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 4 Wednesday, February 4, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 4 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
1454
European history 572 years ago
Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, sparking the Thirteen Years' War.
The Prussian Confederation's Secret Council delivers a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, igniting the Thirteen Years' War.
History
What happened on February 4
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 211World history
Following the death of the Roman Emperor Septimius Severus at Eboracum (modern York, England) while preparing to lead a campaign against the Caledonians, the empire is left in the control of his two quarrelling sons, Caracalla and Geta, whom he had instructed to make peace.
Septimius Severus dies in Eboracum, leaving his warring sons, Caracalla and Geta, to rule the empire as he had ordered them to reconcile.
- 960World history
Zhao Kuangyin declares himself Emperor Taizu of Song, ending the Later Zhou and beginning the Song dynasty.
Zhao Kuangyin proclaims himself Emperor Taizu of Song, marking the end of the Later Zhou dynasty and the start of the Song era.
- 1169Disaster
A strong earthquake strikes the Ionian coast of Sicily, causing tens of thousands of injuries and deaths, especially in Catania.
A powerful earthquake devastates the Ionian coast of Sicily, resulting in widespread casualties and damage, particularly in Catania.
- 1454European history
Thirteen Years' War: The Secret Council of the Prussian Confederation sends a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, sparking the Thirteen Years' War.
The Prussian Confederation's Secret Council delivers a formal act of disobedience to the Grand Master of the Teutonic Knights, igniting the Thirteen Years' War.
- 1555UK history
John Rogers is burned at the stake, becoming the first English Protestant martyr under Mary I of England.
John Rogers becomes the first English Protestant martyr under Mary I, burned at the stake at Smithfield for refusing to recant his faith.
- 1758US history
The city of Macapá in Brazil is founded by Sebastião Veiga Cabral.
Sebastião Veiga Cabral founds the city of Macapá in Brazil.
- 1797Disaster
The Riobamba earthquake strikes Ecuador, causing up to 40,000 casualties.
The Riobamba earthquake strikes, resulting in up to 40,000 deaths.
- 1810War
Napoleonic Wars: Britain seizes Guadeloupe.
British forces capture the French Caribbean colony of Guadeloupe, securing control of the strategically valuable sugar-producing island during the Napoleonic Wars.
- 1859Religion
The Codex Sinaiticus is discovered in Egypt.
Tischendorf discovers the Codex Sinaiticus, an ancient manuscript containing the oldest surviving complete New Testament.
- 1938WWII
Adolf Hitler appoints himself as head of the Armed Forces High Command.
Adolf Hitler assumes control over the German military as commander-in-chief.
- 1945WWII
World War II: The British Indian Army and Imperial Japanese Army begin a series of battles known as the Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations.
The British Indian Army and Imperial Japanese Army engage in the Battle of Pokoku and Irrawaddy River operations.
- 2008Politics
Civic mobilizations in Colombia against FARC, under the name A million voices against the FARC.
Colombians participate in mass protests known as "A Million Voices Against the FARC," expressing opposition to the guerrilla group.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 4
7 this date All birthdays
Eulalio Gutiérrez
Mexican general and politician, President of Mexico
Eulalio Gutiérrez, the Mexican general and politician who served as provisional president during the Mexican Revolution from November 1914 to January 1915, was born today in 1881.
Born
1881
Died
1939
Gotse Delchev
Bulgarian and Macedonian revolutionary activist
1872 – 1903
Varia Kipiani
Georgian scientist
b. 1879 · 147
Thomas Silverstein
American criminal and prisoner
1952 – 2019
Denis Savard
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
b. 1961 · 65
Clint Black
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1962 · 64
Michael A. Goorjian
American actor, director, and writer
b. 1971 · 55
Music
The number one songs on February 4
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 4, 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 4, 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 4, 1967
Lunar Orbiter program: Lunar Orbiter 3 lifts off from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 13 on its mission to identify possible landing sites for the Surveyor and Apollo spacecraft.
Lunar Orbiter 3 launches from Cape Canaveral to photograph potential landing sites for future Surveyor and Apollo missions.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Day of the Armed Struggle (Angola)
International
Angola has twelve public holidays that can be increased by bridge holidays if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday
Earliest day on which Ash Wednesday can fall, while March 10 is the latest; celebrated on the first day of Lent (Western Christianity)
International
Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations
Independence Day (Sri Lanka)
International
Independence Day, is a Sri Lankan national holiday celebrated annually on 4 February to commemorate the country’s political independence from British rule in 1948
Rosa Parks Day (California and Missouri, United States)
International
Rosa Parks Day is a holiday in honor of the civil rights leader Rosa Parks, celebrated in the U
World Cancer Day
International
World Cancer Day is an international day marked on 4 February to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment
International Day of Human Fraternity
International
The International Day of Human Fraternity, held annually on February 4, is a United Nations observance, established by the United Nations General Assembly on December 21, 2020, with resolution 75/200