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 26 Sunday, July 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 26 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
1788
US history 238 years ago
New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States.
New York ratifies the United States Constitution, becoming the eleventh state to join the Union.
History
What happened on July 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 657World history
First Fitna: In the Battle of Siffin, troops led by Ali ibn Abu Talib clash with those led by Muawiyah I.
Troops loyal to Ali ibn Abu Talib fight those led by Muawiyah I in the Battle of Siffin.
- 811War
Battle of Pliska: Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I is killed and his heir Staurakios is seriously wounded.
Nikephoros I is killed and his heir Staurakios is seriously wounded in the Battle of Pliska.
- 920European history
Rout of an alliance of Christian troops from Navarre and Léon against the Muslims at the Battle of Valdejunquera.
Christian forces led by King Sancho VI of Navarre are defeated by Muslim troops in the Battle of Valdejunquera.
- 1184Disaster
Erfurt latrine disaster: At a Hoftag, a meeting with local notables, organized by Henry VI, the building collapses and many of the nobles in attendance drown in the sewage pits below.
A building collapse during a Hoftag assembly organized by Henry VI sends numerous nobles plunging into sewage pits below, drowning many in the disaster.
- 1309UK history
Henry VII is recognized King of the Romans (Holy Roman Emperor) by Pope Clement V.
Pope Clement V recognizes Henry VII as King of the Romans, formally acknowledging his election as Holy Roman Emperor.
- 1509World history
Krishnadevaraya ascends to the throne as Emperor of Vijayanagara, marking the beginning of the regeneration of the Vijayanagara Empire.
Krishnadevaraya becomes emperor of Vijayanagara, signaling the empire's resurgence.
- 1579US history
Francis Drake, the English explorer, discovers a "fair and good" bay on the coast of the Pacific Northwest (probably Oregon or Washington).
Francis Drake discovers a "fair and good" bay on the northwest Pacific coast, likely in what is now Oregon or Washington.
- 1758US history
French and Indian War: The Siege of Louisbourg ends with British forces defeating the French and taking control of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence.
British forces end the Siege of Louisbourg, securing control of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence from the French.
- 1788US history
New York ratifies the United States Constitution and becomes the 11th state of the United States.
New York ratifies the United States Constitution, becoming the eleventh state to join the Union.
- 1882Culture
Premiere of Richard Wagner's opera Parsifal at Bayreuth.
Richard Wagner's opera "Parsifal" premieres in Bayreuth, marking the culmination of his spiritual and musical journey.
- 1897War
Anglo-Afghan War: The Pashtun fakir Saidullah leads an army of more than 10,000 to begin a siege of the British garrison in the Malakand Agency of the North West Frontier Province of India.
Saidullah leads an army of over 10,000 Pashtuns to besiege the British garrison in the Malakand Agency.
- 1956Politics
Following the World Bank's refusal to fund building the Aswan Dam, Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal, sparking international condemnation.
Gamal Abdel Nasser nationalizes the Suez Canal after the World Bank refuses to fund the Aswan Dam, drawing international condemnation.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 26
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 52
Kees Meeuws
New Zealand rugby player and coach
Kees Meeuws, former All Blacks prop who earned 42 test caps and scored 10 tries between 1998 and 2004, turns 51 today; he later coached the Highlanders and works in real estate.
Born
1974
Turns 52
today
George Catlin
American painter, author, and traveler
1796 – 1872
Ferdinand Tönnies
German sociologist and philosopher
1855 – 1936
Frank Scott Hogg
Canadian astronomer and academic
1904 – 1951
Jason Robards
American actor
1922 – 2000
Mick Jagger
English singer-songwriter, producer, and actor
b. 1943 · 83
Jim Naismith
Scottish biologist and academic
b. 1968 · 58
Music
The number one songs on July 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 26, 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 26, 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 26, 2016
Solar Impulse 2 becomes the first solar-powered aircraft to circumnavigate the Earth.
Solar Impulse 2 completes the first around-the-world flight in a solar-powered aircraft.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Emancipation Day (Barbados)
International
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent
Day of the National Rebellion (Cuba)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Cuba
Esperanto Day
International
Esperanto Day is a worldwide observance on 26 July, which celebrates the publication of Unua Libro, the first book in the Esperanto language, by the language's creator, L
Independence Day (Liberia), celebrates the independence of Liberia from the American Colonization Society in 1847.
International
The following are public holidays in Liberia
Independence Day (Maldives), celebrates the independence of Maldives from the United Kingdom in 1965.
International
This is a list of holidays in Maldives
Kargil Victory Day or Kargil Vijay Diwas (India)
International
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26 of July in India, to observe India's victory over Pakistan in the Kargil War for ousting Pakistani Forces from their occupied positions on the mountai