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 15 Thursday, October 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 15 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
5
Holidays
1582
World history 444 years ago
Adoption of the Gregorian calendar begins, eventually leading to near-universal adoption.
Pope Gregory XIII introduces a reformed calendar to correct the drift in Easter's date, replacing the Julian system that had accumulated a ten-day error.
History
What happened on October 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1066UK history
Following the death of Harold II at the Battle of Hastings, Edgar the Ætheling is proclaimed King of England by the Witan; he is never crowned, and concedes power to William the Conqueror two months later.
Edgar the Ætheling is proclaimed king by the Witan after Harold II's death but never crowned and yields power to William the Conqueror.
- 1211European history
Battle of the Rhyndacus: The Latin emperor Henry of Flanders defeats the Nicaean emperor Theodore I Laskaris.
Henry of Flanders defeats Theodore I Laskaris at the Battle of the Rhyndacus, securing Latin control over northwestern Anatolia against the Byzantine successor state.
- 1529War
The Siege of Vienna ends when Austria routs the invading Ottoman forces, ending its European expansion.
Austria defeats the Ottoman invaders, ending the siege and halting Turkish expansion in Europe.
- 1582World history
Adoption of the Gregorian calendar begins, eventually leading to near-universal adoption.
Pope Gregory XIII introduces a reformed calendar to correct the drift in Easter's date, replacing the Julian system that had accumulated a ten-day error.
- 1651Chinese history
Qing forces capture the island of Zhoushan. Zhu Yihai, Prince of Lu, resident of the island and regent of the Southern Ming, flees to Kinmen.
Qing forces capture Zhoushan Island, forcing Prince of Lu Zhu Yihai to flee to Kinmen.
- 1781US history
The Battle of Raft Swamp marks the last battle fought in North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War with a Patriot victory. It occurred four days before the British surrender at Yorktown.
The Battle of Raft Swamp ends with a Patriot victory, marking the final battle fought in North Carolina during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1783Science
The Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon makes the first human ascent, piloted by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier.
Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier ascends in a hot air balloon created by the Montgolfier brothers, marking the first human flight.
- 1815European history
Napoleon begins his exile on Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Napoleon is exiled to Saint Helena, a remote island in the South Atlantic.
- 1888Crime
The "From Hell" letter allegedly sent by Jack the Ripper is received by investigators.
A letter signed "Yours truly, Jack the Ripper" is delivered to a London public office, threatening more murders and taunting police investigators.
- 1910Technology
Airship America is launched from New Jersey in the first attempt to cross the Atlantic by a powered aircraft.
The airship America launches from New Jersey, aiming to be the first powered aircraft to cross the Atlantic.
- 1966Politics
The Black Panther Party is created by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale.
Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale found the Black Panther Party to fight for African American rights through community engagement and activism.
- 2007Crime
Seventeen activists in New Zealand are arrested in the country's first post-9/11 anti-terrorism raids.
New Zealand police arrest seventeen activists in the country's first anti-terrorism raids under post-9/11 legislation.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 15
7 this date All birthdays
José Miguel Carrera
Chilean general and politician
José Miguel Carrera Verdugo, Chilean general and a founder of independent Chile who led the independence war during the Patria Vieja period, was born in 1785 (died 1821).
Born
1785
Died
1821
Friedrich Nietzsche
German composer, poet, and philosopher
1844 – 1900
Victoria Spivey
American singer-songwriter and pianist
1906 – 1976
Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
American historian and critic
1917 – 2007
Michel Foucault
French historian and philosopher
1926 – 1984
Larry Miller
American actor and comedian
b. 1953 · 73
Blaine Gabbert
American football player
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on October 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 15, 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 15, 1989
Wayne Gretzky becomes the all-time leading points scorer in the NHL.
Wayne Gretzky surpasses Phil Esposito to become the NHL's all-time leading points scorer.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 15, 1951
Mexican chemist Luis E. Miramontes completes the synthesis of norethisterone, the basis of an early oral contraceptive.
Luis E. Miramontes synthesizes norethisterone, a key component in early oral contraceptives.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Breast Health Day (Europe)
International
Europa Donna, The European Breast Cancer Coalition is an independent non-profit organisation whose members are affiliated groups from 47 countries throughout Europe
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
International
National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD) takes place in the United States of America and its territories on October 15, the last day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, and aims to increase awarene
Shwmae Su'mae Day (Wales)
International
Shwmae Sumae Day is a day marked each year in Wales to celebrate and promote the Welsh language
White Cane Safety Day
International
White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated annually on October 15 since 1964
World Students' Day
International
In India, World Students' Day is celebrated on 15 October, the birthday of the 11th President of India, A