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 18 Wednesday, March 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 18 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
7
Holidays
1793
European history 233 years ago
Flanders Campaign of the French Revolution, Battle of Neerwinden.
French forces under Charles François Dumouriez suffer a decisive defeat against Austrian troops at Neerwinden, prompting Dumouriez's defection and France's withdrawal from the Austrian Netherlands.
History
What happened on March 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 37World history
Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (aka Caligula = Little Boots) emperor.
The Roman Senate annuls Tiberius' will and proclaims Gaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, known as Caligula, the new emperor.
- 417Religion
Pope Zosimus is elected following the death of Pope Innocent I.
Zosimus is elected pope after the death of Innocent I.
- 1068Disaster
An earthquake in the Levant and the Arabian Peninsula leaves up to 20,000 dead.
An earthquake strikes the Levant and Arabian Peninsula, killing up to 20,000 people.
- 1229Royalty
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, declares himself King of Jerusalem in the Sixth Crusade.
Frederick II crowns himself King of Jerusalem in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, concluding a bloodless crusade achieved through diplomacy rather than warfare.
- 1241War
First Mongol invasion of Poland: Mongols overwhelm Polish armies in Kraków in the Battle of Chmielnik and plunder the city.
Mongol forces defeat Polish armies in the Battle of Chmielnik, leading to the sacking and plundering of Kraków.
- 1314Religion
Jacques de Molay, the 23rd and final Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake.
Jacques de Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar, is burned at the stake.
- 1438Royalty
Albert II of Habsburg becomes King of the Romans.
Albert II is crowned King of the Romans, beginning his reign over the German kingdom.
- 1571UK history
Valletta is made the capital city of Malta.
Valletta becomes the capital city of Malta.
- 1644US history
The Third Anglo-Powhatan War begins in the Colony of Virginia.
The Third Anglo-Powhatan War starts in the Colony of Virginia, marking a new phase of conflict between English settlers and Native Americans.
- 1673US history
English lord John Berkeley sells his half of New Jersey to the Quakers.
English nobleman John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, sells his proprietary interest in New Jersey to a group of Quakers for £1,000.
- 1793European history
Flanders Campaign of the French Revolution, Battle of Neerwinden.
French forces under Charles François Dumouriez suffer a decisive defeat against Austrian troops at Neerwinden, prompting Dumouriez's defection and France's withdrawal from the Austrian Netherlands.
- 1834UK history
Six farm labourers from Tolpuddle, Dorset, England are sentenced to be transported to Australia for forming a trade union.
Six farm labourers from Tolpuddle are sentenced to transportation to Australia for forming a trade union.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 18
7 this date All birthdays
Miguel Poblet
Spanish cyclist
Miguel Poblet, the Spanish cyclist who became the first Spaniard to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France and the first rider to win stages in all three Grand Tours in the same year, was born today in 1928.
Born
1928
Died
2013
John C. Calhoun
American lawyer and politician, 7th Vice President of the United States
1782 – 1850
Jacob Bunn
American businessman
1814 – 1897
Clem Hill
Australian cricketer and engineer
1877 – 1945
Jeff Mullins
American basketball player and coach
b. 1942 · 84
Thomas Ian Griffith
American actor, producer, screenwriter, musician and martial artist
b. 1962 · 64
Sutton Foster
American actress, singer, and dancer
b. 1975 · 51
Music
The number one songs on March 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 18, 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 18, 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 18, 1899
Phoebe, a satellite of Saturn, becomes the first to be discovered with photographs, taken in August 1898, by William Henry Pickering.
William Henry Pickering discovers Phoebe, a satellite of Saturn, using photographic plates.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Anniversary of the Oil Expropriation (Mexico)
International
In Mexico, there are three major kinds of public holidays:Statutory holiday: holidays observed all around Mexico
Flag Day (Aruba)
International
The national flag of Aruba was adopted on 18 March 1976, along with the official anthem "Aruba Dushi Tera"
Gallipoli Memorial Day (Turkey)
International
The naval operations in the Dardanelles campaign took place against the Ottoman Empire during the First World War
Men's and Soldiers' Day (Mongolia)
International
Mongolian military Day is a public celebration day in Mongolia is celebrated on 18 March annually
Ordnance Factories' Day (India)
International
The Directorate of Ordnance is an authority under the Department of Defence Production (DDP) of Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India
Sheelah's Day (Ireland, Canada, Australia)
International
Sheelah's Day, also known as Sheelagh's Day, is an Irish cultural holiday celebrated on 18 March which coincides with Saint Patrick's Day