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
January 11 Sunday, January 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 11 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
1158
European history 868 years ago
Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia becomes King of Bohemia.
Vladislaus II is crowned King of Bohemia by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, becoming the first Bohemian duke elevated to royal status.
History
What happened on January 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 532European history
Nika riots in Constantinople: A quarrel between supporters of different chariot teams, the Blues and the Greens, in the Hippodrome escalates into violence.
A dispute between supporters of the Blue and Green chariot racing teams in the Hippodrome erupts into violent riots.
- 630Religion
Conquest of Mecca: Muhammad and his followers conquer the city, and the Quraysh association of clans surrenders.
Muhammad conquers Mecca, leading to the surrender of the Quraysh clan.
- 930War
Sack of Mecca by the Qarmatians.
The Qarmatians capture and plunder Mecca, desecrating the Kaaba and stealing the sacred Black Stone.
- 1055Royalty
Theodora is crowned empress of the Byzantine Empire.
Theodora is crowned empress of the Byzantine Empire, ruling alone as the last of the Macedonian dynasty after the death of her sister Zoe.
- 1158European history
Vladislaus II, Duke of Bohemia becomes King of Bohemia.
Vladislaus II is crowned King of Bohemia by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, becoming the first Bohemian duke elevated to royal status.
- 1569UK history
First recorded lottery in England.
A lottery is held for the repair of the town bridge in Boston, marking the first recorded lottery in England.
- 1654War
Arauco War: A Spanish army is defeated by local Mapuche-Huilliches as it tries to cross Bueno River in Southern Chile.
A Spanish army is routed by Mapuche-Huilliche forces while attempting to cross the Bueno River in southern Chile.
- 1759US history
The first American life insurance company, the Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers and of the Poor and Distressed Widows and Children of the Presbyterian Ministers (now part of Unum Group), is incorporated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Corporation for Relief of Poor and Distressed Presbyterian Ministers is incorporated in Philadelphia, becoming the first American life insurance company.
- 1787Science
William Herschel discovers Titania and Oberon, two moons of Uranus.
William Herschel discovers Titania and Oberon, two moons orbiting Uranus.
- 1863War
American Civil War: The three-day Battle of Arkansas Post concludes as General John McClernand and Admiral David Dixon Porter capture Fort Hindman and secure control over the Arkansas River for the Union.
General John McClernand and Admiral David Dixon Porter capture Fort Hindman, securing the Arkansas River for the Union.
- 1863War
American Civil War: CSS Alabama encounters and sinks the USS Hatteras off Galveston Lighthouse in Texas.
The CSS Alabama sinks the USS Hatteras off the coast of Galveston, marking a significant victory for the Confederate navy.
- 1943World history
The Republic of China agrees to the Sino-British New Equal Treaty and the Sino-American New Equal Treaty.
The Republic of China signs new equal treaties with Britain and the United States, formally ending a century of unequal treaties imposed by Western powers.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 11
7 this date All birthdays
Theodoros Pangalos
Greek general and politician, President of Greece
Theodoros Pangalos, the Greek general and dictator who ruled Greece from June 1925 to August 1926, was born today in 1878.
Born
1878
Died
1952
James Paget
English surgeon and pathologist
1814 – 1899
Ernst Nolte
German historian and philosopher
1923 – 2016
Madeline Manning
American runner and coach
b. 1948 · 78
Charlie Huhn
American rock singer and guitarist
b. 1951 · 75
Mascarita Sagrada
Mexican wrestler
b. 1965 · 61
Scotty Cranmer
American BMX rider
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on January 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 11, 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 January 11, 1973
Major League Baseball owners vote in approval of the American League adopting the designated hitter position.
Major League Baseball owners approve the American League's adoption of the designated hitter position.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 11, 1917
The Kingsland munitions factory explosion occurs, possibly as a result of German sabotage.
A massive explosion at the Kingsland munitions factory kills over 100 people and causes millions in damage.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Children's Day (Tunisia)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Eugenio María de Hostos Day (Puerto Rico)
International
Eugenio María de Hostos y de Bonilla, known as El Gran Ciudadano de las Américas, was a Puerto Rican educator, philosopher, intellectual, lawyer, sociologist, novelist, and Puerto Rican independence a
Independence Resistance Day (Morocco)
International
This is a list of holidays in Morocco
Kagami biraki (Japan)
International
Kagami biraki is a traditional Japanese ceremony where kagami mochi are broken open
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (United States)
International
Lists of holidays by various categorizations
Republic Day (Albania)
International
There are 15 official public holidays observed in Albania