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 14 Saturday, February 14, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 14 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
1613
Royalty 413 years ago
Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Frederick V of the Palatinate at Whitehall Palace, London.
Princess Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James I of England, marries Frederick V, Elector Palatine, at Whitehall Palace in a lavish ceremony uniting English and German Protestant dynasties.
History
What happened on February 14
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 748World history
Abbasid Revolution: The Hashimi rebels under Abu Muslim Khorasani take Merv, capital of the Umayyad province Khorasan, marking the consolidation of the Abbasid revolt.
The Hashimi rebels led by Abu Muslim Khorasani capture Merv, consolidating their power in the Abbasid revolution.
- 763World history
The death of Ibrahim ibn Abdallah marks the end of the Alid revolt of 762-763.
Ibrahim ibn Abdallah's death ends the Alid revolt, concluding a year-long challenge to Abbasid Caliphate authority.
- 842European history
Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German languages.
Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in both French and German, marking a pivotal moment in Franco-German relations.
- 1014Religion
Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry of Bavaria, King of Germany and of Italy, as Holy Roman Emperor.
Pope Benedict VIII crowns Henry of Bavaria as Holy Roman Emperor, also recognizing him as king of Germany and Italy.
- 1130Religion
The troubled 1130 papal election exposes a rift within the College of Cardinals.
The election of Pope Martin IV highlights a division among cardinals, marking one of the most contentious papal elections in history.
- 1349European history
Strasbourg massacre: Several thousand Jews are burned to death by mobs while the remaining Jews are forcibly removed from Strasbourg after being accused of causing the Black Death.
Several thousand Jews in Strasbourg are burned alive by mobs, with survivors expelled amid accusations of causing the Black Death.
- 1530World history
Spanish conquistadores, led by Nuño de Guzmán, overthrow and execute Tangaxuan II, the last independent monarch of the Tarascan state in present-day central Mexico.
Nuño de Guzmán leads Spanish conquistadors to overthrow and execute Tangaxuan II, the last independent ruler of the Tarascan state.
- 1556World history
Coronation of Akbar as ruler of the Mughal Empire.
Akbar is crowned ruler of the Mughal Empire, marking the beginning of his long and influential reign.
- 1613Royalty
Wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Frederick V of the Palatinate at Whitehall Palace, London.
Princess Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of King James I of England, marries Frederick V, Elector Palatine, at Whitehall Palace in a lavish ceremony uniting English and German Protestant dynasties.
- 1655World history
The Mapuches launch coordinated attacks against the Spanish in Chile beginning the Mapuche uprising of 1655.
The Mapuches begin a series of coordinated attacks against the Spanish in Chile, marking the start of the Mapuche uprising.
- 1797War
French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of Cape St. Vincent: John Jervis, (later 1st Earl of St Vincent) and Horatio Nelson (later 1st Viscount Nelson) lead the British Royal Navy to victory over a Spanish fleet in action near Gibraltar.
John Jervis and Horatio Nelson lead the British Royal Navy to victory over a larger Spanish fleet off Cape St. Vincent during the French Revolutionary Wars.
- 1855Technology
Texas is linked by telegraph to the rest of the United States, with the completion of a connection between New Orleans and Marshall, Texas.
Texas is connected to the rest of the United States via telegraph, completing a link between New Orleans and Marshall.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 14
7 this date All birthdays
Juan Ponce Enrile
Filipino politician and lawyer
Juan Ponce Enrile, the Filipino politician and lawyer who served as President of the Senate and was one of the longest-serving politicians in Philippine history, was born today in 1924.
Born
1924
Died
2025
Winfield Scott Hancock
American general and politician
1824 – 1886
Julian Scott
American soldier and drummer, Medal of Honor recipient
1846 – 1901
Sushma Swaraj
Indian lawyer and politician, Indian Minister of External Affairs
1952 – 2019
Enrico Colantoni
Canadian actor, director, and producer
b. 1963 · 63
Kara Lawson
American basketball player and coach
b. 1981 · 45
Jaxon Smith-Njigba
American football player
b. 2002 · 24
Music
The number one songs on February 14
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 14, 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 14, 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 14, 1961
Discovery of the chemical elements: Element 103, Lawrencium, is first synthesized at the University of California.
Lawrencium, element 103, is first created at the University of California.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Statehood Day (Arizona, United States)
International
A state of the United States is one of the 50 constituent entities that shares its sovereignty with the federal government
Statehood Day (Oregon, United States)
International
A state of the United States is one of the 50 constituent entities that shares its sovereignty with the federal government
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple (Armenian Apostolic Church)
International
The Presentation of Jesus is an early episode in the life of Jesus Christ, describing his presentation at the Temple in Jerusalem
Parents' Worship Day (parts of India)
International
Parents' Worship Day, known as Matri Pitri Poojan Diwas was started by Sant Shri Asaram Bapu Ji in 2007 as an alternative to Valentine's Day