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 19 Monday, January 19, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 19 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
649
War 1377 years ago
Conquest of Kucha: The forces of Kucha surrender after a forty-day siege led by Tang dynasty general Ashina She'er, establishing Tang control over the northern Tarim Basin in Xinjiang.
Tang dynasty general Ashina She'er accepts the surrender of Kucha after a forty-day siege, securing control over the northern Tarim Basin.
History
What happened on January 19
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 379World history
Emperor Gratian elevates Flavius Theodosius at Sirmium to Augustus, and gives him authority over all the eastern provinces of the Roman Empire.
Flavius Theodosius is elevated to Augustus by Emperor Gratian, granting him control over the eastern Roman provinces.
- 649War
Conquest of Kucha: The forces of Kucha surrender after a forty-day siege led by Tang dynasty general Ashina She'er, establishing Tang control over the northern Tarim Basin in Xinjiang.
Tang dynasty general Ashina She'er accepts the surrender of Kucha after a forty-day siege, securing control over the northern Tarim Basin.
- 1419War
Hundred Years' War: Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England, completing his reconquest of Normandy.
Rouen surrenders to Henry V of England, completing his conquest of Normandy.
- 1421European history
John VIII Palaiologos marries Sophia of Montferrat and is then crowned Byzantine co-emperor to his father Manuel II Palaiologos.
John VIII Palaiologos marries Sophia of Montferrat and is crowned co-emperor alongside his father Manuel II Palaiologos.
- 1511European history
The Italian Duchy of Mirandola surrenders to the Pope.
The Duchy of Mirandola surrenders to papal forces under Julius II, ending its independence after a brief siege.
- 1520European history
Sten Sture the Younger, the Regent of Sweden, is mortally wounded at the Battle of Bogesund and dies on February 3.
Sten Sture the Younger, the Regent of Sweden, is mortally wounded in battle and later dies.
- 1607US history
San Agustin Church in Manila is officially completed; it is the oldest church still standing in the Philippines.
San Agustin Church in Manila is completed, becoming the oldest stone church still standing in the Philippines.
- 1639European history
Hämeenlinna (Swedish: Tavastehus) is granted privileges after it separated from the Vanaja parish as its own city in Tavastia.
Hämeenlinna becomes an independent city in Tavastia, receiving privileges separate from the Vanaja parish.
- 1764UK history
John Wilkes is expelled from the British House of Commons for seditious libel.
John Wilkes is expelled from the British House of Commons for seditious libel.
- 1788UK history
The second group of ships of the First Fleet arrive at Botany Bay.
Eleven ships carrying more than 1400 people arrive at Botany Bay, marking a significant step in the establishment of the first British colony in Australia.
- 1899UK history
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is formed.
Britain and Egypt establish joint control over Sudan, creating the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
- 1981US history
Iran hostage crisis: United States and Iranian officials sign an agreement to release 52 American hostages after 14 months of captivity.
United States and Iranian officials sign an agreement to release 52 American hostages after 14 months.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 19
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 69
Kenneth McClintock
Puerto Rican public servant and politician, 22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
Kenneth McClintock, Puerto Rican politician who served as the twenty-second Secretary of State and co-chaired Hillary Clinton's National Hispanic Leadership Council in 2008, turns 69 today.
Born
1957
Turns 69
today
Edgar Allan Poe
American short story writer, poet, and critic
1809 – 1849
Tippi Hedren
American model, actress, and animal rights-welfare activist
b. 1930 · 96
Ziaur Rahman
Bangladeshi general and politician, seventh President of Bangladesh
1936 – 1981
Katey Sagal
American actress and singer
b. 1954 · 72
Susan Solomon
American atmospheric chemist
b. 1956 · 70
Antero Manninen
Finnish cellist
b. 1973 · 53
Music
The number one songs on January 19
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 19, 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 19, 2007
Four-man Team N2i, using only skis and kites, completes a 1,093-mile (1,759 km) trek to reach the Antarctic pole of inaccessibility for the first time since 1965 and for the first time ever without mechanical assistance.
Four-man Team N2i skis and kites to the Antarctic pole of inaccessibility, covering 1,093 miles without mechanical aid.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 19, 1942
World War II: The Japanese conquest of Burma begins.
Japanese forces invade Burma, marking the beginning of their campaign to control the region.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Confederate Heroes Day (Texas), and its related observance: Robert E. Lee Day (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi)
International
Robert E
Husband's Day (Iceland)
International
Man's Day and Woman's Day are traditional celebration days in Iceland, which were traditionally determined according to the old Icelandic calendar
Kokborok Day (Tripura, India)
International
Kokborok Day is a festival celebrated in the Indian state of Tripura to celebrate the development of the Kokborok language
Theophany / Epiphany (Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy), and its related observances: Timkat, or 20 during Leap Year (Ethiopian Orthodox)
International
Timkat is an Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church celebration of Epiphany
Theophany / Epiphany (Eastern and Oriental Orthodoxy), and its related observances: Vodici or Baptism of Jesus (North Macedonia)
International
Public holidays are observed in the Republic of North Macedonia for a number of reasons, including religious and national significance