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 7 Friday, August 7, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on August 7 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
6
Holidays
1479
European history 547 years ago
Battle of Guinegate: French troops of King Louis XI were defeated by the Burgundians led by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg.
Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg leads Burgundian forces to victory over King Louis XI's French troops in the Battle of Guinegate.
History
What happened on August 7
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 461World history
Roman Emperor Majorian is beheaded near the river Iria in north-west Italy following his arrest and deposition by the magister militum Ricimer.
Roman Emperor Majorian is beheaded near the River Iria after being deposed by Magister Militum Ricimer.
- 626War
The Avar and Slav armies leave the siege of Constantinople.
The Avar and Slav armies lift their siege of Constantinople, ending a months-long blockade.
- 768Religion
Pope Stephen III is elected to office, and quickly seeks Frankish protection against the Lombard threat, since the Byzantine Empire is no longer able to help.
Pope Stephen III is elected and immediately seeks protection from the Franks against the Lombards, as the Byzantine Empire can no longer assist.
- 936European history
Coronation of King Otto I of Germany.
Otto I is crowned King of East Francia, marking the beginning of the Holy Roman Empire.
- 1461War
The Ming dynasty Chinese military general Cao Qin stages a coup against the Tianshun Emperor.
Cao Qin leads a rebellion against the Tianshun Emperor, threatening the stability of the Ming dynasty.
- 1479European history
Battle of Guinegate: French troops of King Louis XI were defeated by the Burgundians led by Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg.
Archduke Maximilian of Habsburg leads Burgundian forces to victory over King Louis XI's French troops in the Battle of Guinegate.
- 1679US history
The brigantine Le Griffon becomes the first ship to sail the upper Great Lakes of North America.
Robert de La Salle sails the brigantine Le Griffon into the upper Great Lakes, becoming the first European vessel to navigate this region.
- 1714War
The Battle of Gangut: The first important victory of the Russian Navy.
Fedor Apraksin leads the Russian fleet to a decisive victory over Sweden in the Gulf of Finland.
- 1786US history
The first federal Indian Reservation is created by the United States.
The United States establishes the first federal Indian reservation.
- 1819World history
Simón Bolívar triumphs over Spain in the Battle of Boyacá.
Simón Bolívar leads patriot forces to a decisive victory over Spanish troops in the Battle of Boyacá, securing Colombian independence.
- 1858Sports
The first Australian rules football match is played between Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College.
Melbourne Grammar and Scotch College contest the first recorded Australian rules football match, establishing what becomes Australia's most popular winter sport.
- 1960World history
Ivory Coast becomes independent from France.
Félix Houphouët-Boigny becomes the first president of Côte d'Ivoire as the country gains independence.
Born today
Famous birthdays on August 7
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 27
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
American hurdler and sprinter
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, American hurdler and sprinter who holds the world record in the 400 meters hurdles and the American record in the flat 400 meters, turns 27 today.
Born
1999
Turns 27
today
August Ahlqvist
Finnish professor, poet, scholar of the Finno-Ugric languages, author, and literary critic
1826 – 1889
Garrison Keillor
American humorist, novelist, short story writer, and radio host
b. 1942 · 84
David Duchovny
American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1960 · 66
Édgar Rentería
Colombian baseball player
b. 1975 · 51
Abbie Cornish
Australian actress
b. 1982 · 44
Simon Yates
English cyclist
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on August 7
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on August 7, 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 7, 2007
At AT&T Park, Barry Bonds hits his 756th career home run to surpass Hank Aaron's 33-year-old record.
Barry Bonds hits his 756th home run, breaking Hank Aaron's long-standing record at AT&T Park.
Read the story
🔬 Science August 7, 1997
Space Shuttle Program: The Space Shuttle Discovery launches on STS-85 from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The Space Shuttle Discovery launches on mission STS-85 from Kennedy Space Center.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Assyrian Martyrs Day (Assyrian community)
International
Assyrian culture is not only distinct in that it is different from the neighboring ethnic groups of the Assyrian homeland, but that many of its unique traits trace back to their ancient heritage in Me
Battle of Boyacá Day (Colombia)
International
There are 18 public holidays in Colombia, plus Palm and Easter Sunday
Emancipation Day (Saint Kitts and Nevis)
International
Republic Day (Ivory Coast)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Ivory Coast
Youth Day (Kiribati)
International
Youth Day or National Youth Day is a commemorative holiday in honour of young people, celebrated in different parts of the world on various dates throughout the year
National Purple Heart Day (United States)
International
The Purple Heart (PH) is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving on or after 5 April 1917, with the U
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I don't run away from a challenge because I am afraid. Instead, I run toward it because the only way to escape fear is to trample it beneath your feet.
— Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone · born August 7, 1999