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 31 Friday, July 31, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 31 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
1655
War 371 years ago
Russo-Polish War (1654-67): The Russian army enters the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilnius, which it holds for six years.
The Russian army captures Vilnius, capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, beginning a six-year occupation during the Russo-Polish War.
History
What happened on July 31
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -30World history
Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian's forces, but most of his army subsequently deserts, leading to his suicide.
Mark Antony achieves a minor victory against Octavian's forces outside Alexandria, but his army deserts him shortly after, leading to his suicide.
- 781World history
The oldest recorded eruption of Mount Fuji (Traditional Japanese date: Sixth day of the seventh month of the first year of the Ten'o (天応) era).
Mount Fuji erupts, marking the volcano's earliest known historical activity.
- 1009Religion
Pope Sergius IV becomes the 142nd pope, succeeding Pope John XVIII.
Pope Sergius IV succeeds Pope John XVIII as the 142nd pope.
- 1201European history
Attempted usurpation by John Komnenos the Fat for the throne of Alexios III Angelos.
John Komnenos the Fat attempts to seize the Byzantine throne from Alexios III Angelos.
- 1423European history
Hundred Years' War: Battle of Cravant: A Franco-Scottish army is defeated by the Anglo-Burgundians at Cravant on the banks of the river Yonne.
A Franco-Scottish army suffers defeat against Anglo-Burgundian forces in the Battle of Cravant along the river Yonne.
- 1492European history
All remaining Jews are expelled from Spain when the Alhambra Decree takes effect.
The Alhambra Decree goes into effect, expelling all remaining Jews from Spain.
- 1655War
Russo-Polish War (1654-67): The Russian army enters the capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Vilnius, which it holds for six years.
The Russian army captures Vilnius, capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, beginning a six-year occupation during the Russo-Polish War.
- 1658World history
Aurangzeb is proclaimed Mughal emperor of India.
Aurangzeb is proclaimed Mughal emperor of India, marking the beginning of a reign known for its religious policies and military conquests.
- 1715Disaster
Seven days after a Spanish treasure fleet of 12 ships left Havana, Cuba for Spain, 11 of them sink in a storm off the coast of Florida. A few centuries later, treasure is salvaged from these wrecks.
Eleven ships from a Spanish treasure fleet sink off Florida's coast during a storm; centuries later, salvage operations recover treasures from the wrecks.
- 1777US history
The U.S. Second Continental Congress passes a resolution that the services of Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette "be accepted, and that, in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family and connexions, he have the rank and commission of major-general of the United States."
The Continental Congress commissions Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, as a major-general in recognition of his zeal, illustrious family, and connections.
- 1856World history
Christchurch, New Zealand, is chartered as a city.
Christchurch is granted city status, marking its growth and development in New Zealand.
- 1932WWII
The NSDAP (Nazi Party) wins more than 38% of the vote in German elections.
The Nazi Party secures over 38% of the vote, marking a significant rise in political power.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 31
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 44
DeMarcus Ware
American football player
DeMarcus Ware, former NFL defensive end who recorded 117 sacks over nine seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and played twelve seasons total, turns 43 today.
Born
1982
Turns 44
today
Fred Keenor
Welsh footballer
1894 – 1972
Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn
Austrian theorist and author
1909 – 1999
Milton Friedman
American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
1912 – 2006
Daniel Ash
English singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1957 · 69
Bill Berry
American drummer and songwriter
b. 1958 · 68
Ryan Johansen
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1992 · 34
Music
The number one songs on July 31
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 31, 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 31, 2012
Michael Phelps breaks the record set in 1964 by Larisa Latynina for the most medals won at the Olympics.
Michael Phelps surpasses Larisa Latynina's record to become the Olympic athlete with the most medals.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 31, 1964
Ranger program: Ranger 7 sends back the first close-up photographs of the moon, with images 1,000 times clearer than anything ever seen from earth-bound telescopes.
Ranger 7 transmits the first detailed photos of the Moon's surface, revealing features 1,000 times clearer than Earth-based telescope images.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Earliest day on which the Feast of Kamál (Perfection) can fall, while August 1 is the latest; observed on the first day of the eighth month of the Baháʼí calendar. (Baháʼí Faith)
International
The Baháʼí calendar used in the Baháʼí Faith is a solar calendar consisting of nineteen months and four or five intercalary days, with new year at the moment of Northern spring equinox
End of the Trinity term (sitting of the High Court of Justice of England)
International
Trinity term is the third and final term of the academic year at the University of Oxford, Trinity College Dublin, Canterbury Christ Church University, and some private schools in the United Kingdom
Lā Hae Hawaiʻi Day (Hawaii, United States), and its related observance: Sovereignty Restoration Day (Hawaiian sovereignty movement)
International
Sovereignty Restoration Day is a national holiday of the former Hawaiian Kingdom celebrated on July 31 and still commemorated by Native Hawaiians in the state of Hawaii
Martyrdom Day of Shahid Udham Singh (Haryana and Punjab, India)
International
Udham Singh was an Indian revolutionary belonging to Ghadar Party and HSRA, best known for assassinating Michael O'Dwyer, the former lieutenant governor of the Punjab in India, on 13 March 1940
Treasury Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Warriors' Day (Malaysia)
International
Heroes' Day or National Heroes' Day may refer to a number of commemorations of national heroes in different countries and territories
❝
I'm going to make sure when I leave this game, I leave it all on the field.
— DeMarcus Ware · born July 31, 1982