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 7 Saturday, March 7, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on March 7 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
1
Holidays
1951
Disaster 75 years ago
Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 crashes in Lynnhurst, Minneapolis, killing 15 people.
Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 crashes in the Lynnhurst neighborhood of Minneapolis, killing all 15 passengers and crew aboard.
History
What happened on March 7
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 161World history
Marcus Aurelius and L. Commodus (who changes his name to Lucius Verus) become joint emperors of Rome on the death of Antoninus Pius.
Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus succeed Antoninus Pius as joint emperors of Rome.
- 681Religion
The Third Council of Constantinople deposes patriarch Macarius I of Antioch.
The Third Council of Constantinople deposes Macarius I as patriarch of Antioch for promoting Monothelitism, a heresy regarding Christ's will.
- 1138European history
Konrad III von Hohenstaufen is elected king of Germany at Coblenz in the presence of the papal legate Theodwin.
Konrad III von Hohenstaufen is elected king of Germany in Coblenz with the support of the papal legate Theodwin.
- 1277Religion
The University of Paris issues the last in a series of condemnations of various philosophical and theological theses.
The University of Paris issues its final condemnation in a series targeting philosophical and theological propositions, marking a pivotal moment in medieval scholastic debate.
- 1573World history
A peace treaty is signed between the Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice, ending the Ottoman-Venetian War and leaving Cyprus in Ottoman hands.
The Ottoman Empire and the Republic of Venice sign a peace treaty, concluding the Ottoman-Venetian War and ceding Cyprus to the Ottomans.
- 1799War
Napoleon Bonaparte captures Jaffa in Palestine and his troops proceed to kill more than 2,000 Albanian captives.
Napoleon's forces capture Jaffa and execute over 2,000 Albanian prisoners.
- 1814War
Emperor Napoleon I of France wins the Battle of Craonne.
Napoleon defeats a Prussian army at the Battle of Craonne.
- 1826Crime
Shrigley abduction: 15-year old Ellen Turner is abducted by Edward Gibbon Wakefield, a future figure in the establishment of colonies in South Australia and New Zealand.
Ellen Turner, 15, is abducted by Edward Gibbon Wakefield, who later plays a key role in establishing colonies in South Australia and New Zealand.
- 1951Disaster
Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 crashes in Lynnhurst, Minneapolis, killing 15 people.
Northwest Orient Airlines Flight 307 crashes in the Lynnhurst neighborhood of Minneapolis, killing all 15 passengers and crew aboard.
- 1951War
Korean War: Operation Ripper: United Nations troops led by General Matthew Ridgway begin an assault against Chinese forces.
United Nations troops launch Operation Ripper, an offensive against Chinese forces in the Korean War.
- 2006Crime
The terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba coordinates a series of bombings in Varanasi, India.
Lashkar-e-Taiba carries out coordinated bombings in Varanasi, India.
- 2024European history
Sweden officially joins NATO, becoming its 32nd member.
Sweden becomes the 32nd member of NATO, joining the alliance after a long period of neutrality.
Born today
Famous birthdays on March 7
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 74
William Boyd
British author and screenwriter
William Boyd, British novelist and screenwriter known for "A Good Man in Africa," "Any Human Heart," and "Restless," turns 74 today.
Born
1952
Turns 74
today
Cecilie Thoresen Krog
Norwegian women's rights pioneer
1858 – 1911
William L. Laurence
Lithuanian-American journalist
1888 – 1977
Antony Armstrong-Jones
1st Earl of Snowdon, English photographer and politician
1930 – 2017
Billy MacMillan
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
1943 – 2023
Rick Bass
American author and environmentalist
b. 1958 · 68
Taylor Dayne
American singer-songwriter and actress
b. 1962 · 64
Music
The number one songs on March 7
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on March 7, 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 7, 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 7, 1876
Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for an invention he calls the "telephone".
Alexander Graham Bell is granted a patent for his telephone invention.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
1 celebrated today
Maritime Day in Slovenia
International
The Maritime Day is an anniversary in Slovenia dedicated to maritime activities and history
❝
The best research for playing a drunk is being a British actor for 20 years.
— William Boyd · born March 7, 1952