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 26 Monday, January 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 26 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
1531
Disaster 495 years ago
The 6.4-7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people.
A powerful earthquake strikes Lisbon, killing approximately thirty thousand people and destroying much of the Portuguese capital.
History
What happened on January 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 661World history
The Rashidun Caliphate is effectively ended with the assassination of Ali, the last caliph.
Ali, the fourth caliph and last leader of the Rashidun Caliphate, is assassinated, marking the end of a pivotal era in Islamic history.
- 1531Disaster
The 6.4-7.1 Mw Lisbon earthquake kills about thirty thousand people.
A powerful earthquake strikes Lisbon, killing approximately thirty thousand people and destroying much of the Portuguese capital.
- 1564War
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia in the Battle of Ula during the Livonian War.
The Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeats the Tsardom of Russia at the Battle of Ula, a significant victory in the Livonian War.
- 1641War
Reapers' War: Battle of Montjuïc, decisive victory of the Catalan army (with French support) over the Spanish army.
The Catalan army, with French support, wins a decisive battle at Montjuïc against the Spanish army.
- 1699World history
For the first time, the Ottoman Empire permanently cedes territory to the Christian powers.
The Ottoman Empire loses territory to Christian powers for the first time, marking a significant shift in European-Ottoman relations.
- 1700Disaster
The 8.7-9.2 Mw Cascadia earthquake takes place off the west coast of North America, as evidenced by Japanese records.
A powerful earthquake estimated at magnitude 8.7 to 9.2 strikes off the west coast of North America, later confirmed through Japanese tsunami records.
- 1788UK history
The British First Fleet, led by Arthur Phillip, sails into Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) to establish Sydney, the first permanent European settlement on Australia. Commemorated as Australia Day.
Arthur Phillip leads the First Fleet into Port Jackson to found Sydney, marking the beginning of the first permanent European settlement in Australia.
- 1837US history
Michigan is admitted as the 26th U.S. state.
Michigan joins the Union as the 26th U.S. state.
- 1870US history
Reconstruction Era: Virginia is readmitted to the Union.
Virginia is readmitted to the Union, marking a significant step in the state's reintegration after the Civil War.
- 1918War
Finnish Civil War: A group of Red Guards hangs a red lantern atop the tower of Helsinki Workers' Hall to symbolically mark the start of the war.
A group of Red Guards hangs a red lantern atop Helsinki Workers' Hall to signal the beginning of the Finnish Civil War.
- 1939War
Spanish Civil War: Catalonia Offensive: Troops loyal to nationalist General Francisco Franco and aided by Italy take Barcelona.
Troops loyal to General Francisco Franco, with Italian support, capture Barcelona in the Spanish Civil War.
- 2001Crime
Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, is killed in a dog attack in San Francisco. The resulting court case clarified the meaning of implied malice murder.
Diane Whipple, a lacrosse coach, is killed by two Presa Canarios, leading to a court case that defined implied malice murder.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 26
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 64
Oscar Ruggeri
Argentine footballer and manager
Oscar Ruggeri, Argentine centre-back nicknamed El Cabezón who won the 1986 FIFA World Cup and two Copa América titles with Argentina, turns 64 today.
Born
1962
Turns 64
today
Alda Facio
Costa Rican jurist, writer and teacher
b. 1948 · 78
Ivan Hlinka
Czech ice hockey player and coach
1950 – 2004
Lucinda Williams
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1953 · 73
Wayne Gretzky
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
b. 1961 · 65
Alice Powell
British racing driver
b. 1993 · 33
Montrezl Harrell
American basketball player
b. 1994 · 32
Music
The number one songs on January 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 26, 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 26, 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 26, 1962
Ranger 3 is launched to study the Moon. The space probe later misses the Moon by 22,000 miles (35,400 km).
Ranger 3 is launched to study the Moon but later misses its target by 22,000 miles.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Australia Day (Australia)
International
Australia Day is the official national day of Australia
Republic Day (India)
International
Republic Day is a national holiday in India commemorating the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of India and the country's transition to a republic which came into effect on 26 January 1950