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 26 Thursday, March 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 26 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
6
Holidays
1344
War 682 years ago
The Siege of Algeciras, one of the first European military engagements where gunpowder was used, comes to an end.
The Siege of Algeciras ends, marking one of the first European military engagements to employ gunpowder weapons.
History
What happened on March 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 590European history
Emperor Maurice proclaims his son Theodosius as co-emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
Emperor Maurice proclaims his son Theodosius as co-emperor, sharing power in the Byzantine Empire.
- 624Religion
First Eid al-Fitr celebration.
Muslims worldwide mark the end of Ramadan with the first Eid al-Fitr celebration.
- 752Religion
Election of Pope Stephen II following the death of Pope Zachary.
Pope Stephen II is elected after the death of Pope Zachary.
- 1021Religion
The death of the Fatimid caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, kept secret for six weeks, is announced, along with the succession of his son, al-Zahir li-i'zaz Din Allah.
The death of Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah is revealed, followed by the announcement of his son al-Zahir li-i'zaz Din Allah as the new caliph.
- 1027Religion
Pope John XIX crowns Conrad II as Holy Roman Emperor.
Conrad II is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John XIX.
- 1169World history
Saladin becomes the emir of Egypt.
Saladin becomes the emir of Egypt, marking his rise to power in the Islamic world.
- 1244European history
The crown of Aragon and the crown of Castile agree in the Treaty of Almizra on the limits of their respective expansion into al-Andalus.
The crowns of Aragon and Castile establish territorial boundaries for their expansion into al-Andalus through the Treaty of Almizra.
- 1344War
The Siege of Algeciras, one of the first European military engagements where gunpowder was used, comes to an end.
The Siege of Algeciras ends, marking one of the first European military engagements to employ gunpowder weapons.
- 1351War
Combat of the Thirty: Thirty Breton knights call out and defeat thirty English knights.
Thirty Breton knights defeated thirty English knights in a prearranged battle known as the Combat of the Thirty during the Breton War of Succession.
- 1484Technology
William Caxton prints his translation of Aesop's Fables.
William Caxton publishes the first English edition of Aesop's Fables.
- 1552Religion
Guru Amar Das becomes the Third Sikh guru.
Guru Amar Das succeeds Guru Angad and becomes the third Sikh guru.
- 1640Royalty
The Royal Academy of Turku, the first university of Finland, is founded in the city of Turku by Queen Christina of Sweden at the proposal of Count Per Brahe.
Queen Christina of Sweden establishes the Royal Academy of Turku, Finland's first university, at the proposal of Count Per Brahe.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 26
7 this date All birthdays
Charles of Lorraine
duke of Mayenne
Charles de Lorraine, duc de Mayenne, a French noble and military commander who played a major role in the latter French Wars of Religion, was born in 1554.
Born
1554
Died
1611
Conrad Gessner
Swiss botanist and zoologist
1516 – 1565
A. E. Housman
English poet and scholar
1859 – 1936
Palmiro Togliatti
Italian journalist and politician, Italian Minister of Justice
1893 – 1964
Edward Sorel
American illustrator and caricaturist
b. 1929 · 97
Trey Azagthoth
American guitarist, songwriter, and producer
b. 1965 · 61
Erick Morillo
Colombian-American disc jockey, record label owner, and music producer
1971 – 2020
Music
The number one songs on March 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 26, 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 26, 1915
The Vancouver Millionaires win the 1915 Stanley Cup Final, the first championship played between the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association.
The Vancouver Millionaires win the Stanley Cup, marking the first championship between teams from the Pacific Coast Hockey Association and the National Hockey Association.
Read the story
🔬 Science March 26, 1958
The United States Army launches Explorer 3.
The United States Army launches Explorer 3, a satellite that detects the Van Allen radiation belts.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Independence Day and National Day (Bangladesh), celebrates the declaration of independence from Pakistan in 1971.
International
Independence Day, officially Independence and National Day, is celebrated on 26 March as a national holiday in Bangladesh
Martyr's Day or Day of Democracy (Mali)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Mali
National Science Appreciation Day (United States)
International
National Science Appreciation Day is celebrated in the United States on March 26 of each year
Prince Kūhiō Day (Hawaii, United States)
International
Prince Kūhiō Day is an official holiday in the state of Hawaiʻi in the United States
Purple Day (Canada and United States)
International
Purple Day is a global grassroots event that was formed with the intention to increase worldwide awareness of epilepsy, and to dispel common myths and fears of this neurological disorder
Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel (Eastern Christianity)
International
A synaxis is a liturgical assembly in Eastern Christianity