Chacabuco.
José de San Martín leads an army across the Andes to defeat Spanish forces in the Battle of Chacabuco.
- 1889Culture
Antonín Dvořák's Jakobín is premiered at the National Theater in Prague.
Antonín Dvořák's opera "Jakobín" receives its premiere at the National Theatre in Prague.
- 1968War
Vietnam War: The Phong Nhị and Phong Nhất massacre occurs, allegedly by South Korean troops.
South Korean troops are accused of killing over 200 civilians in the villages of Phong Nhị and Phong Nhất.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 12
7 this date All birthdays
Al Cervi
American basketball player and coach
Al Cervi, known as "Digger" for his tenacious defense and one of the strongest backcourt players of the 1940s and 1950s, was born today in 1917.
Born
1917
Died
2009
Louisa Adams
6th First Lady of the United States
1775 – 1852
George Meredith
English novelist and poet
1828 – 1909
Simon MacCorkindale
English actor, director, and producer
1952 – 2010
John Michael Higgins
American actor and comedian
b. 1963 · 63
Darren Aronofsky
American director, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1969 · 57
Tara Strong
Canadian-American voice actress and singer
b. 1973 · 53
Music
The number one songs on February 12
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 12, 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 12, 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 February 12, 2001
NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft touches down in the "saddle" region of 433 Eros, becoming the first spacecraft to land on an asteroid.
The NEAR Shoemaker spacecraft lands in the "saddle" region of asteroid 433 Eros, marking the first time a spacecraft touches down on an asteroid.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Georgia Day (Georgia (U.S. state))
International
Georgia Day is the holiday which the U
Lincoln's Birthday (United States)
International
Lincoln's Birthday is a public holiday in some U
Red Hand Day (United Nations)
International
Red Hand Day, or the International Day against the Use of Child Soldiers, has been observed on February 12 annually since 2002, where pleas are made to political leaders and events are staged around t
Union Day (Myanmar)
International
Union Day is a public holiday in Myanmar, marking the anniversary of the historic Panglong Agreement in 1947