The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American epic space opera film in the
Star Wars series, directed by Irvin Kershner with a screenplay by Leigh
Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan, and based on a story by George Lucas.
Featuring an ensemble cast, the film recounts the battle between the
malevolent Galactic Empire led by the Emperor, and the Rebel Alliance
led by Princess Leia. Luke Skywalker trains to master the Force so he
can confront the powerful Sith lord, Darth Vader. The Empire Strikes
Back faced production difficulties, including actor injuries, illnesses,
fires, and financing issues, as costs rose to $30.5 million from an
initial budget of $8 million. This highly anticipated sequel became the
highest-grossing film of 1980. Its reception was mixed because of the
darker and more mature tone, but it has been reassessed as the best film
in the series, and has been listed among the greatest films of all time.
It has had a significant impact on filmmaking and popular culture.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Empire_Strikes_Back>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
1776:
American Revolution: The Colony of Rhode Island and Providence
Plantations became the first of the Thirteen Colonies to renounce its
allegiance to the British Crown.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colony_of_Rhode_Island_and_Providence_Plantations>
1942:
World War II: The Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Allied naval
forces at the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first fleet action in which
aircraft carriers engaged each other.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Coral_Sea>
1982:
Falklands War: HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile,
killing 20 sailors and leading to its sinking six days later—the first
Royal Navy ship sunk in action since World War II.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Sheffield_%28D80%29>
2015:
The Parliament of Malta moved from the Grandmaster's Palace to
the purpose-built Parliament House (pictured).
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_House_%28Malta%29>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
walking carpet:
(slang, derogatory or humorous) An exceptionally hairy person.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/walking_carpet>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
I am pleased that more than 100 civilians have successfully been
evacuated from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, in an operation
successfully coordinated by the United Nations and the International
Committee of the Red Cross. I hope the continued coordination with Kyiv
and Moscow will lead to more humanitarian pauses that will allow
civilians safe passage away from the fighting and aid to reach people
where the needs are greatest.
--António Guterres
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ant%C3%B3nio_Guterres>