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 26 Thursday, November 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on November 26 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
3
Holidays
1789
US history 237 years ago
A national Thanksgiving Day is observed in the United States as proclaimed by President George Washington at the request of Congress.
President George Washington proclaims the first national Thanksgiving Day, establishing a tradition of gratitude following a congressional resolution.
History
What happened on November 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 783European history
The Asturian queen Adosinda is held at a monastery to prevent her nephew from retaking the throne from Mauregatus.
Adosinda, the Asturian queen, is confined to a monastery to thwart her nephew's attempt to reclaim the throne from Mauregatus.
- 1161War
Battle of Caishi: A Song dynasty fleet fights a naval engagement with Jin dynasty ships on the Yangtze river during the Jin-Song Wars.
A Song dynasty fleet engages in a naval battle against Jin dynasty ships on the Yangtze River.
- 1346European history
Having been elected German king at Rhens on 11 July 1346, Charles IV is crowned King of Germany by bishop Walram of Cologne in Bonn.
Charles IV is crowned King of Germany in Bonn by Bishop Walram of Cologne, following his election as German king at Rhens the previous month.
- 1476European history
Vlad the Impaler defeats Basarab Laiota with the help of Stephen the Great and Stephen V Báthory and becomes the ruler of Wallachia for the third time.
Vlad the Impaler defeats Basarab Laiota with assistance from Stephen the Great and Stephen V Báthory, reclaiming the throne of Wallachia.
- 1778World history
In the Hawaiian Islands, Captain James Cook becomes the first European to visit Maui.
Captain James Cook becomes the first European to set foot on Maui.
- 1789US history
A national Thanksgiving Day is observed in the United States as proclaimed by President George Washington at the request of Congress.
President George Washington proclaims the first national Thanksgiving Day, establishing a tradition of gratitude following a congressional resolution.
- 1805UK history
Official opening of Thomas Telford's Pontcysyllte Aqueduct.
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, designed by Thomas Telford, is officially opened, spanning the Dee Valley at a height of over 126 feet.
- 1852Disaster
An earthquake as high as magnitude 8.8 rocks the Banda Sea, triggering a tsunami and killing at least 60 in the Dutch East Indies.
An earthquake of up to magnitude 8.8 strikes the Banda Sea, triggering a tsunami that kills at least 60 people in the Dutch East Indies.
- 1917UK history
The Manchester Guardian publishes the 1916 secret Sykes-Picot Agreement between the United Kingdom and France.
The Manchester Guardian reveals the secret Sykes-Picot Agreement, dividing Middle Eastern territories between Britain and France.
- 1918Politics
The Montenegrin Podgorica Assembly votes for a "union of the people", declaring assimilation into the Kingdom of Serbia.
The Montenegrin Podgorica Assembly votes for union with Serbia, dissolving Montenegro's statehood and integrating it into the Kingdom of Serbia.
- 2004Science
The last Poʻouli (Black-faced honeycreeper) dies of avian malaria in the Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda, Hawaii, before it could breed, making the species in all probability extinct.
The last Poʻouli bird dies of avian malaria at the Maui Bird Conservation Center, likely rendering the black-faced honeycreeper species extinct.
- 2019Disaster
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes western Albania leaving at least 52 people dead and over 1,000 injured. This was the world's deadliest earthquake of 2019, and the deadliest to strike the country in 99 years.
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake strikes western Albania, killing at least 52 people and injuring over 1,000, marking the year's deadliest quake globally.
Born today
Famous birthdays on November 26
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 34
Anuel AA
Puerto Rican rapper and singer
Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago, known professionally as Anuel AA, turns 34 today; the Puerto Rican rapper and singer's music often samples and interpolates songs that were popular during his youth.
Born
1992
Turns 34
today
Ram Sharan Sharma
Indian historian and academic
1919 – 2011
Dale Sommers
American radio host
1943 – 2012
Dale Jarrett
American race car driver and sportscaster
b. 1956 · 70
Félix González-Torres
Cuban-American sculptor
1957 – 1996
Keith Ballard
American ice hockey player
b. 1982 · 44
Emiri Katō
Japanese voice actress and singer
b. 1983 · 43
Music
The number one songs on November 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on November 26, 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 26, 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 26, 2011
The Mars Science Laboratory launches to Mars with the Curiosity Rover.
NASA launches the Mars Science Laboratory towards Mars, carrying the Curiosity rover to explore the planet's surface.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Constitution Day (Abkhazia, Georgia)
International
The following is a list of public holidays in Abkhazia
Constitution Day (India)
International
The Constitution Day, also known as National Law Day, is celebrated in India on 26 November every year to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India
Republic Day (Mongolia)
International
The following are the public holidays in Mongolia and other special days