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
August 1 Saturday, August 1, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 1 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
8
Holidays
1571
World history 455 years ago
The Ottoman conquest of Cyprus is concluded, by the surrender of Famagusta.
Famagusta surrenders to the Ottomans after a brutal 11-month siege, completing their conquest of Cyprus and ending Venetian rule on the island.
History
What happened on August 1
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -30World history
Octavian (later known as Augustus) enters Alexandria, Egypt, executes Marcus Antonius Antyllus, and brings the city under the control of the Roman Republic. (date is O.S.)
Octavian executes Marcus Antonius Antyllus and brings Alexandria under Roman control.
- 69War
Batavian rebellion: The Batavians in Germania Inferior (Netherlands) revolt under the leadership of Gaius Julius Civilis.
Gaius Julius Civilis leads a revolt of the Batavians against Roman rule in Germania Inferior.
- 527World history
Justinian I becomes the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire.
Justinian I becomes the sole ruler of the Byzantine Empire, marking the beginning of his extensive reforms and conquests.
- 607World history
Ono no Imoko is dispatched as envoy to the Sui court in China (Traditional Japanese date: July 3, 607).
Ono no Imoko is sent to the Sui court in China as Japan's first official envoy.
- 902European history
Taormina, the last Byzantine stronghold in Sicily, is captured by the Aghlabid army, concluding the Muslim conquest of Sicily.
The Aghlabid army captures Taormina, ending Byzantine rule and completing the Muslim conquest of Sicily.
- 1203European history
Isaac II Angelos, restored Byzantine Emperor, declares his son Alexios IV Angelos co-emperor after pressure from the forces of the Fourth Crusade.
Isaac II Angelos declares his son Alexios IV co-emperor in response to pressures from the Fourth Crusade forces.
- 1291European history
The Old Swiss Confederacy is formed with the signature of the Federal Charter.
Three cantons sign the Federal Charter, forming the Old Swiss Confederacy and establishing the foundation of modern Switzerland.
- 1469European history
Louis XI of France founds the chivalric order called the Order of Saint Michael in Amboise.
Louis XI establishes the Order of Saint Michael, a chivalric order in Amboise.
- 1498World history
Christopher Columbus becomes the first European to visit what is now Venezuela.
Christopher Columbus reaches present-day Venezuela, marking the first European encounter with the region.
- 1571World history
The Ottoman conquest of Cyprus is concluded, by the surrender of Famagusta.
Famagusta surrenders to the Ottomans after a brutal 11-month siege, completing their conquest of Cyprus and ending Venetian rule on the island.
- 1620US history
Speedwell leaves Delfshaven to bring pilgrims to America by way of England.
The Mayflower's companion ship Speedwell sets sail from Delfshaven with English Pilgrims bound for America.
- 1798War
French Revolutionary Wars: Battle of the Nile (Battle of Aboukir Bay): Battle begins when a British fleet engages the French Revolutionary Navy fleet in an unusual night action.
A British fleet under Horatio Nelson engages the French Revolutionary Navy in Aboukir Bay, initiating the Battle of the Nile in an unusual nighttime action.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 1
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on August 1
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 1, 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 August 1, 1976
Niki Lauda has a severe accident that almost claims his life at the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring.
Niki Lauda survives a near-fatal crash during the German Grand Prix at Nürburgring.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 1, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Lebanon)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Armed Forces Day (China) or Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Liberation Army (People's Republic of China)
International
PLA Day, also known as Army Day, is a professional military holiday celebrated annually by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the military of China, on 1 August
Azerbaijani Language and Alphabet Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Emancipation Day is commemorated in many parts of the former British Empire, which marks the day the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 came into effect which abolished chattel slavery in the British Empire: Emancipation Day is a public holiday in Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
International
Barbados is an island nation in the Caribbean located in the Atlantic Ocean
Minden Day (United Kingdom)
International
Minden Day is a regimental anniversary celebrated on 1 August by certain units of the British Army
National Day, celebrates the independence of Benin from France in 1960.
International
This is a list of holidays in Benin