Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is a 1980 American space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. The screenplay, based on a story by George Lucas, was written by Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan. It was the second film released in the Star Wars saga, and the fifth in terms of internal chronology. The film is set three years after the destruction of the Death Star. The villainous Darth Vader and the forces of the Galactic Empire are in pursuit of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and the Rebel Alliance. While Vader chases Han and Leia across the galaxy, Luke studies the Force under Jedi Master Yoda. Vader uses Luke's friends to set a trap for him, leading to a fierce confrontation between the black-armored Sith and the young Jedi which ends with a shocking revelation. Following a difficult production, The Empire Strikes Back was released on May 21, 1980. The film initially received mixed reviews from critics, although it has since grown in esteem, becoming one of the most popular chapters in the Star Wars saga. It earned more than US$538 million worldwide over the original run and several re-releases, making it the highest grossing film of 1980. When adjusted for inflation, it is the 12th highest grossing film of all time.

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_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:

1775:

American Revolutionary War: British forces took Bunker Hill outside of Boston. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Bunker_Hill

1789:

French Revolution: The Third Estate of France declared itself the National Assembly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Assembly_%28French_Revolution%29

1963:

Buddhist crisis: Riots involving around 2000 people broke out in South Vietnam, despite the signing of the Joint Communique to resolve the crisis one day earlier. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Communique

1972:

Five men were arrested for attempted burglary on the offices of the Democratic National Committee in the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C., igniting the Watergate scandal that ultimately led to the resignation of U.S. President Richard Nixon more than two years later. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_complex

1982:

The body of Italian banker Roberto Calvi, known as "God's Banker" due to his close association with the Vatican, was found hanging from scaffolding beneath London's Blackfriars Bridge. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Calvi

_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:

dalliance (n): 1. A wasting of time in idleness or trifles. 2. Playful flirtation; amorous play http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/dalliance

___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:

Whether one believes in evolution, intelligent design, or Divine Creation, one thing is certain. Since the beginning of history, human beings have been at war with each other, under the pretext of religion, ideology, ethnicity and other reasons. And no civilization has ever willingly given up its most powerful weapons. We seem to agree today that we can share modern technology, but we still refuse to acknowledge that our values — at their very core — are shared values. --Mohamed ElBaradei http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Mohamed_ElBaradei