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
July 14 Tuesday, July 14, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 14 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
1596
War 430 years ago
Anglo-Spanish War: English and Dutch troops sack the Spanish city of Cádiz before leaving the next day.
English and Dutch forces sack the Spanish port city of Cádiz during the Anglo-Spanish War, withdrawing after one day of occupation.
History
What happened on July 14
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 982War
King Otto II and his Frankish army are defeated by the Muslim army of al-Qasim at Cape Colonna, Southern Italy.
King Otto II's Frankish army suffers a crushing defeat at the hands of al-Qasim's Muslim forces at Cape Colonna in southern Italy.
- 1223UK history
Louis VIII becomes King of France upon the death of his father, Philip II.
Louis VIII becomes king of France following his father Philip II's death.
- 1420European history
Battle of Vítkov Hill, decisive victory of Czech Hussite forces commanded by Jan Žižka against Crusade army led by Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor.
Jan Žižka leads the Czech Hussites to a decisive victory over the Crusade army of Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor, at Vítkov Hill.
- 1430Royalty
Joan of Arc, taken by the Burgundians in May, is handed over to Pierre Cauchon, the bishop of Beauvais.
Joan of Arc is transferred from the Burgundians to Bishop Pierre Cauchon for trial.
- 1596War
Anglo-Spanish War: English and Dutch troops sack the Spanish city of Cádiz before leaving the next day.
English and Dutch forces sack the Spanish port city of Cádiz during the Anglo-Spanish War, withdrawing after one day of occupation.
- 1789European history
Storming of the Bastille in Paris. This event escalates the widespread discontent into the French Revolution. Bastille Day is still celebrated annually in France.
The storming of the Bastille marks the beginning of the French Revolution, with the site's fall symbolizing the start of widespread rebellion against absolute monarchy.
- 1798US history
The Sedition Act of 1798 becomes law in the United States making it a federal crime to write, publish, or utter false or malicious statements about the United States government.
The Sedition Act becomes law, criminalizing false or malicious statements against the U.S. government.
- 1865European history
The first ascent of the Matterhorn is completed by Edward Whymper and his party, four of whom die on the descent.
Edward Whymper and his party complete the first ascent of the Matterhorn, though four climbers perish during the descent.
- 1874Disaster
The Chicago Fire of 1874 burns down 47 acres of the city, destroying 812 buildings, killing 20, and resulting in the fire insurance industry demanding municipal reforms from Chicago's city council.
The Chicago Fire destroys 812 buildings, kills 20 people, and leads to demands for municipal reforms from the fire insurance industry.
- 1948Politics
Palmiro Togliatti, leader of the Italian Communist Party, is shot and wounded near the Italian Parliament.
Palmiro Togliatti, leader of the Italian Communist Party, is shot and wounded near the Italian Parliament.
- 1965Science
Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet. The photographs take approximately six hours to be transmitted back to Earth.
Mariner 4 captures the first close-up images of Mars, which take about six hours to transmit back to Earth.
- 2015Science
NASA's New Horizons probe performs the first flyby of Pluto, and thus completes the initial survey of the Solar System.
NASA's New Horizons probe conducts the first flyby of Pluto, completing the initial survey of the solar system.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 14
7 this date All birthdays
Gertrude Bell
English archaeologist and political officer
Gertrude Bell, the English writer, traveller, and archaeologist who mapped much of the Middle East and became highly influential in British imperial policy as an Arabist, was born today in 1868.
Born
1868
Died
1926
Ferdinando II de' Medici
Grand Duke of Tuscany
1610 – 1670
Mordecai Manuel Noah
American journalist, playwright, and diplomat
1785 – 1851
Georgiana Hill
English cookery book writer
1825 – 1903
Benoît Sinzogan
Beninese military officer and politician
1930 – 2021
Robert F. Overmyer
American colonel, pilot, and astronaut
1936 – 1996
Angélique Kidjo
Beninese singer-songwriter, activist and actress
b. 1960 · 66
Music
The number one songs on July 14
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 14, 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 July 14, 1951
Ferrari take their first Formula One grand prix victory at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
Ferrari secures their first Formula One victory at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 14, 1965
Mariner 4 flyby of Mars takes the first close-up photos of another planet. The photographs take approximately six hours to be transmitted back to Earth.
Mariner 4 captures the first close-up images of Mars, which take about six hours to transmit back to Earth.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Bastille Day (France and dependencies)
International
Bastille Day is the common name given in English-speaking countries to the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year
International Non-Binary People's Day
International
International Non-Binary People's Day is observed each year on 14 July and is aimed at raising awareness and organising around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world
Republic Day (Iraq)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Iraq
Victoria Day (Sweden). The birthday of Crown Princess Victoria is an official flag flying day in Sweden.
International
The Victoria Days, earlier: Victoria Day, is an annual celebration in Sweden in mid-July to celebrate Crown Princess Victoria's birthday
North Korean Defectors' Day (in South Korea)
International
North Korean Defectors' Day is a holiday celebrated on July 14 in South Korea to commemorate North Korean defectors that have resettled there
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I feel at times like the Creator about the middle of the week. He must have wondered what it was going to be like, as I do.
— Gertrude Bell · born July 14, 1868