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
March 11 Wednesday, March 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 11 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
1708
UK history 318 years ago
Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation.
Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch refuses to sign legislation into law.
History
What happened on March 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 843Religion
Triumph of Orthodoxy: Empress Theodora II restores the veneration of icons in the Orthodox churches in the Byzantine Empire.
Empress Theodora II reinstates the veneration of icons in Orthodox churches across the Byzantine Empire.
- 1343Religion
Arnošt of Pardubice becomes the last Bishop of Prague (3 March 1343 O.S.), and, a year later, the first Archbishop of Prague.
Arnošt of Pardubice becomes the last Bishop of Prague and, a year later, the first Archbishop when the diocese is elevated to an archbishopric.
- 1387War
Battle of Castagnaro: Padua, led by John Hawkwood, is victorious over Giovanni Ordelaffi of Verona.
John Hawkwood leads Padua to victory over Giovanni Ordelaffi's forces in the Battle of Castagnaro.
- 1641War
Guaraní forces living in the Jesuit reductions defeat bandeirantes loyal to the Portuguese Empire at the Battle of Mbororé in present-day Panambí, Argentina.
Guaraní forces defeat bandeirantes in the Battle of Mbororé, defending their territory within Jesuit reductions.
- 1649European history
The Frondeurs and the French government sign the Peace of Rueil.
The Frondeurs and the French government agree to end their conflict with the Peace of Rueil.
- 1702UK history
The Daily Courant, England's first national daily newspaper, is published for the first time.
The Daily Courant begins publication as England's first national daily newspaper.
- 1708UK history
Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch vetoes legislation.
Queen Anne withholds Royal Assent from the Scottish Militia Bill, the last time a British monarch refuses to sign legislation into law.
- 1845War
Flagstaff War: Unhappy with translational differences regarding the Treaty of Waitangi, chiefs Hōne Heke, Kawiti and Māori tribe members chop down the British flagpole for a fourth time and drive settlers out of Kororāreka, New Zealand.
Chiefs Hōne Heke and Kawiti lead Māori tribes in chopping down the British flagpole for the fourth time, driving settlers from Kororāreka.
- 1888Disaster
The Great Blizzard of 1888 begins along the eastern seaboard of the United States, shutting down commerce and killing more than 400 people.
A severe blizzard paralyzes the eastern U.S., halting commerce and causing over 400 deaths.
- 1981Politics
Hundreds of students protest in the University of Pristina in Kosovo, then part of Yugoslavia, to give their province more political rights. The protests then became a nationwide movement.
Students in Pristina protest for greater provincial autonomy, sparking a national movement.
- 1982Disaster
Fifteen people are killed when Widerøe Flight 933 crashes into the Barents Sea near Gamvik, Norway.
Widerøe Flight 933 crashes into the Barents Sea near Gamvik, Norway, killing all fifteen people on board.
- 2023War
The Burmese military kills at least 30 villagers, including 3 Buddhist monks, during the Pinlaung massacre in Shan State, Myanmar.
The Burmese military kills at least 30 villagers, including three Buddhist monks, in the Pinlaung massacre.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 11
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 62
Peter Berg
American director, producer, screenwriter, and actor
Peter Berg, American director known for Friday Night Lights, Lone Survivor, and Deepwater Horizon, as well as his work as an actor and producer, turns 62 today.
Born
1964
Turns 62
today
Raoul Walsh
American actor and director
1887 – 1980
Margaret Oakley Dayhoff
American biochemist and academic
1925 – 1983
Ralph Abernathy
American minister and activist
1926 – 1990
Rupert Murdoch
Australian-American businessman and media magnate
b. 1931 · 95
Wallace Langham
American actor
b. 1965 · 61
Greg Olsen
American football player and commentator
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on March 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 11, 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 March 11, 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 March 11, 2008
Space Shuttle Endeavour launches on STS-123, carrying the first component of the Japanese Kibō module to the International Space Station.
The Space Shuttle Endeavour launches with the first part of the Japanese Kibō module for the International Space Station.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of Restoration of Independence from the Soviet Union in 1990 (Lithuania)
International
All official holidays in Lithuania are established by acts of Seimas
Moshoeshoe Day (Lesotho)
International
Moshoeshoe I was the first king of Lesotho
Saudi Flag Day
International
Saudi Flag Day, officially the Flag Day, is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia observed annually on March 11 to commemorate the adoption of the unstandardized version of the country's national flag by K