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 28 Saturday, March 28, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 28 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
2
Holidays
1065
World history 961 years ago
The Great German Pilgrimage, which had been under attack by Bedouin bandits for three days, is rescued by the Fatimid governor of Ramla.
The Fatimid governor of Ramla rescues the Great German Pilgrimage after three days of attacks by Bedouin bandits in the Holy Land.
History
What happened on March 28
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 37World history
Roman emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, bestowed on him by the Senate.
Caligula is granted the titles of the Principate by the Senate.
- 193World history
After assassinating the Roman Emperor Pertinax, his Praetorian Guards auction off the throne to Didius Julianus.
The Praetorian Guards auction off the Roman Empire's throne after killing Emperor Pertinax, with Didius Julianus becoming the highest bidder.
- 364World history
Roman Emperor Valentinian I appoints his brother Flavius Valens co-emperor.
Valentinian I appoints his brother Flavius Valens as co-emperor, dividing the rule of the Roman Empire.
- 1065World history
The Great German Pilgrimage, which had been under attack by Bedouin bandits for three days, is rescued by the Fatimid governor of Ramla.
The Fatimid governor of Ramla rescues the Great German Pilgrimage after three days of attacks by Bedouin bandits in the Holy Land.
- 1566European history
The foundation stone of Valletta, Malta's capital city, is laid by Jean Parisot de Valette, Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.
Jean Parisot de Valette lays the foundation stone for Valletta, the future capital of Malta.
- 1776US history
Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco.
Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza selects the site for the Presidio of San Francisco during his expedition to establish an overland route to Alta California.
- 1795European history
Partitions of Poland: The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia, a northern fief of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, ceases to exist and becomes part of Imperial Russia.
The Duchy of Courland and Semigallia ceases to exist and is annexed by Imperial Russia.
- 1854War
Crimean War: France and Britain declare war on Russia.
France and Britain declare war on Russia, marking the beginning of the Crimean War.
- 1862US history
American Civil War: In the Battle of Glorieta Pass, Union forces stop the Confederate invasion of the New Mexico Territory. The battle began on March 26.
Union forces defeat Confederates at the Battle of Glorieta Pass, halting their invasion of the New Mexico Territory.
- 1918War
Finnish Civil War: On the so-called "Bloody Maundy Thursday of Tampere", the Whites force the Reds to attack the city center, where the city's fiercest battles being fought in Kalevankangas with large casualties on both sides. During the same day, an explosion at the Red headquarters of Tampere kills several commanders.
Fierce battles and an explosion at Red headquarters lead to significant casualties in Tampere during the Finnish Civil War.
- 1939War
Spanish Civil War: Generalissimo Francisco Franco conquers Madrid after a three-year siege.
Francisco Franco's forces capture Madrid, ending the three-year Siege of Madrid.
- 2025Disaster
An earthquake strikes close to Mandalay, Myanmar with a magnitude of 7.7, killing over 5400 people.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake near Mandalay, Myanmar kills more than 5,400 people and devastates the region.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 28
7 this date All birthdays
Toko Shinoda
Japanese artist
Toko Shinoda, the Japanese artist renowned for her abstract sumi ink paintings and prints that blended traditional East Asian calligraphy with modernist sensibilities, was born today in 1913.
Born
1913
Died
2021
Frederick Pabst
German-American brewer, founded the Pabst Brewing Company
1836 – 1904
A. Bertram Chandler
English-Australian author
1912 – 1984
Marina Raskova
Russian pilot and navigator
1912 – 1943
Polly Umrigar
Indian cricketer
1926 – 2006
Conchata Ferrell
American actress
1943 – 2020
Julia Stiles
American actress
b. 1981 · 45
Music
The number one songs on March 28
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 28, 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 28, 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 28, 1776
Juan Bautista de Anza finds the site for the Presidio of San Francisco.
Juan Bautista de Anza discovers the location for the future Presidio of San Francisco during his expedition.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Serfs Emancipation Day (Tibet)
International
Serfs' Emancipation Day, observed annually on 28 March, is a holiday in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China that celebrates the emancipation of serfs in Tibet
Teachers' Day (Czech Republic and Slovakia)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers
❝
I want to express something that exists between the visible and invisible.
— Toko Shinoda · born March 28, 1913