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 25 Tuesday, August 25, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 25 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
1580
War 446 years ago
War of the Portuguese Succession: Spanish victory at the Battle of Alcântara brings about the Iberian Union.
Spanish forces defeat Portuguese and French troops at the Battle of Alcântara, securing Philip II's claim to the Portuguese throne and establishing the Iberian Union.
History
What happened on August 25
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 766Royalty
Emperor Constantine V humiliates nineteen high-ranking officials, after discovering a plot against him. He executes the leaders, Constantine Podopagouros and his brother Strategios.
Emperor Constantine V punishes nineteen high-ranking officials for plotting against him, executing leaders Constantine Podopagouros and his brother Strategios.
- 1248European history
The Dutch city of Ommen receives city rights and fortification rights from Otto III, the Archbishop of Utrecht.
Ommen is granted city and fortification rights by Otto III, the Archbishop of Utrecht.
- 1270European history
Philip III, although suffering from dysentery, becomes King of France following the death of his father Louis IX, during the Eighth Crusade. His uncle, Charles I of Naples, is forced to begin peace negotiations with Muhammad I al-Mustansir, Hafsid Sultan of Tunis.
Philip III becomes King of France after his father Louis IX's death during the Eighth Crusade; his uncle starts peace talks with the Hafsid Sultan.
- 1537UK history
The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army, and the second most senior, is formed.
The Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army and second in precedence only to the Household Cavalry, is established by royal charter.
- 1580War
War of the Portuguese Succession: Spanish victory at the Battle of Alcântara brings about the Iberian Union.
Spanish forces defeat Portuguese and French troops at the Battle of Alcântara, securing Philip II's claim to the Portuguese throne and establishing the Iberian Union.
- 1609Science
Galileo Galilei demonstrates his first telescope to Venetian lawmakers.
Galileo demonstrates his improved telescope to Venetian lawmakers, showcasing its military and commercial potential.
- 1630War
Portuguese forces are defeated by the Kingdom of Kandy at the Battle of Randeniwela in Sri Lanka.
Portuguese forces suffer a defeat at the hands of the Kingdom of Kandy in the Battle of Randeniwela.
- 1758War
Seven Years' War: Frederick II of Prussia defeats the Russian army at the Battle of Zorndorf.
Frederick II of Prussia wins a decisive battle against the Russians at Zorndorf.
- 1814War
War of 1812: On the second day of the Burning of Washington, British troops torch the Library of Congress, United States Treasury, Department of War, and other public buildings.
British troops burn the Library of Congress, U.S. Treasury, Department of War, and other public buildings during the second day of the Burning of Washington.
- 1825US history
The Thirty-Three Orientals declare the independence of Uruguay from Brazil.
The Thirty-Three Orientals, led by Juan Antonio Lavalleja, land in Uruguay and launch an insurrection to liberate the territory from Brazilian rule.
- 1991War
The Battle of Vukovar begins. An 87-day siege of Vukovar by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA), supported by various Serb paramilitary forces, between August and November 1991 (during the Croatian War of Independence).
The Siege of Vukovar begins, an 87-day assault on the city by the Yugoslav People's Army and Serb paramilitary forces.
- 2017Disaster
Hurricane Harvey makes landfall in Texas as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the United States since 2004.
Hurricane Harvey strikes Texas as a Category 4 storm, the most powerful to hit the U.S. since 2004.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 25
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 82
Jacques Demers
Canadian ice hockey player, coach, and politician
Jacques Demers, former Canadian Senator and professional ice hockey head coach who began his career as a scout and director of player personnel, turns 82 today.
Born
1944
Turns 82
today
Hans Adolf Krebs
German physician and biochemist, Nobel Prize laureate
1900 – 1981
Stefan Wolpe
German-American composer and educator
1902 – 1972
Althea Gibson
American tennis player and golfer
1927 – 2003
Rollie Fingers
American baseball player
b. 1946 · 80
Azmin Ali
Malaysian mathematician and politician
b. 1964 · 62
China Anne McClain
American actress and singer
b. 1998 · 28
Music
The number one songs on August 25
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 25, 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 25, 1960
The Games of the XVII Olympiad commence in Rome, Italy.
The Olympic Games begin in Rome, featuring athletes from 83 nations competing across various sports.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 25, 2003
NASA successfully launches the Spitzer Space Telescope into space.
NASA launches the Spitzer Space Telescope, enhancing our understanding of the universe through infrared observations.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
3 celebrated today
Day of Songun (North Korea)
International
The Day of Songun (Korean: 선군절) is a public holiday in North Korea celebrated on 25 August annually to commemorate the beginning of Kim Jong Il's Songun (military-first) leadership in 1960
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Uruguay from Brazil in 1825.
International
The following are public holidays in Uruguay
Soldier's Day (Brazil)
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