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 15 Saturday, August 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 15 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
718
War 1308 years ago
Arab-Byzantine wars: Raising of the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople.
The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople ends in Byzantine victory, preserving the empire and halting the Umayyad advance into Europe.
History
What happened on August 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 636War
Arab-Byzantine wars: The Battle of Yarmouk between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate begins.
The Battle of Yarmouk begins, a decisive six-day engagement between the Byzantine Empire and the Rashidun Caliphate that will reshape control of the Levant.
- 717War
Arab-Byzantine wars: Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik begins the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople, which will last for nearly a year.
Maslama ibn Abd al-Malik initiates the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople, marking the beginning of a prolonged military campaign.
- 718War
Arab-Byzantine wars: Raising of the Second Arab Siege of Constantinople.
The Second Arab Siege of Constantinople ends in Byzantine victory, preserving the empire and halting the Umayyad advance into Europe.
- 805European history
Noble Erchana of Dahauua grants the Bavarian town of Dachau to the Diocese of Freising
Noble Erchana of Dahauua grants the Bavarian town of Dachau to the Diocese of Freising.
- 927European history
The Saracens conquer and destroy Taranto.
The Saracens capture and raze Taranto, marking a significant victory in their conquests.
- 982European history
Holy Roman Emperor Otto II is defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Capo Colonna, in Calabria.
Otto II is defeated by the Saracens in the Battle of Capo Colonna, marking a significant setback for his military ambitions.
- 1038Royalty
King Stephen I, the first king of Hungary, dies; his nephew, Peter Orseolo, succeeds him.
Peter Orseolo becomes king of Hungary upon the death of his uncle, Stephen I.
- 1096European history
Starting date of the First Crusade as set by Pope Urban II.
Pope Urban II sets the start date for the First Crusade, calling for Christian warriors to recapture Jerusalem from Muslim control.
- 1185World history
The cave city of Vardzia is consecrated by Queen Tamar of Georgia.
Queen Tamar consecrates the cave city of Vardzia, enhancing its significance as a religious and defensive stronghold.
- 1261European history
Michael VIII Palaiologos is crowned as the first Byzantine emperor in fifty-seven years.
Michael VIII Palaiologos is crowned emperor of the Byzantine Empire, ending a fifty-seven-year interregnum.
- 1281War
Mongol invasion of Japan: The Mongolian fleet of Kublai Khan is destroyed by a "divine wind" for the second time in the Battle of Kōan.
A typhoon destroys Kublai Khan's Mongol fleet during his second attempted invasion of Japan, an event the Japanese called kamikaze or "divine wind."
- 1310European history
The city of Rhodes surrenders to the forces of the Knights of St. John, completing their conquest of Rhodes. The knights establish their headquarters on the island and rename themselves the Knights of Rhodes.
The Knights of St. John complete their conquest of Rhodes, establishing it as their headquarters and renaming themselves the Knights of Rhodes.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 15
7 this date All birthdays
Ivan Meštrović
Croatian sculptor and architect
Ivan Meštrović, the Croatian sculptor and architect who became the most prominent modern Croatian sculptor and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, was born today in 1883.
Born
1883
Died
1962
Eliza Lee Cabot Follen
American writer, editor, abolitionist
1787 – 1860
Sangolli Rayanna
Indian warrior
1798 – 1831
Ramaprasad Chanda
Indian archaeologist and historian
1873 – 1942
Óscar Romero
Salvadoran archbishop
1917 – 1980
Leonard Baskin
American sculptor and illustrator
1922 – 2000
Stieg Larsson
Swedish journalist and author
1954 – 2004
Music
The number one songs on August 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 15, 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 15, 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 August 15, 2013
The Smithsonian announces the discovery of the olinguito, the first new carnivorous species found in the Americas in 35 years.
The Smithsonian announces the discovery of the olinguito, a new carnivorous species from the Americas.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (Poland)
International
Armed Forces Day, known also as the Feast of the Polish Armed Forces, is a national holiday celebrated annually on 15 August in Poland, commemorating the anniversary of the 1920 victory over Soviet Ru
Constitution Day (Equatorial Guinea)
International
This is a list of holidays in Equatorial Guinea
Founding of Asunción (Paraguay)
International
The following are national holidays in Paraguay
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Korea from Japan in 1945: Gwangbokjeol, "Independence Day" (South Korea)
International
The National Liberation Day of Korea is a public holiday celebrated annually on 15 August in both North Korea and South Korea
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Korea from Japan in 1945: Jogukhaebangui nal, "Fatherland Liberation Day" (North Korea)
International
The National Liberation Day of Korea is a public holiday celebrated annually on 15 August in both North Korea and South Korea
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of India from the United Kingdom in 1947.
International
Independence Day is celebrated annually on 15 August as a public holiday in India commemorating the nation's independence from the United Kingdom on 15 August 1947