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
June 23 Tuesday, June 23, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 23 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
8
Holidays
1314
UK history 712 years ago
First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn (south of Stirling) begins.
Robert the Bruce leads Scottish forces to a decisive victory against Edward II's English army at Bannockburn, securing Scotland's independence.
History
What happened on June 23
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 229World history
Sun Quan proclaims himself emperor of Eastern Wu.
Sun Quan declares himself emperor, founding the state of Eastern Wu.
- 1266War
War of Saint Sabas: In the Battle of Trapani, the Venetians defeat a larger Genoese fleet, capturing all its ships.
The Venetians defeat a larger Genoese fleet in the Battle of Trapani, capturing all their ships.
- 1280European history
The Spanish Reconquista: In the Battle of Moclín the Emirate of Granada ambush a superior pursuing force, killing most of them in a military disaster for the Kingdom of Castile.
The Emirate of Granada ambushed and defeated a larger Castilian force in Moclín, marking a significant victory for Granadian forces during the Reconquista.
- 1305European history
A peace treaty between the Flemish and the French is signed at Athis-sur-Orge.
A peace treaty is signed at Athis-sur-Orge, ending hostilities between the Flemish and the French.
- 1314UK history
First War of Scottish Independence: The Battle of Bannockburn (south of Stirling) begins.
Robert the Bruce leads Scottish forces to a decisive victory against Edward II's English army at Bannockburn, securing Scotland's independence.
- 1565War
Dragut, commander of the Ottoman navy, dies during the Great Siege of Malta.
Dragut, Ottoman naval commander, dies during the Great Siege of Malta.
- 1594War
The Action of Faial, Azores. The Portuguese carrack Cinco Chagas, loaded with slaves and treasure, is attacked and sunk by English ships with only 13 survivors out of over 700 on board.
English ships attack and sink the Portuguese slave ship Cinco Chagas, leaving only 13 survivors from more than 700 aboard.
- 1611European history
The mutinous crew of Henry Hudson's fourth voyage sets Henry, his son and seven loyal crew members adrift in an open boat in what is now Hudson Bay; they are never heard from again.
The mutinous crew of Henry Hudson's final voyage abandon him, his son, and seven loyal crew members in an open boat in Hudson Bay, where they vanish without trace.
- 1683US history
William Penn signs a friendship treaty with Lenape Indians in Pennsylvania.
William Penn establishes a peace agreement with the Lenape Indians, ensuring friendly relations in Pennsylvania.
- 1758War
Seven Years' War: Battle of Krefeld: British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces defeat French troops at Krefeld in Germany.
British, Hanoverian, and Prussian forces defeat French troops in the Battle of Krefeld during the Seven Years' War.
- 1780US history
American Revolution: Battle of Springfield fought in and around Springfield, New Jersey (including Short Hills, formerly of Springfield, now of Millburn Township).
British and American forces clash in the Battle of Springfield, fighting across present-day Springfield and Millburn Township, New Jersey.
- 1894Sports
The International Olympic Committee is founded at the Sorbonne in Paris, at the initiative of Baron Pierre de Coubertin.
Baron Pierre de Coubertin founds the International Olympic Committee at the Sorbonne in Paris, reviving the ancient Games for the modern era.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 23
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 70
Daniel J. Drucker
Canadian academic and educator
Daniel Joshua Drucker, a Canadian endocrinologist renowned for his breakthrough discoveries on glucagon-like peptides GLP-1 and GLP-2, including their roles in insulin secretion and heart protection, turns 70 today.
Born
1956
Turns 70
today
Alfred Kinsey
American entomologist and sexologist
1894 – 1956
Len Hutton
English cricketer and soldier
1916 – 1990
Virbhadra Singh
Indian politician
1934 – 2021
Joel Edgerton
Australian actor
b. 1974 · 52
LaDainian Tomlinson
American football player
b. 1979 · 47
Lisa Carrington
New Zealand flatwater canoeist
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on June 23
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on June 23, 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 June 23, 2012
Ashton Eaton breaks the decathlon world record at the United States Olympic Trials.
Ashton Eaton sets a new decathlon world record at the United States Olympic Trials.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 23, 1940
Adolf Hitler goes on a three-hour tour of the architecture of Paris with architect Albert Speer and sculptor Arno Breker in his only visit to the city.
Adolf Hitler tours Paris with architect Albert Speer and sculptor Arno Breker, his sole visit to the city.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Father's Day (Nicaragua, Poland)
International
Father's Day is a day set aside for honoring one's father, as well as fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society
Grand Duke's Official Birthday (Luxembourg)
International
The Grand Duke's Official Birthday, also known as Luxembourgish National Day, is celebrated as the annual national holiday of Luxembourg
International Women in Engineering Day
International
International Widows Day (international)
International
International Widows Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the "poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries"
National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism (Canada)
International
The National Day of Remembrance for Victims of Terrorism is observed in memory of those who lost their lives to acts of terror in Canada and abroad
Okinawa Memorial Day (Okinawa Prefecture)
International
Okinawa Memorial Day is a public holiday observed in Japan's Okinawa Prefecture annually on June 23 to remember the lives lost during the Battle of Okinawa