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 4 Saturday, July 4, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 4 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
1456
War 570 years ago
Ottoman-Hungarian wars: The Siege of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) begins.
Ottoman forces under Mehmed II begin their siege of the Hungarian-held fortress of Nándorfehérvár (modern-day Belgrade), a pivotal confrontation in the Ottoman-Hungarian wars.
History
What happened on July 4
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -362War
Battle of Mantinea: The Thebans, led by Epaminondas, defeated the Spartans.
Epaminondas led the Thebans to victory over the Spartans at the Battle of Mantinea, though he died from wounds sustained in the fighting.
- 414European history
Emperor Theodosius II, age 13, yields power to his older sister Aelia Pulcheria, who reigned as regent and proclaimed herself empress (Augusta) of the Eastern Roman Empire.
Aelia Pulcheria becomes regent and proclaims herself Augusta after her 13-year-old brother Theodosius II yields power.
- 836European history
Pactum Sicardi, a peace treaty between the Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples, is signed.
The Principality of Benevento and the Duchy of Naples sign the Pactum Sicardi, establishing a period of peace.
- 993Religion
Ulrich of Augsburg is canonized as a saint.
Ulrich of Augsburg is declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
- 1054Science
A supernova, called SN 1054, is seen by Chinese Song dynasty, Arab, and possibly Amerindian observers near the star Zeta Tauri. For several months it remains bright enough to be seen during the day. Its remnants form the Crab Nebula.
Chinese Song dynasty, Arab, and possibly Amerindian observers witness a supernova near Zeta Tauri, visible even during daylight; its remnants become the Crab Nebula.
- 1120Royalty
Jordan II of Capua is anointed as prince after his infant nephew's death.
Jordan II of Capua is anointed as prince following the death of his infant nephew.
- 1187War
The Crusades: Battle of Hattin: Saladin defeats Guy of Lusignan, King of Jerusalem.
Saladin defeats Guy of Lusignan, capturing the Kingdom of Jerusalem and turning the tide of the Crusades.
- 1253European history
Battle of West-Capelle: John I of Avesnes defeats Guy of Dampierre.
John I of Avesnes defeats Guy of Dampierre at the Battle of West-Capelle, a key clash in the War of the Flemish Succession.
- 1333War
Genkō War: Forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo seize Tōshō-ji during the Siege of Kamakura. Hōjō Takatoki and other members of the Hōjō clan commit suicide, ending the rule of the Kamakura shogunate.
Forces loyal to Emperor Go-Daigo seize Tōshō-ji, leading Hōjō Takatoki and other Hōjō clan members to commit suicide and ending the Kamakura shogunate.
- 1359Royalty
Francesco II Ordelaffi of Forlì surrenders to the Papal commander Gil de Albornoz.
Francesco II Ordelaffi surrenders Forlì to the Papal commander Gil de Albornoz.
- 1456War
Ottoman-Hungarian wars: The Siege of Nándorfehérvár (Belgrade) begins.
Ottoman forces under Mehmed II begin their siege of the Hungarian-held fortress of Nándorfehérvár (modern-day Belgrade), a pivotal confrontation in the Ottoman-Hungarian wars.
- 1584US history
Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe arrive at Roanoke Island.
Philip Amadas and Arthur Barlowe reach Roanoke Island, marking the beginning of English exploration in Virginia.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 4
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 40
Rafael Arévalo
Salvadoran tennis player
Rafael Arévalo González, a retired Salvadoran tennis player who competed primarily on the Futures circuit and represented El Salvador 22 times in Davis Cup, turns 39 today.
Born
1986
Turns 40
today
Victor Babeș
Romanian physician and biologist
1854 – 1926
Alfredo Di Stéfano
Argentinian-Spanish footballer and coach
1926 – 2014
Vladimir Tismăneanu
Romanian-American political scientist, sociologist, and academic
b. 1951 · 75
Michael Johnson
English-Jamaican footballer and manager
b. 1973 · 53
Josh McCown
American football player
b. 1979 · 47
Ömer Aşık
Turkish basketball player
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on July 4
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 4, 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 4, 2015
Chile claims its first title in international football by defeating Argentina in the 2015 Copa América Final.
Chile wins its first international football title by beating Argentina in the Copa América final.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 4, 2012
The discovery of particles consistent with the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider is announced at CERN.
Scientists announce the discovery of particles consistent with the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
CARICOM Day
International
The Treaty of Chaguaramas established the Caribbean Community and Common Market, popularly known as CARICOM
The first evening of Dree Festival, celebrated until July 7 (Apatani people, Arunachal Pradesh, India)
International
The Apatanis who inhabit a tranquil pine clad valley called Ziro at the core of Lower Subansiri District of Arunachal Pradesh, are famous for their unique practice of wet rice cultivation
Independence Day (United States)
International
Independence Day, known colloquially as the Fourth of July, is a federal holiday in the United States which commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, establishing t
Liberation Day (Northern Mariana Islands)
International
Liberation Day is a day, often a public holiday, that marks the liberation of a place, similar to an independence day, but differing from it because it does not involve the original creation of stateh
Liberation Day (Rwanda)
International
Liberation Day is a public holiday in Rwanda which is celebrated on 4 July
Republic Day (Philippines)
International
Philippine Republic Day, also known as Philippine-American Friendship Day, is a commemoration in the Philippines held annually on July 4