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 5 Thursday, February 5, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 5 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
2
Holidays
1997
World history 29 years ago
The so-called Big Three banks in Switzerland announce the creation of a $71 million fund to aid Holocaust survivors and their families.
Switzerland's three largest banks establish a $71 million fund to assist Holocaust survivors and their families.
History
What happened on February 5
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -2World history
Caesar Augustus is granted the title pater patriae by the Roman Senate.
The Roman Senate grants Caesar Augustus the title pater patriae, signifying his role as the father of the nation.
- 62Disaster
An earthquake with an estimated intensity between IX or X on the Mercalli scale occurs in Pompeii, Italy.
A powerful earthquake strikes Pompeii, causing widespread destruction and death.
- 756World history
An Lushan proclaims himself Emperor of China, founding the short-lived state of Yan.
An Lushan declares himself Emperor and establishes the independent state of Yan in China.
- 1265Religion
Pope Clement IV is elected as the 183rd Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church.
Guy de Moulins becomes Pope Clement IV, the 183rd leader of the Catholic Church.
- 1576Religion
Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours and rejoins the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion.
Henry of Navarre renounces Catholicism and returns to lead the Protestant forces in the French Wars of Religion.
- 1597Religion
A group of early Japanese Christians are killed by the new government of Japan for being seen as a threat to Japanese society.
Japanese Christians are executed by the government for threatening social stability.
- 1783Disaster
In Calabria, a sequence of strong earthquakes begins.
A series of powerful earthquakes strikes Calabria, causing widespread damage and displacement.
- 1852Culture
The New Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, one of the largest and oldest museums in the world, opens to the public.
The New Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg opens, showcasing a vast collection of art and artifacts.
- 1869Science
The largest alluvial gold nugget in history, called the "Welcome Stranger", is found in Moliagul, Victoria, Australia.
A gold nugget named the "Welcome Stranger," the largest of its kind ever discovered, is unearthed in Moliagul, weighing over 71 kilograms.
- 1958US history
A hydrogen bomb known as the Tybee Bomb is lost by the US Air Force off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, never to be recovered.
The US Air Force loses a hydrogen bomb off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, during a training exercise; it remains on the ocean floor today.
- 1997World history
The so-called Big Three banks in Switzerland announce the creation of a $71 million fund to aid Holocaust survivors and their families.
Switzerland's three largest banks establish a $71 million fund to assist Holocaust survivors and their families.
- 2000War
Russian forces massacre at least 60 civilians in the Novye Aldi suburb of Grozny, Chechnya.
Russian forces massacre at least 60 civilians in the Novye Aldi suburb of Grozny during the Second Chechen War.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 5
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 41
Cristiano Ronaldo
Portuguese footballer
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for Al-Nassr and captains the Portugal national team, turns 41 today; widely regarded as one of the greatest players in history, he has won five Ballon d'Or awards.
Born
1985
Turns 41
today
John Witherspoon
Scottish-American minister and academic
1723 – 1794
Hank Aaron
American baseball player
1934 – 2021
John Beilein
American basketball player and coach
b. 1953 · 73
Chris Parnell
American actor and comedian
b. 1967 · 59
Marcus Grönholm
Finnish race car driver
b. 1968 · 58
Darren Lehmann
Australian cricketer and coach
b. 1970 · 56
Music
The number one songs on February 5
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 5, 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 5, 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 5, 1907
Belgian chemist Leo Baekeland announces the creation of Bakelite, the world's first synthetic plastic.
Leo Baekeland introduces Bakelite, marking it as the world’s first fully synthetic plastic.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Kashmir Solidarity Day (Pakistan)
International
Kashmir Solidarity Day is a national holiday observed in Pakistan on 5 February annually
Runeberg Day (Finland)
International
Runeberg Day is celebrated in Finland on February 5th in honor of the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg, who was born on this day in 1804
❝
Your love makes me strong, your hate makes me unstoppable.
— Cristiano Ronaldo · born February 5, 1985