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 13 Saturday, June 13, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 13 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
1944
WWII 82 years ago
World War II: German combat elements, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launch a counterattack on American forces near Carentan.
German forces, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, counterattack American troops near Carentan in the Battle of Normandy.
History
What happened on June 13
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 313World history
The decisions of the Edict of Milan, signed by Constantine the Great and co-emperor Valerius Licinius, granting religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire, are published in Nicomedia.
The Edict of Milan, granting religious freedom throughout the Roman Empire, is published in Nicomedia.
- 1325World history
Ibn Battuta begins his travels, leaving his home in Tangiers to travel to Mecca (gone 24 years).
Ibn Battuta leaves Tangier to embark on a 24-year journey to Mecca.
- 1381UK history
In England, the Peasants' Revolt, led by Wat Tyler, comes to a head, as rebels set fire to the Savoy Palace.
Rebels led by Wat Tyler burn down the Savoy Palace in London during the Peasants' Revolt.
- 1514UK history
Henry Grace à Dieu, at over 1,000 tons the largest warship in the world at this time, built at the new Woolwich Dockyard in England, is dedicated.
Henry Grace à Dieu, the largest warship of its time weighing over 1,000 tons, is dedicated at the newly established Woolwich Dockyard.
- 1525Religion
Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, against the celibacy rule decreed by the Roman Catholic Church for priests and nuns.
Martin Luther marries Katharina von Bora, defying the Catholic Church's celibacy requirement for clergy.
- 1625UK history
King Charles I of England marries Catholic princess Henrietta Maria of France and Navarre, at Canterbury.
King Charles I marries Henrietta Maria of France and Navarre, a Catholic princess, in Canterbury.
- 1774US history
Rhode Island becomes the first of Britain's North American colonies to ban the importation of slaves.
Rhode Island bans the importation of slaves, becoming the first British colony in North America to do so.
- 1777US history
American Revolutionary War: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette lands near Charleston, South Carolina, in order to help the Continental Congress to train its army.
Lafayette arrives near Charleston to assist the Continental Congress in training its military.
- 1805US history
Lewis and Clark Expedition: Scouting ahead of the expedition, Meriwether Lewis and four companions sight the Great Falls of the Missouri River.
Meriwether Lewis and his companions sight the Great Falls of the Missouri River during their scouting mission.
- 1850US history
The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is established in New York City.
The American League of Colored Laborers, the first African American labor union in the United States, is founded in New York City.
- 1944WWII
World War II: German combat elements, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launch a counterattack on American forces near Carentan.
German forces, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, counterattack American troops near Carentan in the Battle of Normandy.
- 2002US history
The United States withdraws from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
The United States formally withdraws from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, ending the 1972 arms control agreement with Russia.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 13
7 this date All birthdays
Alessandro Piccolomini
Italian astronomer and philosopher
Alessandro Piccolomini, the Italian humanist and astronomer from Siena who promoted the popularization of Latin and Greek scientific and philosophical works in the vernacular, was born today in 1508.
Born
1508
Died
1579
Frances Burney
English novelist and playwright
1752 – 1840
Gao Qifeng
Chinese painter
1889 – 1933
Leo Kanner
Ukrainian-American psychiatrist and medical doctor
1894 – 1981
Stuart Karppinen
Australian cricketer and coach
b. 1973 · 53
Sam Adams
American football player
b. 1973 · 53
Penny Oleksiak
Canadian swimmer
b. 2000 · 26
Music
The number one songs on June 13
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 13, 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 13, 1999
BMW win 1999 24 Hours of Le Mans
BMW wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans, marking a significant victory in endurance racing.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 13, 2010
A capsule of the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa, containing particles of the asteroid 25143 Itokawa, returns to Earth by landing in the Australian Outback.
A capsule from Japan's Hayabusa spacecraft lands in the Australian Outback, carrying particles from the asteroid Itokawa.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Inventors' Day (Hungary)
International
Inventors' Day is a day of the year set aside by a country to recognise the contributions of inventors
Suleimaniah City Fallen and Martyrs Day (Iraqi Kurdistan)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
International Albinism Awareness Day (international)
International
International Albinism Awareness Day (IAAD) is celebrated annually on June 13 to celebrate the human rights of persons with albinism worldwide