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 4 Tuesday, August 4, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 4 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
5
Holidays
1327
War 699 years ago
First War of Scottish Independence: James Douglas leads a raid into Weardale and almost kills Edward III of England.
James Douglas leads a daring raid into Weardale, nearly capturing the young Edward III in his tent during the First War of Scottish Independence.
History
What happened on August 4
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 598War
Goguryeo-Sui War: In response to a Goguryeo (Korean) incursion into Liaoxi, Emperor Wéndi of Sui orders his youngest son, Yang Liang (assisted by the co-prime minister Gao Jiong), to conquer Goguryeo during the Manchurian rainy season, with a Chinese army and navy.
Emperor Wéndi of Sui orders his son Yang Liang to lead an invasion of Goguryeo during the rainy season, aiming to retaliate for a Korean incursion into Liaoxi.
- 1265UK history
Second Barons' War: Battle of Evesham: The army of Prince Edward (the future king Edward I of England) defeats the forces of rebellious barons led by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester, killing de Montfort and many of his allies.
Prince Edward's army defeats Simon de Montfort and his rebel forces at the Battle of Evesham, killing de Montfort and many of his supporters.
- 1327War
First War of Scottish Independence: James Douglas leads a raid into Weardale and almost kills Edward III of England.
James Douglas leads a daring raid into Weardale, nearly capturing the young Edward III in his tent during the First War of Scottish Independence.
- 1578War
Battle of Al Kasr al Kebir: The Moroccans defeat the Portuguese. Sebastian, King of Portugal is killed in the battle, leaving his elderly uncle, Cardinal Henry, as his heir. This initiates a succession crisis in Portugal.
The Moroccans defeat the Portuguese at Al Kasr al Kebir, killing King Sebastian and leaving his elderly uncle Cardinal Henry as heir, initiating a succession crisis.
- 1693Science
Date traditionally ascribed to Dom Perignon's invention of champagne; it is not clear whether he actually invented champagne, however he has been credited as an innovator who developed the techniques used to perfect sparkling wine.
Dom Perignon is traditionally credited with inventing champagne, though his exact role in its development remains unclear.
- 1789World history
France: abolition of feudalism by the National Constituent Assembly.
The National Constituent Assembly abolishes feudalism in France.
- 1796War
French Revolutionary Wars: Napoleon leads the French Army of Italy to victory in the Battle of Lonato.
Napoleon leads the French Army of Italy to victory at the Battle of Lonato during the French Revolutionary Wars.
- 1863Culture
Matica slovenská, Slovakia's public-law cultural and scientific institution focusing on topics around the Slovak nation, is established in Martin.
Matica slovenská is established in Martin as a public-law cultural and scientific institution for Slovak national topics.
- 1873US history
American Indian Wars: While protecting a railroad survey party in Montana, the United States 7th Cavalry, under Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer clashes for the first time with the Cheyenne and Lakota people near the Tongue River; only one man on each side is killed.
Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer leads the U.S. 7th Cavalry in a skirmish with the Cheyenne and Lakota near the Tongue River, resulting in one fatality on each side.
- 1964US history
Second Gulf of Tonkin Incident: U.S. destroyers USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy mistakenly report coming under attack in the Gulf of Tonkin.
USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy report being attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, though no actual assault occurs.
- 1995War
Operation Storm, the last major battle of the Croatian War of Independence begins.
Croatian forces launch Operation Storm, marking the final major offensive in the country's war for independence.
- 2007Technology
NASA's Phoenix Mars lander is launched.
NASA launches the Phoenix Mars Lander on a mission to study the Martian arctic circle.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 4
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 77
John Riggins
American football player, sportscaster, and actor
John Riggins, nicknamed "Riggo" and "Diesel," the powerful fullback who starred for the New York Jets and Washington Redskins and became known for his bruising running style, turns 76 today.
Born
1949
Turns 77
today
Mayme Agnew Clayton
American librarian
1922 – 2006
Perry Moss
American football player and coach
1926 – 2014
Mary Decker
American runner
b. 1958 · 68
Andrew Bartlett
Australian social worker and politician
b. 1964 · 62
Nikos Liberopoulos
Greek footballer
b. 1975 · 51
Lil Skies
American rapper
b. 1998 · 28
Music
The number one songs on August 4
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 4, 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 4, 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 4, 2007
NASA's Phoenix Mars lander is launched.
NASA launches the Phoenix Mars Lander on a mission to study the Martian arctic circle.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Coast Guard Day (United States)
International
Coast Guard Day is held every August 4 to commemorate the founding of the United States Coast Guard as the Revenue-Marine on August 4, 1790, by then-Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton
Constitution Day (Cook Islands); first Monday in August
International
The Cook Islands is an island country and associated state of New Zealand in Polynesia, part of Oceania, in the South Pacific Ocean
Matica slovenská Day (Slovakia)
International
Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days
Barack Obama Day in Illinois in the United States
International
Barack Obama Day refers to three days of recognition in the United States in honor of Barack Obama, who served as the 44th President of the United States from 2009 to 2017
2020 Beirut explosion commemoration day in Lebanon
International
On 4 August 2020, a major explosion occurred in Beirut, Lebanon, triggered by the ignition of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate