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 9 Monday, February 9, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on February 9 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
8
Holidays
1929
Politics 97 years ago
Members of the Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng assassinate the labor recruiter Bazin, prompting a crackdown by French colonial authorities.
Members of the Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng assassinate French labor recruiter Bazin, prompting a harsh crackdown by colonial authorities in Vietnam.
History
What happened on February 9
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 474European history
Zeno is crowned as co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Zeno is crowned co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire alongside his brother Leontius.
- 1003European history
Boleslaus III is restored to authority with armed support from Bolesław I the Brave of Poland.
Boleslaus III of Bohemia regains his ducal throne with military backing from Bolesław I the Brave of Poland.
- 1098War
A First Crusade army led by Bohemond of Taranto wins a major battle against the Seljuq emir Ridwan of Aleppo during the siege of Antioch.
Bohemond of Taranto leads a Crusader army to victory against the Seljuq emir Ridwan in a crucial battle during the siege of Antioch.
- 1539Sports
The first recorded race is held on Chester Racecourse, known as the Roodee.
The Roodee hosts its inaugural horse racing event, marking the beginning of Chester Racecourse's long history.
- 1555Religion
Bishop of Gloucester John Hooper is burned at the stake.
John Hooper, the Bishop of Gloucester, is burned at the stake for heresy.
- 1621Religion
Gregory XV becomes Pope, the last Pope elected by acclamation.
Gregory XV is named the last pope to be chosen by acclamation.
- 1654European history
The Capture of Fort Rocher takes place during the Anglo-Spanish War.
French forces capture Fort Rocher from the Spanish, marking a significant victory in the Anglo-Spanish War.
- 1775US history
American Revolutionary War: The British Parliament declares Massachusetts in rebellion.
The British Parliament declares Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion.
- 1778US history
Rhode Island becomes the fourth US state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
Rhode Island joins as the fourth U.S. state to ratify the Articles of Confederation.
- 1822War
Haiti attacks the newly established Dominican Republic on the other side of the island of Hispaniola.
Haiti invades the Dominican Republic, marking a significant conflict between the two nations sharing the island of Hispaniola.
- 1825US history
After no candidate receives a majority of electoral votes in the US presidential election of 1824, the United States House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams as sixth President of the United States in a contingent election.
The House of Representatives elects John Quincy Adams as the sixth president after no candidate wins a majority in the electoral college.
- 1929Politics
Members of the Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng assassinate the labor recruiter Bazin, prompting a crackdown by French colonial authorities.
Members of the Việt Nam Quốc Dân Đảng assassinate French labor recruiter Bazin, prompting a harsh crackdown by colonial authorities in Vietnam.
Born today
Famous birthdays on February 9
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 45
Daisuke Sekimoto
Japanese wrestler
Daisuke Sekimoto, a Japanese professional wrestler who has won three BJW World Strong Heavyweight Championships and thirteen BJW Tag Team Championships, turns 44 today.
Born
1981
Turns 45
today
Henri-Joseph Rigel
German-French composer
1741 – 1799
Keʻelikōlani
Hawaiian royal and governor
1826 – 1883
Ronald Colman
English-American actor
1891 – 1958
Guy Standing
English economist and academic
b. 1948 · 78
John Walker Lindh
American Taliban member
b. 1981 · 45
Jalen Green
American basketball player
b. 2002 · 24
Music
The number one songs on February 9
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on February 9, 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 9, 1900
The Davis Cup competition is established.
The International Lawn Tennis Association establishes the Davis Cup, a men's team tennis event.
Read the story
🔬 Science February 9, 1996
Copernicium is discovered by Sigurd Hofmann, Victor Ninov et al.
Sigurd Hofmann and colleagues discover copernicium, a superheavy element named after Nicolaus Copernicus.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Alto of Altomünster
International
Alto, O
Blessed Anne Catherine Emmerich
International
Beatification is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their name
Ansbert of Rouen
International
Ansbert, sometimes called Ansbert of Chaussy, was a Frankish monk, abbot and bishop of Rouen, today regarded as a saint in the Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church
Apollonia
International
Saint Apollonia was one of a group of virgin martyrs who suffered in Alexandria during a local uprising against the Christians prior to the persecution of Decius
Bracchio
International
Saint Bracchio of Tours was an abbot
Einion the King (Western Orthodoxy)
International
Saint Einion Frenin was a late 5th and early 6th century Welsh confessor and saint of the Celtic Church