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 18 Saturday, July 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 18 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
2
Holidays
362
War 1664 years ago
Roman-Persian Wars: Emperor Julian arrives at Antioch with a Roman expeditionary force (60,000 men) and stays there for nine months to launch a campaign against the Persian Empire.
Emperor Julian arrives at Antioch with a Roman expeditionary force of 60,000 men, beginning a nine-month preparation for his campaign against the Persian Empire.
History
What happened on July 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -477War
Battle of the Cremera as part of the Roman-Etruscan Wars. Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman army.
Veii ambushes and annihilates a Roman force of 306 Fabii at the Battle of the Cremera during the Roman-Etruscan Wars.
- 362War
Roman-Persian Wars: Emperor Julian arrives at Antioch with a Roman expeditionary force (60,000 men) and stays there for nine months to launch a campaign against the Persian Empire.
Emperor Julian arrives at Antioch with a Roman expeditionary force of 60,000 men, beginning a nine-month preparation for his campaign against the Persian Empire.
- 452War
Sack of Aquileia: After an earlier defeat on the Catalaunian Plains, Attila lays siege to the metropolis of Aquileia and eventually destroys it.
Attila besieges and ultimately destroys Aquileia after his earlier defeat at the Catalaunian Plains.
- 645War
Chinese forces under general Li Shiji besiege the strategic fortress city of Anshi (Liaoning) during the Goguryeo-Tang War.
Chinese forces led by General Li Shiji lay siege to the key fortress city of Anshi in the Goguryeo-Tang War.
- 1195War
Battle of Alarcos: Almohad forces defeat the Castilian army of Alfonso VIII and force its retreat to Toledo.
Almohad forces defeat the Castilian army, forcing King Alfonso VIII to retreat to Toledo.
- 1290UK history
King Edward I of England issues the Edict of Expulsion, banishing all Jews (numbering about 16,000) from England.
King Edward I issues the Edict of Expulsion, banishing all Jews from England.
- 1334Religion
The bishop of Florence blesses the first foundation stone for the new campanile (bell tower) of the Florence Cathedral, designed by the artist Giotto di Bondone.
The bishop of Florence blesses the laying of the first stone for Giotto di Bondone's design of the cathedral's new campanile.
- 1389European history
France and England agree to the Truce of Leulinghem, inaugurating a 13-year peace, the longest period of sustained peace during the Hundred Years' War.
France and England inaugurate a 13-year truce with the signing of the Treaty of Leulinghem.
- 1507Royalty
In Brussels, Prince Charles I is crowned Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders, a year after inheriting the title.
Prince Charles I is crowned Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders in Brussels.
- 1555UK history
The College of Arms is reincorporated by Royal charter signed by Queen Mary I of England and King Philip II of Spain.
The College of Arms is reincorporated by a royal charter signed by Queen Mary I and King Philip II.
- 1723Religion
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of his cantata Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz, BWV 136, in Leipzig on the eighth Sunday after Trinity.
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of his cantata "Erforsche mich, Gott, und erfahre mein Herz," BWV 136, in Leipzig.
- 1870Religion
The First Vatican Council decrees the dogma of papal infallibility.
The First Vatican Council declares the doctrine of papal infallibility when pronouncing on faith or morals.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 18
7 this date All birthdays
Clifford Odets
American director, playwright, and screenwriter
Clifford Odets, the American playwright and screenwriter whose socially conscious dramas influenced generations of writers including Arthur Miller and Paddy Chayefsky, was born today in 1906.
Born
1906
Died
1963
Virgil Earp
American marshal
1843 – 1905
Aaron Beck
American psychiatrist and academic
1921 – 2021
Dick Button
American figure skater and actor
1929 – 2025
Hunter S. Thompson
American journalist and author
1937 – 2005
Jerry Moore
American football player and coach
b. 1939 · 87
Joe Torre
American baseball player, manager, and executive
b. 1940 · 86
Music
The number one songs on July 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 18, 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 18, 1976
Nadia Comăneci becomes the first person in Olympic Games history to score a perfect 10 in gymnastics at the 1976 Summer Olympics.
Nadia Comăneci scores a historic perfect 10 in gymnastics, becoming the first athlete to achieve this feat in Olympic history.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 18, 1914
The U.S. Congress forms the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps, giving official status to aircraft within the U.S. Army for the first time.
The U.S. Congress establishes the Aviation Section of the U.S. Signal Corps, officially integrating aircraft into the U.S. Army.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Constitution Day (Uruguay)
International
The following are public holidays in Uruguay
Nelson Mandela International Day
International
Nelson Mandela International Day is an annual international day in honour of Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela's birthday