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 14 Wednesday, October 14, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 14 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
2004
Disaster 22 years ago
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes in Jefferson City, Missouri. The two pilots (the aircraft's only occupants) are killed.
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes in Jefferson City, Missouri, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.
History
What happened on October 14
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1066UK history
The Norman conquest of England begins with the Battle of Hastings.
William the Conqueror defeats Harold Godwinson in the Battle of Hastings, marking the beginning of the Norman conquest of England.
- 1322War
Robert the Bruce of Scotland defeats King Edward II of England at the Battle of Old Byland, forcing Edward to accept Scotland's independence.
Robert the Bruce defeats King Edward II at the Battle of Old Byland, securing Scotland's independence.
- 1586Royalty
Mary, Queen of Scots, goes on trial for conspiracy against Queen Elizabeth I of England.
Mary, Queen of Scots faces trial for conspiring against Queen Elizabeth I.
- 1656US history
The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony enacts the first punitive legislation against the Religious Society of Friends.
The General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony enacts the first punitive legislation against Quakers, fining anyone who imports their writings or defends their beliefs.
- 1758War
Seven Years' War: Frederick the Great suffers a rare defeat at the Battle of Hochkirch.
Frederick the Great is defeated by Austrian and Russian forces in the Battle of Hochkirch.
- 1774US history
American Revolution: The First Continental Congress denounces the British Parliament's Intolerable Acts and demands British concessions.
The First Continental Congress denounces the Intolerable Acts and calls for British concessions in response to growing colonial unrest.
- 1806War
War of the Fourth Coalition: Napoleon decisively defeats Prussia at the Battle of Jena-Auerstedt.
Napoleon Bonaparte secures a decisive victory over Prussian forces in twin battles at Jena and Auerstedt, effectively destroying Prussia's military power and forcing its withdrawal from the Fourth Coalition.
- 1808European history
The Republic of Ragusa is annexed by France.
The Republic of Ragusa is dissolved and annexed by France, ending its independence.
- 1947Technology
Flying the Bell X-1 over Muroc Army Air Field in California, Captain Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier in level flight, reaching Mach 1.05.
Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier in level flight, reaching Mach 1.05, flying the Bell X-1 over Muroc Army Air Field.
- 1966Politics
The Dutch Cals cabinet fell after Norbert Schmelzer, the leader of the government party, filed a successful motion against the budget, in what later became known as the Night of Schmelzer.
Norbert Schmelzer's successful motion against the budget led to the fall of the Dutch Cals cabinet.
- 2004Disaster
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes in Jefferson City, Missouri. The two pilots (the aircraft's only occupants) are killed.
Pinnacle Airlines Flight 3701 crashes in Jefferson City, Missouri, killing both pilots, the aircraft's only occupants.
- 2012Technology
Felix Baumgartner successfully jumps to Earth from a balloon in the stratosphere.
Felix Baumgartner leaps from a stratospheric balloon, breaking the sound barrier during his free fall.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 14
7 this date All birthdays
Sail Mohamed
Algerian anarchist and Spanish Civil War veteran
Mohand Amezian ben Ameziane Saïl, the Algerian anarchist and anti-colonial activist who fought in the Spanish Civil War, turns 131 today.
Born
1894
Died
1953
Lois Lenski
American author and illustrator
1893 – 1974
Jerry Glanville
American football player and coach
b. 1941 · 85
Werner Daehn
German actor
b. 1967 · 59
P. J. Brown
American basketball player
b. 1969 · 57
Tillakaratne Dilshan
Sri Lankan cricketer
b. 1976 · 50
Saeed Ajmal
Pakistani cricketer
b. 1977 · 49
Music
The number one songs on October 14
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 14, 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 14, 1968
Jim Hines becomes the first man ever to break the so-called "ten-second barrier" in the 100-meter sprint with a time of 9.95 seconds.
Jim Hines breaks the "ten-second barrier" in the 100-meter sprint with a time of 9.95 seconds.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 14, 1947
Flying the Bell X-1 over Muroc Army Air Field in California, Captain Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier in level flight, reaching Mach 1.05.
Chuck Yeager breaks the sound barrier in level flight, reaching Mach 1.05, flying the Bell X-1 over Muroc Army Air Field.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Day of the Cathedral of the Living Pillar (Georgian Orthodox Church)
International
The Svetitskhoveli Cathedral is an Orthodox Christian cathedral located in the historic town of Mtskheta, Georgia, northwest of the Georgian capital Tbilisi
Mother's Day (Belarus)
International
Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society
National Education Day (Poland), formerly Teachers' Day
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Nyerere Day (Tanzania)
International
Public holidays in Tanzania are in accordance with the Public Holidays Act, amended among others in December 1964, August 1966, July 2022, and are observed throughout the nation
Second Revolution Day (Yemen)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Yemen
World Standards Day (International)
International
World Standards Day is an international day celebrated on 14 October each year