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
June 12 Friday, June 12, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 12 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
8
Holidays
1418
European history 608 years ago
Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War: Parisians slaughter sympathizers of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, along with all prisoners, foreign bankers, and students and faculty of the College of Navarre.
During the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, Parisians massacre supporters of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, along with prisoners, foreign bankers, and members of the College of Navarre.
History
What happened on June 12
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 910War
Battle of Augsburg: The Hungarians defeat the East Frankish army under King Louis the Child, using the famous feigned retreat tactic of the nomadic warriors.
The Hungarians use a feigned retreat to defeat the East Frankish army led by King Louis the Child in Augsburg.
- 1206World history
The Ghurid general Qutb ud-Din Aibak founds the Delhi Sultanate.
Qutb ud-Din Aibak establishes the Delhi Sultanate, marking the beginning of Muslim rule in India.
- 1240Religion
At the instigation of Louis IX of France, an inter-faith debate, known as the Disputation of Paris, starts between a Christian monk and four rabbis.
A debate known as the Disputation of Paris begins between a Christian monk and four rabbists at the instigation of Louis IX of France.
- 1381UK history
Peasants' Revolt: In England, rebels assemble at Blackheath, just outside London.
Rebels gather at Blackheath to protest against economic and political injustices faced by peasants in England.
- 1418European history
Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War: Parisians slaughter sympathizers of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, along with all prisoners, foreign bankers, and students and faculty of the College of Navarre.
During the Armagnac-Burgundian Civil War, Parisians massacre supporters of Bernard VII, Count of Armagnac, along with prisoners, foreign bankers, and members of the College of Navarre.
- 1429War
Hundred Years' War: On the second day of the Battle of Jargeau, Joan of Arc leads the French army in their capture of the city and the English commander, William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk.
Joan of Arc leads the French to victory at Jargeau, capturing the city and English commander William de la Pole.
- 1550European history
The city of Helsinki, Finland (belonging to Sweden at the time) is founded by King Gustav I of Sweden.
King Gustav I of Sweden founds the city of Helsinki, which was then part of Sweden.
- 1643UK history
The Westminster Assembly is convened by the Parliament of England, without the assent of Charles I, in order to restructure the Church of England.
The Parliament of England convenes the Westminster Assembly to reform the Church of England without King Charles I's approval.
- 1653UK history
First Anglo-Dutch War: The Battle of the Gabbard begins, lasting until the following day.
The First Anglo-Dutch War sees the start of the Battle of the Gabbard, which continues into the next day.
- 1772World history
French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne and 25 of his men are killed by Māori in New Zealand.
French explorer Marc-Joseph Marion du Fresne and 25 crew members are killed by Māori in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
- 1775US history
American War of Independence: British general Thomas Gage declares martial law in Massachusetts. The British offer a pardon to all colonists who lay down their arms. There would be only two exceptions to the amnesty: Samuel Adams and John Hancock, if captured, were to be hanged.
British General Thomas Gage declares martial law in Massachusetts and offers pardons to all colonists who surrender, except Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who face execution.
- 1899Disaster
New Richmond tornado: The ninth deadliest tornado in U.S. history kills 117 people and injures around 200.
A devastating tornado strikes New Richmond, killing 117 people and injuring approximately 200.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 12
7 this date All birthdays
David Gill
Scottish-English astronomer and author
Sir David Gill, the Scottish astronomer who served as H.M. Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope, was born in Aberdeen in 1843.
Born
1843
Died
1914
Gao Zong
Chinese emperor
1107 – 1187
Ray Barbuti
American sprinter and football player
1905 – 1988
Ian Craig
Australian cricketer
1935 – 2014
Marc Tardif
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1949 · 77
James Tomlinson
English cricketer
b. 1982 · 44
Sam Thaiday
Australian rugby league player and sportscaster
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on June 12
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 12, 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 June 12, 1979
Bryan Allen wins the second Kremer prize for a man-powered flight across the English Channel in the Gossamer Albatross.
Bryan Allen wins the second Kremer Prize by flying the Gossamer Albatross across the English Channel using only human power.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 12, 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
8 celebrated today
Chaco Armistice Day (Paraguay)
International
The Chaco War was fought from 1932 to 1935
Dia dos Namorados (Brazil)
International
Dia dos Namorados is a special date celebrated on June 12 in Brazil, usually with gifts, romantic activities, decorations and festivities
Helsinki Day (Finland)
International
Helsinki Day is an annual celebration in Finland, held on 12 June, to celebrate the city of Helsinki
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of the Philippines from Spain in 1898.
International
Independence Day of the Philippines is a national holiday in the Philippines observed annually on June 12, commemorating the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain in 1898
June 12 Commemoration (Lagos State)
International
Nigeria has many public holidays declared by the government, as well as special days observed by the public
Loving Day (United States)
International
Loving Day is an annual celebration held on June 12, the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v