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 18 Sunday, October 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 18 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
1009
Religion 1017 years ago
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who hacks the Church's foundations down to bedrock.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is demolished by Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who orders its foundations hacked down to bedrock.
History
What happened on October 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 33Roman history
Heartbroken by the deaths of her sons Nero and Drusus, and banished to the island of Pandateria by Tiberius, Agrippina the Elder dies of self-inflicted starvation.
Agrippina the Elder dies of starvation on Pandateria following the deaths of her sons Nero and Drusus.
- 320Science
Pappus of Alexandria, Greek philosopher, observes an eclipse of the Sun and writes a commentary on The Great Astronomer (Almagest).
Pappus of Alexandria observes a solar eclipse and writes a commentary on Ptolemy's Almagest.
- 614UK history
King Chlothar II promulgates the Edict of Paris (Edictum Chlotacharii), a sort of Frankish Magna Carta that defends the rights of the Frankish nobles while it excludes Jews from all civil employment in the Frankish Kingdom.
King Chlothar II issues the Edict of Paris, protecting Frankish nobles' rights and banning Jews from civil employment.
- 629European history
Dagobert I is crowned King of the Franks.
Dagobert I is crowned King of the Franks, becoming the youngest ruler in Merovingian history at around nine years old.
- 1009Religion
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a Christian church in Jerusalem, is completely destroyed by the Fatimid caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who hacks the Church's foundations down to bedrock.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem is demolished by Fatimid Caliph Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, who orders its foundations hacked down to bedrock.
- 1081European history
The Normans defeat the Byzantine Empire in the Battle of Dyrrhachium.
The Norman victory at Dyrrhachium marks a turning point in the Crusades, expanding their influence in the Mediterranean.
- 1166Religion
Michael the Syrian, one of the most important Syriac historians, is consecrated as Syriac Orthodox Patriarch at the Mor Bar Sauma Monastery.
Michael the Syrian is consecrated as Syriac Orthodox Patriarch at Mor Bar Sauma Monastery.
- 1281Religion
Pope Martin IV excommunicates King Peter III of Aragon for usurping the crown of Sicily (a sentence renewed on 7 May and 18 November 1282).
Pope Martin IV excommunicates King Peter III of Aragon for seizing control of the crown of Sicily.
- 1356Disaster
Basel earthquake, the most significant historic seismological event north of the Alps, destroys the town of Basel, Switzerland.
A powerful earthquake devastates Basel, Switzerland, the most significant historic seismological event north of the Alps.
- 1561War
In Japan the fourth Battle of Kawanakajima is fought between the forces of Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen, resulting in a draw.
Uesugi Kenshin and Takeda Shingen fight to a stalemate in the fourth Battle of Kawanakajima.
- 1565World history
Ships belonging to the Matsura clan of Japan fail to capture the Portuguese trading carrack in the Battle of Fukuda Bay, the first recorded naval battle between Japan and the West.
A Portuguese trading ship escapes capture by Japanese forces in the Battle of Fukuda Bay, marking the first known naval engagement between Japan and a Western power.
- 1648US history
Boston shoemakers form the first American labor organization.
Boston shoemakers establish the first American labor union.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 18
7 this date All birthdays
Zhu Xi
Chinese philosopher
Zhu Xi, Chinese philosopher and leading figure in the development of Neo-Confucianism during the Southern Song dynasty, was born in 1130 (died 1200).
Born
1130
Died
1200
Edward Winslow
American Pilgrim leader
1595 – 1655
Nicholas Culpeper
English botanist
1616 – 1654
Arie de Jong
Dutch linguist and author
1865 – 1957
A. J. Liebling
American journalist and author
1904 – 1963
Nick Houghton
English general
b. 1954 · 72
Michael Stich
German tennis player and sportscaster
b. 1968 · 58
Music
The number one songs on October 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 18, 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 18, 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 18, 1967
The Soviet probe Venera 4 reaches Venus and becomes the first spacecraft to measure the atmosphere of another planet.
Venera 4 measures the atmosphere of Venus, marking the first time a spacecraft has analyzed another planet's atmosphere.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Alaska Day (Alaska, United States)
International
Alaska Day is a legal holiday in the U
Day of Restoration of Independence (Azerbaijan), celebrates the independence of Azerbaijan from the Soviet Union in 1991.
International
The Day of Restoration of Independence is a state holiday in Azerbaijan
Necktie Day (Croatia)
International
A necktie, also called a long tie or, more usually, simply a tie, is a cloth article of formal neckwear or office attire worn for decorative or symbolic purposes, knotted at the throat, resting unde
Persons Day (Canada)
International
Persons Day is an annual celebration in Canada, held on October 18
World Menopause Day
International
The International Menopause Society (IMS) is a UK based charity
❝
To study and not think is a waste. To think and not study is dangerous.
— Zhu Xi · born October 18, 1130