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 12 Thursday, November 12, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 12 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
2001
War 25 years ago
War in Afghanistan: Taliban forces abandon Kabul, ahead of advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops.
Taliban forces abandon Kabul ahead of advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops during the early phase of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.
History
What happened on November 12
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 954European history
The 13-year-old Lothair III is crowned at the Abbey of Saint-Remi as king of the West Frankish Kingdom.
Lothair III is crowned king of the West Frankish Kingdom at the Abbey of Saint-Rémy.
- 1028European history
Future Byzantine empress Zoe takes the throne as empress consort to Romanos III Argyros.
Zoe becomes empress consort of the Byzantine Empire alongside Romanos III Argyros.
- 1330War
Battle of Posada ends: Wallachian Voievode Basarab I defeats the Hungarian army by ambush.
Basarab I wins the Battle of Posada against the Hungarian army through a successful ambush.
- 1439UK history
Plymouth becomes the first town incorporated by the English Parliament.
Plymouth is incorporated as the first town by the English Parliament.
- 1835UK history
Construction is completed on the Wilberforce Monument in Kingston Upon Hull.
The Wilberforce Monument in Kingston upon Hull is completed, commemorating anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.
- 1893UK history
Abdur Rahman Khan accepts the Durand Line as the border between the Emirate of Afghanistan and the British Raj.
Abdur Rahman Khan agrees to the Durand Line as the boundary between his emirate and British India.
- 1918European history
Dissolution of Austria-Hungary: Austria becomes a republic. After the proclamation, a coup attempt by the communist Red Guard is defeated by the social-democratic Volkswehr.
Austria becomes a republic following the dissolution of Austria-Hungary, as the social-democratic Volkswehr defeats a coup attempt by the communist Red Guard.
- 1979US history
Iran hostage crisis: In response to the hostage situation in Tehran, U.S. President Jimmy Carter orders a halt to all petroleum imports into the United States from Iran.
Jimmy Carter orders a ban on Iranian oil imports in response to the hostage crisis in Tehran.
- 2001War
War in Afghanistan: Taliban forces abandon Kabul, ahead of advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops.
Taliban forces abandon Kabul ahead of advancing Afghan Northern Alliance troops during the early phase of the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan.
- 2015Disaster
Two suicide bombers detonate explosives in Bourj el-Barajneh, Beirut, killing 43 people and injuring over 200 others.
Two suicide bombers kill 43 and injure over 200 in a bombing at Bourj el-Barajneh, Beirut.
- 2021Popculture
The Los Angeles Superior Court formally ends the 14-year conservatorship to pop singer Britney Spears.
The Los Angeles Superior Court officially ends Britney Spears's 14-year conservatorship, restoring her control over personal and financial decisions.
- 2022Disaster
A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collide in mid-air over Dallas Executive Airport during an airshow, killing six.
A Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress and a Bell P-63 Kingcobra collide mid-air at an airshow in Dallas, resulting in six fatalities.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 12
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 50
Tevin Campbell
American R&B singer-songwriter and actor
Tevin Campbell, the American R&B singer who rose to fame as a teenage vocalist collaborating with Quincy Jones and later released the platinum album T.E.V.I.N., turns 49 today.
Born
1976
Turns 50
today
Robert Goff
Baron Goff of Chieveley, English lawyer and judge
1926 – 2016
Mort Shuman
American singer-songwriter and pianist
1938 – 1991
Al Michaels
American sportscaster
b. 1944 · 82
Hassan Rouhani
Iranian lawyer and politician; 7th President of Iran
b. 1948 · 78
Jack Reed
American soldier and politician
b. 1949 · 77
Russell Westbrook
American basketball player
b. 1988 · 38
Music
The number one songs on November 12
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 12, 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 12, 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 November 12, 2014
The Philae lander, deployed from the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe, reaches the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
The Philae lander touches down on Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko, marking the first time a spacecraft has landed on a comet.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Birth of Sun Yat-Sen, also Doctors' Day and Cultural Renaissance Day. (Republic of China)
International
The following are considered holidays in Taiwan
Constitution Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Father's Day (Indonesia)
International
Father's Day is a day set aside for honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society
National Health Day (Indonesia)
International
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays
National Youth Day (East Timor)
International
The culture of Timor-Leste reflects numerous cultural influences, including Portuguese, Roman Catholic, and Malay, on the indigenous Austronesian cultures in Timor-Leste
World Pneumonia Day
International
World Pneumonia Day provides an annual forum for the world in the fight against pneumonia