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 10 Saturday, October 10, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 10 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
1933
Disaster 93 years ago
A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first such proven case in the history of commercial aviation.
A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first proven case of an airliner brought down by criminal act.
History
What happened on October 10
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 19Roman history
The Roman general Germanicus dies near Antioch. He was convinced that the mysterious illness that ended in his death was a result of poisoning by the Syrian governor Gnaeus Calpurnius Piso, whom he had ordered to leave the province.
Germanicus dies near Antioch, convinced he was poisoned by Governor Piso, who had been ordered to leave the province.
- 680Religion
The Battle of Karbala marks the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali.
Husayn ibn Ali is martyred in the Battle of Karbala, a pivotal event in Shia Islam.
- 732European history
Charles Martel's forces defeat an Umayyad army near Tours, France.
Charles Martel's Frankish forces defeat an Umayyad army in a battle that halts Muslim expansion into Western Europe.
- 1471European history
Sten Sture the Elder, the Regent of Sweden, with the help of farmers and miners, repels an attack by King Christian I of Denmark.
Sten Sture the Elder leads a coalition of farmers and miners to defend Sweden against an invasion by King Christian I of Denmark.
- 1492US history
The crew of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa Maria, attempt a mutiny.
The crew of Christopher Columbus's ship, the Santa Maria, attempt a mutiny but are thwarted by the captain.
- 1575European history
Roman Catholic forces under Henry I, Duke of Guise, defeat the Protestants, capturing Philippe de Mornay among others.
Roman Catholic forces led by Henry I, Duke of Guise, defeat a Protestant army, capturing the Huguenot leader Philippe de Mornay among others.
- 1580Religion
Over 600 Papal troops land in Ireland to support the Second Desmond Rebellion.
Papal troops arrive in Ireland to aid Catholic rebels during the Second Desmond Rebellion.
- 1760World history
In a treaty with the Dutch colonial authorities, the Ndyuka people of Suriname, descended from escaped slaves, gain territorial autonomy.
The Ndyuka people in Suriname sign a treaty with Dutch authorities, securing territorial autonomy for those descended from escaped slaves.
- 1780Disaster
The Great Hurricane of 1780 kills 20,000-30,000 in the Caribbean.
A hurricane devastates the Caribbean, claiming between 20,000 and 30,000 lives in the deadliest Atlantic storm on record.
- 1846Science
Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune, is discovered by English astronomer William Lassell.
William Lassell discovers Triton, the largest moon of Neptune.
- 1868US history
The Ten Years' War begins against Spanish rule in Cuba.
Cuban rebels declare war against Spanish rule, marking the start of the Ten Years' War.
- 1933Disaster
A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first such proven case in the history of commercial aviation.
A United Airlines Boeing 247 is destroyed by sabotage, the first proven case of an airliner brought down by criminal act.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 10
7 this date All birthdays
Arif Peçenek
Turkish football player and manager
I cannot write this blurb in present tense. The Wikipedia extract clearly states Arif Peçenek "was" a Turkish football player (past tense), and the role description says "died 2013." The person is deceased, not living. The status field contains an error. Corrected blurb (past tense): Arif Peçenek, Turkish goalkeeper who played for clubs including MKE Ankaragücü and earned caps for the national team, was born in 1959.
Born
1959
Died
2013
John Abercrombie
Scottish physician and philosopher
1780 – 1844
Midge Ure
Scottish singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1953 · 73
David Lee Roth
American singer-songwriter and producer
b. 1954 · 72
Rumiko Takahashi
Japanese author and illustrator
b. 1957 · 69
Daniel Pearl
American-Israeli journalist
1963 – 2002
Toshi
Japanese singer-songwriter and producer
b. 1965 · 61
Music
The number one songs on October 10
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 10, 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 10, 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 October 10, 1938
Abiding by the Munich Agreement, Czechoslovakia completes its withdrawal from the Sudetenland.
Czechoslovakia completes its withdrawal from the Sudetenland following the Munich Agreement.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Arbor Day (Poland)
International
Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees
Army Day (Sri Lanka)
International
An Armed Forces Day, alongside its branch-specific variants often referred to as Army or Soldier's Day, Navy or Sailor's Day, and Air Force or Aviator's Day, is a holiday dedicated to honoring the arm
Capital Liberation Day (Vietnam)
International
Public holidays in Vietnam are days when workers get the day off work
Constitution Day (Sint Maarten)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Sint Maarten
Curaçao Day, anniversary of autonomy
International
This is a list of public holidays in Curaçao
Double Ten Day (The National Day of Republic of China), celebrates outbreak of the Wuchang Uprising in 1911 that led to founding of the Republic of China in 1912
International
The National Day of the Republic of China, also referred to as Double Ten Day or Double Tenth Day, is a public holiday on 10 October, now held annually as national day in the Republic of China