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
November 1 Sunday, November 1, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 1 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
8
Holidays
996
European history 1030 years ago
Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk, Bishop of Freising, which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi (Austria in Old High German).
Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk, Bishop of Freising, containing the first known written use of "Ostarrîchi," the Old High German name for Austria.
History
What happened on November 1
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 365Roman history
Roman Emperor Valentinian I learns the Alemanni have crossed the Rhine and invaded Gaul.
Valentinian I learns that the Alemanni have breached the Rhine and invaded Gaul.
- 996European history
Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk, Bishop of Freising, which is the oldest known document using the name Ostarrîchi (Austria in Old High German).
Emperor Otto III issues a deed to Gottschalk, Bishop of Freising, containing the first known written use of "Ostarrîchi," the Old High German name for Austria.
- 1141UK history
Empress Matilda's reign as "Lady of the English" ends as Stephen of Blois regains the title of "King of England".
Stephen of Blois regains the title of "King of England," ending Empress Matilda's reign as "Lady of the English."
- 1179UK history
Philip II is crowned King of France.
Philip II is crowned King of France, marking the beginning of his long reign that would shape medieval French history.
- 1214War
The port city of Sinope surrenders to the Seljuq Turks.
Sinope surrenders to the Seljuq Turks, marking a significant victory for Muslim forces in Anatolia.
- 1348European history
The anti-royalist Union of Valencia attacks the Jews of Murviedro on the pretext that they are serfs of the King of Valencia and thus "royalists".
The Union of Valencia attacks the Jewish community in Murviedro, accusing them of being royalist serfs loyal to the King of Valencia.
- 1503Religion
Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere is elected Pope and takes the name Julius II.
Giuliano della Rovere becomes Pope Julius II, marking the beginning of a papacy known for its military campaigns and patronage of the arts.
- 1555World history
French Huguenots establish the France Antarctique colony in present-day Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
French Huguenots found the France Antarctique colony in present-day Rio de Janeiro, marking one of the earliest European settlements in Brazil.
- 1683US history
The British Crown colony of New York is subdivided into 12 counties.
The British Crown colony of New York is subdivided into 12 counties, establishing the administrative framework that would shape the region's governance for centuries.
- 1688UK history
William III of Orange sets out a second time from Hellevoetsluis in the Netherlands to seize the crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland from King James II of England during the Glorious Revolution.
William III of Orange departs Hellevoetsluis on his second attempt to seize the English, Scottish, and Irish thrones from James II.
- 1790Politics
Edmund Burke publishes Reflections on the Revolution in France, in which he predicts that the French Revolution will end in a disaster.
Edmund Burke publishes "Reflections on the Revolution in France," predicting the revolution's downfall.
- 1800US history
John Adams becomes the first President of the United States to live in the Executive Mansion (later renamed the White House).
John Adams moves into the Executive Mansion, which would later be known as the White House.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 1
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 81
John Williamson
Australian singer-songwriter
John Williamson, Australian country and folk singer-songwriter known for songs celebrating outback history and culture including "True Blue," turns 81 today.
Born
1945
Turns 81
today
Rudolf IV
Duke of Austria
1339 – 1365
Al Arbour
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
1932 – 2015
Mitch Kapor
American computer programmer and businessman, founded Lotus Development and Electronic Frontier Foundation
b. 1950 · 76
Jessica Valenti
American author
b. 1978 · 48
Reece Brown
English footballer
b. 1991 · 35
Jiang Yuyuan
Chinese gymnast
b. 1991 · 35
Music
The number one songs on November 1
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 1, 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 November 1, 1987
British Rail Class 43 (HST) hits the record speed of 238 km/h for rail vehicles with on-board fuel to generate electricity for traction motors.
A British Rail Class 43 (HST) sets a speed record of 238 km/h, becoming the fastest rail vehicle powered by onboard fuel.
Read the story
🔬 Science November 1, 1957
The Mackinac Bridge, the world's longest suspension bridge between anchorages at the time, opens to traffic connecting Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.
The Mackinac Bridge opens, connecting Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas as the world's longest suspension span between anchorages.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
All Saints' Day, a holy day of obligation in some areas (a national holiday in many historically Catholic countries), and its related observance: Day of the Innocents, The first day of Day of the Dead or El Dia de los Muertos celebration. (Mexico, Haiti)
International
The Massacre of the Innocents is a story recounted in the Nativity narrative of the Gospel of Matthew (2:16-18) in which Herod the Great, king of Judea, orders the execution of all male children who a
Anniversary of the Revolution (Algeria)
International
This is a list of holidays in Algeria
Chavang Kut (Mizo people of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Burma)
International
A harvest festival is an annual celebration which occurs around the time of the main harvest of a given region
Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava (Chhattisgarh, India)
International
In the state of Chhattisgarh, India, 1 November of every year is celebrated as Chhattisgarh Rajyotsava, as a celebration of the state's official recognition in 2000
Coronation of the fifth Druk Gyalpo (Bhutan)
International
Public holidays in Bhutan consist of both national holidays and local festivals or tshechus
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Antigua and Barbuda from the United Kingdom in 1981.
International
Independence Day is a public holiday of Antigua and Barbuda, celebrated every year on 1 November