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 25 Sunday, January 25, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 25 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
6
Holidays
1650
World history 376 years ago
As part of the purges following the Great Potosí Mint Fraud of 1649 Francisco Gómez de la Rocha, a rich former corregidor of Potosí, is executed.
Francisco Gómez de la Rocha, a wealthy former corregidor of Potosí implicated in the Great Potosí Mint Fraud, is executed during the subsequent purges.
History
What happened on January 25
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 41Politics
After a night of negotiation, Claudius is accepted as Roman emperor by the Senate.
Claudius is accepted as Rome's new emperor after a night of negotiations with the Senate.
- 750War
In the Battle of the Zab, the Abbasid rebels defeat the Umayyad Caliphate, leading to the overthrow of the dynasty.
The Abbasid rebels defeat the Umayyad Caliphate in the Battle of the Zab, marking the end of Umayyad rule.
- 1327UK history
Fourteen-year-old Edward III ascends the throne of England after his father the king is forced to abdicate by Queen Isabella and her lover, Roger Mortimer.
Edward III becomes King of England at fourteen after his father's abdication, orchestrated by Queen Isabella and Roger Mortimer.
- 1348Disaster
A strong earthquake strikes the South Alpine region of Friuli in modern Italy, causing considerable damage to buildings as far away as Rome.
A powerful earthquake devastates the South Alpine region of Friuli, damaging buildings as far as Rome.
- 1479World history
The Treaty of Constantinople ends the 16-year-long First Ottoman-Venetian War.
The Treaty of Constantinople concludes the First Ottoman, Venetian War, ending 16 years of conflict over trade routes and territorial control in the eastern Mediterranean.
- 1494European history
Alfonso II becomes King of Naples.
Alfonso II ascends to the throne as King of Naples.
- 1554US history
São Paulo, Brazil, is founded by Jesuit priests.
Jesuit priests found São Paulo, establishing what would become Brazil's most populous city.
- 1573War
Battle of Mikatagahara: In Japan, Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Takeda Shingen defeats Tokugawa Ieyasu in the Battle of Mikatagahara.
- 1650World history
As part of the purges following the Great Potosí Mint Fraud of 1649 Francisco Gómez de la Rocha, a rich former corregidor of Potosí, is executed.
Francisco Gómez de la Rocha, a wealthy former corregidor of Potosí implicated in the Great Potosí Mint Fraud, is executed during the subsequent purges.
- 1787US history
Shays' Rebellion: The rebellion's largest confrontation, outside the Springfield Armory, results in the killing of four rebels and the wounding of twenty.
Four rebels are killed and twenty wounded during a confrontation outside the Springfield Armory.
- 1792UK history
The London Corresponding Society is founded.
The London Corresponding Society is established as a political organization for working men to discuss and advocate for social reform.
- 1819US history
University of Virginia chartered by Commonwealth of Virginia, with Thomas Jefferson one of its founders.
Thomas Jefferson helped found the University of Virginia, which was chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 25
7 this date All birthdays
Anna Gardner
American abolitionist and teacher
Anna Gardner, an American abolitionist and teacher who published the call for the first antislavery meeting in Nantucket at which Frederick Douglass made his first public speech, was born today in 1816.
Born
1816
Died
1901
J. Marion Sims
American gynecologist and physician
1813 – 1883
Aino Aalto
Finnish architect and designer
1894 – 1949
Speedy West
American guitarist and producer
1924 – 2003
Geoff Johns
American author, screenwriter, and producer
b. 1973 · 53
Alicia Keys
American singer-songwriter, pianist, and actress
b. 1981 · 45
Maria Kirilenko
Russian tennis player
b. 1987 · 39
Music
The number one songs on January 25
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 25, 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 25, 1924
The 1924 Winter Olympics opens in Chamonix, in the French Alps, inaugurating the Winter Olympic Games.
The Winter Olympics begin in Chamonix, France, marking the inaugural Winter Olympic Games.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 25, 1947
Thomas Goldsmith Jr. files a patent for a "Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device", the first ever electronic game.
Thomas Goldsmith Jr. patents the Cathode Ray Tube Amusement Device, considered the first electronic game.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Betico Day (Aruba)
International
Gilberto François "Betico" Croes was an Aruban political activist who was a proponent for Aruba's separation from the Netherlands Antilles
Burns Night (Scotland)
International
A Burns supper is a celebration of the life and poetry of the poet Robert Burns, the author of many Scots poems
National Nutrition Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays
National Police Day (Egypt)
International
National Police Day is a national holiday in Egypt that occurs each year on 25 January
National Voters' Day (India)
International
National Voters' Day is celebrated annually in India on 25 January to mark the foundation day of Election Commission of India
Revolution Day 2011 (Egypt)
International
Public holidays are celebrated by the entire population of Egypt