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 16 Friday, January 16, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 16 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
1362
Disaster 664 years ago
Saint Marcellus's flood kills at least 25,000 people on the shores of the North Sea.
Saint Marcellus's flood devastates the North Sea coast, claiming at least 25,000 lives in one of medieval Europe's deadliest natural disasters.
History
What happened on January 16
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -1458World history
Hatshepsut dies at the age of 50 and is buried in the Valley of the Kings.
Hatshepsut, one of ancient Egypt's most renowned pharaohs, dies at age 50 and is laid to rest in the Valley of the Kings.
- -27World history
Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus is granted the title Augustus by the Roman Senate, marking the beginning of the Roman Empire.
The Roman Senate grants Gaius Julius Caesar Octavianus the title Augustus, marking the start of the Roman Empire.
- 378World history
General Siyaj K'ak' conquers Tikal, enlarging the domain of King Spearthrower Owl of Teotihuacán.
General Siyaj K'ak' conquers the Maya city of Tikal, extending the influence of Teotihuacán and its ruler Spearthrower Owl across Mesoamerica.
- 550War
The Ostrogoths, under King Totila, conquer Rome after a long siege, by bribing the Isaurian garrison.
King Totila of the Ostrogoths conquers Rome by bribing the Isaurian garrison, ending a prolonged siege.
- 929World history
Emir Abd-ar-Rahman III establishes the Caliphate of Córdoba.
Emir Abd-ar-Rahman III proclaims the independent Caliphate of Córdoba, marking the height of Islamic rule in medieval Iberia.
- 1120Religion
Crusades: The Council of Nablus is held, establishing the earliest surviving written laws of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The Council of Nablus establishes the earliest surviving written laws of the Crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem.
- 1275UK history
Edward I permits his mother Eleanor of Provence to expel the Jews from the towns Worcester, Marlborough, Cambridge and Gloucester.
Edward I allows his mother Eleanor of Provence to expel Jews from Worcester, Marlborough, Cambridge, and Gloucester.
- 1349European history
Basel Massacre: Dozens to hundreds of Jews were burned to death by Christians after being accused of causing the Black Death.
Dozens to hundreds of Jews were burned alive by Christians who accused them of spreading the Black Death.
- 1362Disaster
Saint Marcellus's flood kills at least 25,000 people on the shores of the North Sea.
Saint Marcellus's flood devastates the North Sea coast, claiming at least 25,000 lives in one of medieval Europe's deadliest natural disasters.
- 1547World history
Grand Prince Ivan IV of Russia is crowned as Tsar of all Russia.
Ivan IV is crowned Tsar of all Russia, marking the beginning of autocratic rule in the country.
- 1556UK history
Philip II becomes King of Spain.
Philip II ascends to the throne of Spain, beginning a reign that would expand the empire to its greatest extent and make him Europe's most powerful monarch.
- 1605Culture
The first edition of El ingenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha (Book One of Don Quixote) by Miguel de Cervantes is published in Madrid, Spain.
Miguel de Cervantes publishes the first edition of "Don Quixote" in Madrid.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 16
7 this date All birthdays
Johannes Schöner
German astronomer and cartographer
Johannes Schöner, the German polymath who made significant contributions to astronomy, cartography, and scientific instrument making during the 16th century, was born today in 1477.
Born
1477
Died
1547
Robert W. Service
English-Canadian poet and author
1874 – 1958
Evripidis Bakirtzis
Greek soldier and politician
1895 – 1947
Ethel Merman
American actress and singer
1908 – 1984
Ronnie Milsap
American singer and pianist
b. 1943 · 83
Cliff Thorburn
Canadian snooker player
b. 1948 · 78
Kate Moss
English model and fashion designer
b. 1974 · 52
Music
The number one songs on January 16
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 16, 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 16, 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 January 16, 1913
Indian mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan writes his first letter to G. H. Hardy at Cambridge, stating without proof various formulae involving integrals, infinite series, and continued fractions, beginning a long correspondence between the two as well as widespread recognition of Ramanujan's results.
Srinivasa Ramanujan writes to G. H. Hardy at Cambridge, sharing complex mathematical formulae and initiating their influential collaboration.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
National Religious Freedom Day (United States)
International
Religious Freedom Day commemorates the Virginia General Assembly's adoption of Thomas Jefferson's landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786
Teachers' Day in Thailand and Myanmar
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers