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 5 Thursday, March 5, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 5 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
1943
WWII 83 years ago
World War II: General strike and protest march in Athens against rumours of forced mobilization of Greek workers for work in Germany, resulting in clashes with the Axis occupation forces and collaborationist police. The decree is withdrawn on the next day.
A general strike and protest march in Athens against rumored forced mobilization of Greek workers for Germany leads to clashes with Axis occupation forces; the decree is withdrawn the next day.
History
What happened on March 5
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 363War
Roman emperor Julian leaves Antioch with an army of 90,000 to attack the Sasanian Empire, in a campaign which would bring about his own death.
Roman emperor Julian leads 90,000 soldiers from Antioch against the Sasanian Empire, a campaign that ultimately results in his death.
- 1046World history
Nasir Khusraw begins the seven-year Middle Eastern journey which he will later describe in his book Safarnama.
Nasir Khusraw embarks on a seven-year journey through the Middle East, later chronicled in his travelogue Safarnama.
- 1279European history
The Livonian Order is defeated in the Battle of Aizkraukle by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
The Livonian Order suffers a defeat at the Battle of Aizkraukle against the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
- 1496UK history
King Henry VII of England issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons, authorising them to explore unknown lands.
King Henry VII issues letters patent to John Cabot and his sons, authorizing them to explore unknown lands and claim new territories for England.
- 1616Science
Nicolaus Copernicus's book On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres is added to the Index of Forbidden Books 73 years after it was first published.
Nicolaus Copernicus's "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres" is added to the Index of Forbidden Books, 73 years after its initial publication.
- 1766US history
Antonio de Ulloa, the first Spanish governor of Louisiana, arrives in New Orleans.
Antonio de Ulloa arrives in New Orleans as the first Spanish governor.
- 1770US history
Boston Massacre: Five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, are fatally shot by British troops in an event that would contribute to the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War (also known as the American War of Independence) five years later.
Five Americans, including Crispus Attucks, are killed by British soldiers in the Boston Massacre, an event that fuels tensions leading to the Revolutionary War.
- 1825Crime
Roberto Cofresí, one of the last successful Caribbean pirates, is defeated in combat and captured by authorities.
Roberto Cofresí, one of the last successful Caribbean pirates, is defeated in combat and captured by authorities off the coast of Puerto Rico.
- 1860European history
Parma, Tuscany, Modena and Romagna vote in referendums to join the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Residents of Parma, Tuscany, Modena, and Romagna vote in referendums to unite with the Kingdom of Sardinia.
- 1939War
Spanish Civil War: The National Defence Council seizes control of the republican government in a coup d'etat, with the intention of negotiating an end to the war.
The National Defence Council takes control of the republican government in a coup, aiming to negotiate an end to the Spanish Civil War.
- 1943WWII
World War II: General strike and protest march in Athens against rumours of forced mobilization of Greek workers for work in Germany, resulting in clashes with the Axis occupation forces and collaborationist police. The decree is withdrawn on the next day.
A general strike and protest march in Athens against rumored forced mobilization of Greek workers for Germany leads to clashes with Axis occupation forces; the decree is withdrawn the next day.
- 2018War
Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) pause the Deir ez-Zor campaign due to the Turkish-led invasion of Afrin.
The Syrian Democratic Forces halt their campaign in Deir ez-Zor due to a Turkish-led invasion in Afrin.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 5
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 69
Ray Suarez
American journalist and author
Ray Suarez, American broadcast journalist and author who hosts PBS's "Wisdom Keepers" and previously served as a visiting professor at NYU Shanghai, turns 69 today.
Born
1957
Turns 69
today
Heitor Villa-Lobos
Brazilian guitarist and composer
1887 – 1959
Dean Stockwell
American actor
1936 – 2021
Wilf Tranter
English footballer
b. 1945 · 81
Vazgen Sargsyan
Armenian colonel and politician, 8th Prime Minister of Armenia
1959 – 1999
Scott Skiles
American basketball player and coach
b. 1964 · 62
Yuri Lowenthal
American voice actor, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1971 · 55
Music
The number one songs on March 5
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 5, 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 5, 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 5, 1979
Soviet probes Venera 11, Venera 12 and the German-American solar satellite Helios II all are hit by "off the scale" gamma rays leading to the discovery of soft gamma repeaters.
Venera 11, Venera 12, and Helios II detect unprecedented gamma-ray bursts, leading to the identification of soft gamma repeaters.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Learn from Lei Feng Day (China)
International
Lei Feng, born Lei Zhengxing, was a Chinese soldier in the People's Liberation Army who was the object of several major propaganda campaigns in China
St Piran's Day (Cornwall)
International
Saint Piran's Day, or the Feast of Saint Piran, is the national day of Cornwall, held on 5 March every year