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 6 Thursday, August 6, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 6 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
2011
War 15 years ago
War in Afghanistan: A United States military helicopter is shot down, killing 30 American special forces members and a working dog, seven Afghan soldiers, and one Afghan civilian. It was the deadliest single event for the United States in the War in Afghanistan.
A U.S. military helicopter is shot down in Afghanistan, killing 30 American special forces members, a military working dog, seven Afghan soldiers, and one civilian.
History
What happened on August 6
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 686War
The Ummayad forces suffer a decisive defeat against the pro-Alid forces under Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar in the battle of Khazir.
The Umayyad forces are decisively defeated by pro-Alid troops led by Ibrahim ibn al-Ashtar in the Battle of Khazir.
- 1284European history
The Republic of Pisa is defeated in the Battle of Meloria by the Republic of Genoa, thus losing its naval dominance in the Mediterranean.
The Republic of Pisa loses its naval supremacy after being defeated by the Republic of Genoa in the Battle of Meloria.
- 1538US history
Bogotá, Colombia, is founded by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founds Bogotá, establishing the foundation for modern-day Colombia's capital city.
- 1585World history
Toyotomi Hideyoshi is officially appointed kampaku (Imperial Regent).
Toyotomi Hideyoshi is officially appointed kampaku, becoming the Imperial Regent of Japan.
- 1661European history
The Treaty of The Hague is signed by Portugal and the Dutch Republic.
Portugal and the Dutch Republic sign the Treaty of The Hague, ending decades of colonial conflict and establishing terms for trade and territorial boundaries.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: The bloody Battle of Oriskany prevents American relief of the Siege of Fort Stanwix.
British and Loyalist forces defeat American militia at the Battle of Oriskany, preventing relief for besieged Fort Stanwix.
- 1787US history
Sixty proof sheets of the Constitution of the United States are delivered to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Sixty proof sheets of the Constitution arrive at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia for delegate review before signing.
- 1862War
American Civil War: The Confederate ironclad CSS Arkansas is scuttled on the Mississippi River after suffering catastrophic engine failure near Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The CSS Arkansas sinks in the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge due to engine failure.
- 1870War
Franco-Prussian War: The Battle of Wörth results in a decisive German victory.
The Battle of Wörth ends in a significant German triumph over French forces.
- 1926Technology
First public screening using the Vitaphone process
The Jazz Singer premieres as the first film with synchronized sound, marking a milestone in cinema history.
- 1996Science
NASA announces that the ALH 84001 meteorite, thought to originate from Mars, contains evidence of primitive life-forms.
NASA announces evidence of potential primitive life on a Mars-origin meteorite, sparking debate in the scientific community.
- 2011War
War in Afghanistan: A United States military helicopter is shot down, killing 30 American special forces members and a working dog, seven Afghan soldiers, and one Afghan civilian. It was the deadliest single event for the United States in the War in Afghanistan.
A U.S. military helicopter is shot down in Afghanistan, killing 30 American special forces members, a military working dog, seven Afghan soldiers, and one civilian.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 6
7 this date All birthdays
Samuel Bowers
American white supremacist, co-founded the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan
Samuel Bowers, American white supremacist who co-founded the White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan and served as its first Imperial Wizard, was born today in 1924.
Born
1924
Died
2006
Alfred
Lord Tennyson, English poet
1809 – 1892
Susie Taylor
American writer and first black Army nurse
1848 – 1912
Scott Nearing
American economist and educator
1883 – 1983
Constance Georgina Adams
South African botanist
1883 – 1968
Florence Goodenough
American child psychologist
1886 – 1959
Baden Powell de Aquino
Brazilian guitarist and composer
1937 – 2000
Music
The number one songs on August 6
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 6, 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 6, 1926
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel.
Gertrude Ederle becomes the first woman to swim across the English Channel, completing the feat in 14 hours and 34 minutes.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 6, 2012
NASA's Curiosity rover lands on the surface of Mars.
NASA's Curiosity rover touches down on Mars to begin its exploration of the planet's surface.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Christian holidays and observances Transfiguration of Jesus
International
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event described in the New Testament where Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain
Christian holidays and observances Anna Maria Rubatto
International
Anna Maria Rubatto was an Italian Roman Catholic nun who assumed the name Maria Francesca of Jesus
Christian holidays and observances Hormisdas
International
Pope Hormisdas was the bishop of Rome from 20 July 514 to his death on 6 August 523
Christian holidays and observances Justus and Pastor
International
Justus and Pastor, venerated as Christian martyrs, were two schoolboy brothers who were killed for their faith during the Diocletian Persecution
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Accession Day. (United Arab Emirates)
International
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was an Emirati politician, philanthropist, and the founding father of the United Arab Emirates
Independence Day (Bolivia), celebrates the independence of Bolivia from Spain in 1825.
International
There are current eleven public holidays in Bolivia