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 12 Monday, January 12, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 12 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
5
Holidays
1808
Science 218 years ago
The organizational meeting leading to the creation of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a former Scottish learned society, is held in Edinburgh.
The Wernerian Natural History Society holds its organizational meeting in Edinburgh, launching what would become one of Scotland's prominent learned societies for natural history.
History
What happened on January 12
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 475European history
Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople, and his general, Basiliscus gains control of the empire.
Basiliscus seizes control of the Byzantine Empire as Emperor Zeno flees Constantinople.
- 1528Royalty
Gustav I of Sweden is crowned King of Sweden, having already reigned since his election in June 1523.
Gustav I is crowned King of Sweden, solidifying his rule after being elected in June 1523.
- 1554World history
Bayinnaung, who would go on to assemble the largest empire in the history of Southeast Asia, is crowned King of Burma.
Bayinnaung is crowned King of Burma, beginning his reign that would eventually unify much of mainland Southeast Asia.
- 1616US history
The city of Belém, Brazil is founded on the Amazon River delta by Portuguese captain Francisco Caldeira Castelo Branco.
Francisco Caldeira Castelo Branco founds Belém at the Amazon River delta.
- 1792US history
Federalist Thomas Pinckney appointed first U.S. minister to Britain.
Thomas Pinckney is appointed as the first U.S. minister to Britain by President George Washington.
- 1808Science
The organizational meeting leading to the creation of the Wernerian Natural History Society, a former Scottish learned society, is held in Edinburgh.
The Wernerian Natural History Society holds its organizational meeting in Edinburgh, launching what would become one of Scotland's prominent learned societies for natural history.
- 1848European history
The Palermo rising takes place in Sicily against the Bourbon Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Sicilian rebels rise up against Bourbon rule in Palermo, marking a significant moment in Italy's struggle for unification.
- 1962War
Vietnam War: Operation Chopper, the first American combat mission and first American helicopter assault in the war, takes place.
American helicopters transport South Vietnamese troops for a ground assault, marking the first U.S. combat mission in the Vietnam War.
- 1976Politics
The United Nations Security Council votes 11-1 to allow the Palestine Liberation Organization to participate in a Security Council debate (without voting rights).
The UN Security Council votes 11-1 to allow the Palestine Liberation Organization to participate in a debate without voting rights.
- 2005Technology
Deep Impact launches from Cape Canaveral on a Delta II rocket.
Deep Impact launches from Cape Canaveral on a Delta II rocket, beginning its mission to study comet Tempel 1.
- 2016Crime
Ten people are killed and 15 wounded in a bombing near the Blue Mosque in Istanbul.
A suicide bombing in Istanbul's Sultanahmet Square near the Blue Mosque kills ten people and wounds fifteen others.
- 2020Disaster
Taal Volcano in the Philippines erupts and kills 39 people.
Taal Volcano erupts, killing 39 people.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 12
7 this date All birthdays
Alfred Rosenberg
Estonian-German architect and politician, Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories
Alfred Ernst Rosenberg, the Baltic German Nazi theorist and ideologue who served as Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories, was born in 1893.
Born
1893
Died
1946
Arif Yunusov
Azerbaijani author, historian, and human rights activist.
b. 1955 · 71
Per Gessle
Swedish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1959 · 67
Scott Burrell
American basketball player and coach
b. 1971 · 55
Hande Yener
Turkish singer-songwriter, producer, and actress
b. 1973 · 53
Angus Macdonald
New Zealand rugby player
b. 1981 · 45
Naya Rivera
American actress and singer
1987 – 2020
Music
The number one songs on January 12
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 12, 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 12, 1969
The New York Jets of the American Football League defeat the Baltimore Colts of the National Football League to win Super Bowl III in what is considered to be one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
The New York Jets upset the Baltimore Colts to win Super Bowl III, cementing their place as underdogs in sports history.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 12, 2005
Deep Impact launches from Cape Canaveral on a Delta II rocket.
Deep Impact launches from Cape Canaveral on a Delta II rocket, beginning its mission to study comet Tempel 1.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Memorial Day (Turkmenistan)
International
The Memorial Day is an official holiday of Turkmenistan, commemorated on 12 January
National Youth Day (India)
International
National Youth Day, also known as Vivekananda Jayanti, is celebrated annually on 12 January, being the birthday of a Hindu monk, Swami Vivekananda
Prosecutor General's Day (Russia)
International
The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia
Yennayer (Algeria)
International
Yennayer is the first month of the Berber (Amazigh) calendar
Zanzibar Revolution Day (Tanzania)
International
Public holidays in Tanzania are in accordance with the Public Holidays Act, amended among others in December 1964, August 1966, July 2022, and are observed throughout the nation