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 15 Wednesday, July 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 15 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
4
Holidays
1410
European history 616 years ago
Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War: Battle of Grunwald: The allied forces of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeat the army of the Teutonic Order.
The combined armies of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania decisively defeat the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald, one of medieval Europe's largest battles.
History
What happened on July 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -484World history
Dedication of the Temple of Castor and Pollux in ancient Rome.
The Temple of Castor and Pollux is dedicated in the Roman Forum.
- 70War
First Jewish-Roman War: Titus and his armies breach the walls of Jerusalem. (17th of Tammuz in the Hebrew calendar).
Titus and his Roman forces breach Jerusalem's walls, marking a pivotal moment in the Jewish-Roman War.
- 756War
An Lushan Rebellion: Emperor Xuanzong of Tang is ordered by his Imperial Guards to execute chancellor Yang Guozhong by forcing him to commit suicide or face a mutiny. General An Lushan has other members of the emperor's family killed.
Emperor Xuanzong orders Chancellor Yang Guozhong to commit suicide to prevent a mutiny led by General An Lushan, who also kills other members of the imperial family.
- 1099War
First Crusade: Christian soldiers take the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem after the final assault of a difficult siege.
Christian soldiers capture the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem following a challenging siege.
- 1149Religion
The reconstructed Church of the Holy Sepulchre is consecrated in Jerusalem.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is consecrated in Jerusalem, completing its reconstruction by the Crusaders following an earlier fire.
- 1207UK history
King John of England expels Canterbury monks for supporting Archbishop Stephen Langton.
King John expels monks from Canterbury for supporting Archbishop Stephen Langton.
- 1240War
Swedish-Novgorodian Wars: A Novgorodian army led by Alexander Nevsky defeats the Swedes in the Battle of the Neva.
Alexander Nevsky leads a Novgorodian army to victory over Swedish forces in the Battle of the Neva, earning his legendary epithet.
- 1381UK history
John Ball, a leader in the Peasants' Revolt, is hanged, drawn and quartered in the presence of King Richard II of England.
John Ball, a leader in the Peasants' Revolt, is executed by being hanged, drawn, and quartered in front of King Richard II.
- 1410European history
Polish-Lithuanian-Teutonic War: Battle of Grunwald: The allied forces of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania defeat the army of the Teutonic Order.
The combined armies of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania decisively defeat the Teutonic Knights at Grunwald, one of medieval Europe's largest battles.
- 1482European history
Muhammad XI is crowned the twenty-second and last Nasrid king of Granada.
Muhammad XI becomes the final Nasrid king of Granada, marking the end of an era in Iberian history.
- 1640World history
The first university of Finland, the Royal Academy of Turku, is inaugurated in Turku.
The Royal Academy of Turku, Finland's first university, is inaugurated in Turku.
- 1789World history
French Revolution: Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is named by acclamation Colonel General of the new National Guard of Paris.
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, is named Colonel General of the National Guard of Paris by acclamation.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 15
7 this date All birthdays
Giovanni Buonaventura Viviani
Italian violinist and composer
Giovanni Buonaventura Viviani, the Italian violinist and composer who directed court music at Innsbruck from 1672 to 1676, was born in 1638.
Born
1638
Died
1693
Inigo Jones
English architect, designed the Queen's House
1573 – 1652
Wharton Esherick
American sculptor
1887 – 1970
Brenda Milner
English-Canadian neuropsychologist and academic
b. 1918 · 108
Fritz Langanke
German lieutenant
1919 – 2012
Vivian Malone Jones
American civil rights activist
1942 – 2005
Damian Lillard
American basketball player
b. 1990 · 36
Music
The number one songs on July 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 15, 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 15, 2018
France win their second World Cup title, defeating Croatia 4-2.
France wins its second FIFA World Cup title by defeating Croatia 4-2.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 15, 2009
Space Shuttle program: Endeavour is launched on STS-127 to complete assembly of the International Space Station's Kibō module.
Endeavour lifts off on STS-127 to install components for the International Space Station's Kibō module.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis (European Union, worldwide)
International
The annual EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis is observed in the European Union on 15 July since 2023
Festival of Santa Rosalia (Palermo, Sicily)
International
Rosalia, nicknamed la Santuzza was a virgin and hermit on Monte Pellegrino
Meänmaa Flag Day (Meänmaa)
International
Meänmaa Flag Day, Meänmaa Day or Torne Valley Day is a holiday celebrated in the Torne Valley/Meänmaa region on 15 July
Statehood Day (Ukraine)
International
Statehood Day or the Day of Ukrainian Statehood is a national holiday in Ukraine, celebrated annually on 15 July, in commemoration of the Christianization of Kievan Rus'