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 31 Saturday, January 31, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on January 31 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
3
Holidays
1891
European history 135 years ago
History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution breaks out in the northern city of Porto.
A republican uprising begins in Porto, marking Portugal's first organized attempt to overthrow its constitutional monarchy.
History
What happened on January 31
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 314Religion
Pope Sylvester I is consecrated, as successor to the late Pope Miltiades.
Sylvester I is consecrated as pope, succeeding Miltiades.
- 1208European history
The Battle of Lena takes place between King Sverker II of Sweden and his rival, Prince Eric, whose victory puts him on the throne as King Eric X of Sweden.
Prince Eric defeats King Sverker II in the Battle of Lena, securing the Swedish throne for himself as King Eric X.
- 1266European history
The Mudéjar of Murcia, who had rebelled against the Crown of Castile during the Mudéjar revolt of 1264-1266, surrender the city to James I of Aragon after a siege lasting a month.
The Mudéjar of Murcia surrender the city to James I of Aragon following a month-long siege.
- 1504World history
The Treaty of Lyon ends the Italian War, confirming French domination of northern Italy, while Spain receives the Kingdom of Naples.
France and Spain divide Italy through the Treaty of Lyon, with France dominating the north and Spain securing the Kingdom of Naples.
- 1578European history
Eighty Years' War and Anglo-Spanish War: The Battle of Gembloux is a victory for Spanish forces led by Don John of Austria over a rebel army of Dutch, Flemish, English, Scottish, German, French and Walloons.
Spanish forces led by Don John of Austria defeat a coalition of rebels in the Battle of Gembloux.
- 1606UK history
Gunpowder Plot: Four of the conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for treason by hanging, drawing and quartering, for plotting against Parliament and King James.
Four Gunpowder Plot conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, are executed for treason through hanging, drawing, and quartering.
- 1609World history
Wisselbank of Amsterdam established
The Wisselbank of Amsterdam is founded as a currency exchange office for foreign merchants.
- 1703War
Forty-seven rōnin, under the command of Ōishi Kuranosuke, avenged the death of their master, by killing Kira Yoshinaka.
The forty-seven rōnin, led by Ōishi Kuranosuke, avenge their master's death by killing Kira Yoshinaka.
- 1747UK history
The first venereal diseases clinic opens at London Lock Hospital.
The world's first clinic dedicated to treating venereal diseases opens at London Lock Hospital.
- 1865US history
American Civil War: The United States Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, abolishing slavery, and submits it to the states for ratification.
The U.S. Congress passes the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery and submitting it for state ratification.
- 1891European history
History of Portugal: The first attempt at a Portuguese republican revolution breaks out in the northern city of Porto.
A republican uprising begins in Porto, marking Portugal's first organized attempt to overthrow its constitutional monarchy.
- 1978UK history
The Crown of St. Stephen (also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary) goes on public display after being returned to Hungary from the United States, where it was held after World War II.
The Crown of St. Stephen, also known as the Holy Crown of Hungary, returns to public display in Hungary after being held in the United States following World War II.
Born today
Famous birthdays on January 31
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 66
Grant Morrison
Scottish author and screenwriter
Grant Morrison, the Scottish comic book writer known for nonlinear narratives and countercultural work on DC Comics titles including Animal Man, Doom Patrol, and Arkham Asylum, turns 66 today.
Born
1960
Turns 66
today
Franz Schubert
Austrian pianist and composer
1797 – 1828
Shastriji Maharaj
Indian spiritual leader, founded BAPS
1865 – 1951
John O'Hara
American author, playwright, and screenwriter
1905 – 1970
Alan Lomax
American historian, author, and scholar
1915 – 2002
Johan Derksen
Dutch footballer and journalist
b. 1949 · 77
Akbar Ganji
Iranian journalist and author
b. 1960 · 66
Music
The number one songs on January 31
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on January 31, 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 31, 1988
Doug Williams becomes the first African American quarterback to play in a Super Bowl and leads the Washington Redskins to victory in Super Bowl XXII.
Doug Williams becomes the first African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl, leading the Washington Redskins to victory.
Read the story
🔬 Science January 31, 1971
Apollo program: Apollo 14: Astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell, aboard a Saturn V, lift off for a mission to the Fra Mauro Highlands on the Moon.
Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell launch aboard a Saturn V rocket bound for the lunar Fra Mauro Highlands.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Amartithi (Meherabad, India, followers of Meher Baba)
International
Meher Baba was an Indian spiritual master who said he was the Avatar, or the total manifestation of God in human form
Independence Day (Nauru), celebrates independence from Australia in 1968.
International
This is a list of holidays in Nauru, an island nation in Micronesia
Street Children's Day (Austria)
International
The non-profit organisation Jugend Eine Welt, Don Bosco Aktion Austria was founded at the inaugural meeting on 28 June 1997