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 25 Saturday, July 25, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 25 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
677
War 1349 years ago
Climax of the Siege of Thessalonica by the Slavs in a three-day assault on the city walls.
Slavic forces launch a three-day assault on Thessalonica's walls, marking the climax of a prolonged siege of the Byzantine city.
History
What happened on July 25
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 306World history
Constantine I is proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops.
Constantine I is proclaimed Roman emperor by his troops in Britain.
- 315World history
The Arch of Constantine is completed near the Colosseum in Rome to commemorate Constantine I's victory over Maxentius at the Milvian Bridge.
The Arch of Constantine was completed near the Colosseum to celebrate Emperor Constantine I's triumph over Maxentius.
- 677War
Climax of the Siege of Thessalonica by the Slavs in a three-day assault on the city walls.
Slavic forces launch a three-day assault on Thessalonica's walls, marking the climax of a prolonged siege of the Byzantine city.
- 864European history
The Edict of Pistres of Charles the Bald orders defensive measures against the Vikings.
Charles the Bald issues the Edict of Pistres, ordering fortifications and naval defenses against Viking invasions.
- 918World history
Wang Geon becomes King of Goryeo after overthrowing Gung Ye in a coup the previous day
Wang Geon seizes power and becomes the first king of Goryeo, overthrowing Gung Ye in a coup.
- 1137Royalty
Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Prince Louis, later King Louis VII of France, at the Cathedral of Saint-André in Bordeaux.
Eleanor of Aquitaine marries Prince Louis, who becomes King Louis VII of France, at Bordeaux's Cathedral of Saint-André.
- 1139European history
Battle of Ourique: The Almoravids, led by Ali ibn Yusuf, are defeated by Prince Afonso Henriques who is proclaimed King of Portugal.
Prince Afonso Henriques defeats the Almoravid forces and is proclaimed the first King of Portugal.
- 1261European history
The city of Constantinople is recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Alexios Strategopoulos, re-establishing the Byzantine Empire.
Alexios Strategopoulos recaptures Constantinople for the Byzantine Empire.
- 1278European history
The naval Battle of Algeciras takes place in the context of the Spanish Reconquista resulting in a victory for the Emirate of Granada and the Maranid Dynasty over the Kingdom of Castile.
The Emirate of Granada and the Marinid Dynasty defeat the Kingdom of Castile in the naval Battle of Algeciras during the Reconquista.
- 1467War
The Battle of Molinella: The first battle in Italy in which firearms are used extensively.
Firearms see extensive use for the first time in Italian warfare during the Battle of Molinella.
- 1567US history
Don Diego de Losada founds the city of Santiago de Leon de Caracas, modern-day Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela.
Don Diego de Losada establishes Santiago de Leon de Caracas, which later becomes modern-day Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
- 1668Disaster
A magnitude 8.5 earthquake strikes eastern China, killing over 43,000 people.
A magnitude 8.5 earthquake devastates eastern China, killing more than 43,000 people.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 25
7 this date All birthdays
James I
king of Scotland
James I, who reigned as King of Scots from 1406 to 1437, was born today in 1394 at Dunfermline Abbey to King Robert III and Annabella Drummond.
Born
1394
Died
1437
Mohammed Helmy
Egyptian physician and Righteous Among the Nations
1901 – 1982
Ambroise-Marie Carré
French priest and author
1908 – 2004
Rosalind Franklin
English biophysicist, chemist, and academic. Contributor to basic research of DNA.
1920 – 1958
Alexei Filippenko
American astrophysicist and academic
b. 1958 · 68
Justice Howard
American photographer
b. 1960 · 66
El Zorro
Mexican wrestler
b. 1975 · 51
Music
The number one songs on July 25
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 25, 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 25, 1982
Aston Villa shock Bayern Munich for the European Cup
In Rotterdam, late substitute Peter Withe scores the winner as Villa lift the trophy on their first attempt.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 25, 1978
Birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first human to have been born after conception by in vitro fertilisation, or IVF.
Louise Joy Brown is born, becoming the world's first test-tube baby.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Guanacaste Day (Costa Rica)
International
Guanacaste Day is a Costa Rican holiday celebrating Costa Rica's annexation of the Guanacaste province in 1824
National Baha'i Day (Jamaica)
International
The Baháʼí Faith in Jamaica begins with a mention by ʻAbdu'l-Bahá, then head of the religion, in 1916 as Latin America being among the places Baháʼís should take the religion to
National Day of Galicia (Galicia, Spain)
International
Dia Nacional de Galicia is when the autonomous community of Galicia in Spain celebrates its national holiday
Puerto Rico Constitution Day (Puerto Rico)
International
Puerto Rico Constitution Day, also known as Constitution Day of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is a public holiday in Puerto Rico on July 25 of every year established by Law #1 of August 4, 1952 of
International Afro-descendant Women's Day
International
The International Day of Black Latin American and Caribbean Women, shortly known as B
Tenjin Matsuri (Osaka, Japan)
International
Tenjin Matsuri is a festival held throughout Japan around the 25th of the month every year at various Tenmangū shrines