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 18 Wednesday, November 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 18 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
5
Holidays
1421
Disaster 605 years ago
St Elizabeth's flood: A dike in the Grote Hollandse Waard in the Netherlands breaks, killing about 10,000 people.
A dike breaks in the Grote Hollandse Waard, triggering the catastrophic St Elizabeth's flood that claims approximately 10,000 lives in the Netherlands.
History
What happened on November 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 326Religion
The old St. Peter's Basilica is consecrated by Pope Sylvester I.
Pope Sylvester I consecrates the original St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, built by Emperor Constantine over the traditional site of Saint Peter's tomb.
- 401European history
The Visigoths, led by king Alaric I, cross the Alps and invade northern Italy.
The Visigoths, led by King Alaric I, cross the Alps and begin their invasion of northern Italy.
- 1095Religion
The Council of Clermont begins: called by Pope Urban II, it led to the First Crusade to the Holy Land.
Pope Urban II calls the Council of Clermont, setting in motion the First Crusade to reclaim Jerusalem.
- 1105European history
Maginulfo is elected Antipope Sylvester IV in opposition to Pope Paschal II.
Maginulfo is elected Antipope Sylvester IV, opposing the authority of Pope Paschal II.
- 1210Religion
Pope Innocent III excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV for invading the Kingdom of Sicily after promising to recognize papal control over it.
Pope Innocent III excommunicates Holy Roman Emperor Otto IV for violating his promise to recognize papal control over the Kingdom of Sicily.
- 1302Religion
Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Unam sanctam, claiming spiritual supremacy for the papacy.
Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Unam sanctam, asserting the spiritual supremacy of the papacy over secular rulers.
- 1421Disaster
St Elizabeth's flood: A dike in the Grote Hollandse Waard in the Netherlands breaks, killing about 10,000 people.
A dike breaks in the Grote Hollandse Waard, triggering the catastrophic St Elizabeth's flood that claims approximately 10,000 lives in the Netherlands.
- 1493World history
Christopher Columbus first sights the island now known as Puerto Rico.
Christopher Columbus sights the island he names San Juan Bautista during his second voyage, later renamed Puerto Rico by its Spanish colonizers.
- 1601War
Tiryaki Hasan Pasha, an Ottoman provincial governor, routs the Habsburg forces commanded by Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria who were besieging Nagykanizsa.
Tiryaki Hasan Pasha defeats Archduke Ferdinand II's Habsburg forces at Nagykanizsa, ending the siege.
- 1626Religion
The new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is consecrated.
Pope Pius IV consecrates the completed St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
- 1760European history
The rebuilt debtors' prison, at the Castellania in Valletta, receives the first prisoners.
The Castellania in Valletta begins housing debtors in its newly reconstructed prison.
- 1809War
Napoleonic Wars: In a naval action, French frigates defeat British East Indiamen in the Bay of Bengal.
French frigates triumph over British East Indiamen in a significant naval battle in the Bay of Bengal.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 18
7 this date All birthdays
Henry Daglish
Australian politician, Premier of Western Australia
Henry Daglish, who became Western Australia's first Labor Premier in 1904, was born in Ballarat, Victoria in 1866.
Born
1866
Died
1920
Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia
1856 – 1929
Marjorie Gestring
American springboard diver
1922 – 1992
Knowlton Nash
Canadian journalist and author
1927 – 2014
Wilma Mankiller
American tribal chief
1945 – 2010
David Ortiz
Dominican-American baseball player
b. 1975 · 51
Nathan Kress
American actor and director
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on November 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 18, 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 18, 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 18, 2013
NASA launches the MAVEN probe to Mars.
NASA launches the MAVEN probe from Cape Canaveral to study the Martian atmosphere.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Day of Army and Victory (Haiti)
International
The following are public holidays in Haiti
Independence Day (Morocco), celebrates the independence of Morocco from France and Spain in 1956.
International
This is a list of holidays in Morocco
National Day (Oman)
International
The following is a list of public holidays in Oman
Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia celebrates the independence of Latvia from Russia in 1918.
International
Latvia's Independence Day, officially known as the Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, is celebrated annually on 18 November in Latvia
Remembrance Day of the Sacrifice of Vukovar in 1991 (Croatia)
International
The Battle of Vukovar was an 87-day siege of Vukovar in eastern Croatia by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), supported by various paramilitary forces from Serbia, between August and November 1991