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
October 1 Thursday, October 1, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 1 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
1861
Culture 165 years ago
Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is published, going on to sell 60,000 copies in its first year and remaining in print until the present day.
Isabella Beeton publishes "Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management," which sells 60,000 copies in its first year and remains in print today.
History
What happened on October 1
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -331World history
Alexander the Great defeats Darius III of Persia in the Battle of Gaugamela.
Alexander the Great defeats Darius III in the Battle of Gaugamela, securing control over much of Persia.
- 366Religion
Pope Damasus I is consecrated.
Damasus I is consecrated as pope, succeeding Saint Siricius.
- 959UK history
Edgar the Peaceful becomes king of all England, in succession to Eadwig.
Edgar becomes king of all England, succeeding his brother Eadwig.
- 965Religion
Pope John XIII is consecrated.
Angelo Roncalli is consecrated as Pope John XXIII, marking the beginning of his papacy.
- 1553UK history
The coronation of Queen Mary I of England is held at Westminster Abbey.
Mary I is crowned queen of England in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey.
- 1588World history
The coronation of Shah Abbas I of Persia occurs.
Shah Abbas I is crowned in Qazvin, marking the beginning of his reign that would later move the capital to Isfahan.
- 1791Politics
First session of the French Legislative Assembly.
The French Legislative Assembly convenes for its first session, replacing the National Constituent Assembly under the new constitutional monarchy.
- 1795European history
More than a year after the Battle of Sprimont, the Austrian Netherlands (present-day Belgium) are officially annexed by Revolutionary France.
The Austrian Netherlands, now present-day Belgium, are formally annexed by Revolutionary France.
- 1861Culture
Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management is published, going on to sell 60,000 copies in its first year and remaining in print until the present day.
Isabella Beeton publishes "Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management," which sells 60,000 copies in its first year and remains in print today.
- 1890US history
Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress.
Yosemite National Park is established by the U.S. Congress to preserve its natural wonders and scenic beauty.
- 1991War
Croatian War of Independence: The Siege of Dubrovnik begins.
Croatian forces defend Dubrovnik against Serb attacks, marking the start of a months-long siege.
- 2017Politics
An independence referendum, later declared illegal by the Constitutional Court of Spain, takes place in Catalonia.
Catalonia holds a controversial independence referendum, which Spain's Constitutional Court later declares illegal.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 1
7 this date All birthdays
Frank Gardner
Australian race car driver and manager
Frank Gardner OAM was born today in 1930, an Australian racing driver who won the British Saloon Car Championship three times and became European Formula 5000 champion.
Born
1930
Died
2009
Bonnie Parker
American criminal
1910 – 1934
Sylvano Bussotti
Italian violinist and composer
1931 – 2021
Donny Hathaway
American singer-songwriter, pianist, and producer
1945 – 1979
Rod Carew
Panamanian-American baseball player and coach
b. 1945 · 81
Mark McGwire
American baseball player and coach
b. 1963 · 63
Christian Borle
American actor and singer
b. 1973 · 53
Music
The number one songs on October 1
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 1, 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 October 1, 1975
Muhammad Ali defeats Joe Frazier in a boxing match in Manila, Philippines.
Muhammad Ali wins a grueling fight against Joe Frazier in the "Fight of the Century" in Manila.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 1, 1971
The first practical CT scanner is used to diagnose a patient.
A CT scanner performs its first diagnostic scan on a patient, marking a breakthrough in medical imaging technology.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armed Forces Day (South Korea)
International
Armed Forces Day in South Korea is an annual event usually celebrated on 1 October to commemorate the service of men and women in the Republic of Korea Armed Forces
Beginning of the United States' Fiscal Year
International
A fiscal year is a one-year time interval whose beginning and end may be shifted with respect to the calendar year
Children's Day (El Salvador, Guatemala, Sri Lanka)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Day of Prosecutors (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Ground Forces Day (Russia)
International
The following is the list of official public holidays recognized by the Government of Russia
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Cyprus from United Kingdom in 1960.
International
The Independence Day of Cyprus is a national holiday observed by The Republic of Cyprus on 1 October every year