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 20 Tuesday, January 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 20 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
1320
European history 706 years ago
Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.
Władysław Łokietek is crowned King of Poland, reuniting the kingdom after decades of fragmentation.
History
What happened on January 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 250Religion
Pope Fabian is martyred during the Decian persecution.
Pope Fabian is killed during the persecution ordered by Emperor Decius.
- 1156Crime
Finnish peasant Lalli kills English clergyman Henry, the Bishop of Turku, on the ice of Lake Köyliö.
Lalli, a Finnish farmer, kills Henry, the Bishop of Turku, on the ice of Lake Köyliö.
- 1265UK history
The first English parliament to include not only Lords but also representatives of the major towns holds its first meeting in the Palace of Westminster, now commonly known as the "Houses of Parliament".
Representatives from major towns join lords in England's first parliament to include commoners, meeting at the Palace of Westminster.
- 1320European history
Duke Wladyslaw Lokietek becomes king of Poland.
Władysław Łokietek is crowned King of Poland, reuniting the kingdom after decades of fragmentation.
- 1356UK history
Edward Balliol surrenders his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in exchange for an English pension.
Edward Balliol relinquishes his claim to the Scottish throne to Edward III in return for an English pension.
- 1401European history
The Taula de canvi (Catalan: "Table of change"), described as Europe's first-ever public bank, began operations inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.
The Taula de canvi, Europe's first public bank, opened inside Barcelona's Llotja de Mar.
- 1567World history
Battle of Rio de Janeiro: Portuguese forces under the command of Estácio de Sá definitively drive the French out of Rio de Janeiro.
Portuguese forces under Estácio de Sá defeat French troops, definitively ending France's colonial presence in Rio de Janeiro.
- 1576US history
The Mexican city of León is founded by order of the viceroy Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza.
León is established in Mexico by viceroy Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza.
- 1649UK history
The High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I begins its proceedings.
The trial of King Charles I begins in the High Court of Justice.
- 1726Religion
J. S. Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen (My sighs, my tears), BWV 13, for the second Sunday after Epiphany.
Johann Sebastian Bach premieres his cantata "Meine Seufzer, meine Tränen,"BWV 13, at a service.
- 1788UK history
The third and main part of First Fleet arrives at Botany Bay, beginning the British colonization of Australia. Arthur Phillip decides that Port Jackson is a more suitable location for a colony.
Arthur Phillip leads the arrival of the Third Fleet at Botany Bay before choosing Port Jackson as the site for the new British colony.
- 1841UK history
Hong Kong Island is occupied by the British during the First Opium War.
The British occupy Hong Kong Island following their victory in the Battle of Chuenpi.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 20
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 45
Owen Hargreaves
English footballer
Owen Hargreaves, the hard-working midfielder known for his tireless defensive play, turns 44 today; he won four German league titles with Bayern Munich and helped Manchester United secure Premier League and Champions League victories.
Born
1981
Turns 45
today
Nevin Scrimshaw
American scientist
1918 – 2013
Patricia Neal
American actress
1926 – 2010
Chandra Wickramasinghe
Sri Lankan-English mathematician, astronomer, and biologist
b. 1939 · 87
David Lynch
American director, producer, and screenwriter
1946 – 2025
Wakanohana Masaru
Japanese sumo wrestler, the 66th Yokozuna
b. 1971 · 55
J. J. McCarthy
American football player
b. 2003 · 23
Music
The number one songs on January 20
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 20, 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 20, 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 20, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Mali)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Mali
Army Day (Laos)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Heroes' Day (Cape Verde)
International
This is a list of holidays in Cape Verde
Martyrs' Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Presidential inaugurations (United States)
International
Between seventy-three and seventy-nine days after the presidential election, the president-elect of the United States is inaugurated as president by taking the presidential oath of office