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On this day

October 30 Friday, October 30, 2026

A curious almanac of what happened on October 30 across the years — history, birthdays, the songs that ruled the charts, the films that packed cinemas, and the science that nudged the world forward.

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Were you born on October 30?

Find out what the world looked like the day you arrived.

12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
October 30, 1657: Anglo-Spanish War: Spanish forces fail to retake Jamaica at the Battle of Ocho Rios.
1657
War 369 years ago

Anglo-Spanish War: Spanish forces fail to retake Jamaica at the Battle of Ocho Rios.

Spanish forces are defeated in their attempt to reclaim Jamaica from English control during the Battle of Ocho Rios.

History

What happened on October 30

12 verified entries Full timeline
  1. 130

    Emperor Hadrian establishes the city of Antinoöpolis on the Nile in honour of his companion Antinous, creating a new Hellenizing foundation in Roman Egypt.

    Hadrian founds Antinoöpolis on the Nile to honor his companion Antinous, establishing a new city in Roman Egypt.

    Roman history
  2. 637

    Arab-Byzantine wars: Antioch surrenders to the Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of the Iron Bridge.

    Antioch surrenders to the Rashidun Caliphate following the Muslim victory at the Battle of the Iron Bridge, marking a major territorial loss for the Byzantine Empire in Syria.

    War
  3. 758

    Guangzhou is sacked by Arab and Persian pirates.

    Arab and Persian pirates sack Guangzhou, devastating the city.

    Disaster
  4. 1137

    Ranulf of Apulia defeats Roger II of Sicily at the Battle of Rignano, securing his position as duke until his death two years later.

    Ranulf of Apulia defeats Roger II at the Battle of Rignano, solidifying his rule as duke until his death.

    European history
  5. 1270

    The Eighth Crusade ends by an agreement between Charles I of Anjou (replacing his deceased brother King Louis IX of France) and the Hafsid dynasty of Tunis, Tunisia.

    Charles I of Anjou reaches a peace agreement with the Hafsid dynasty of Tunis, ending the Eighth Crusade.

    European history
  6. 1340

    Reconquista: Portuguese and Castilian forces halt a Muslim invasion at the Battle of Río Salado.

    Portuguese and Castilian forces defeat Muslim invaders in the Battle of Río Salado, halting their advance.

    European history
  7. 1657

    Anglo-Spanish War: Spanish forces fail to retake Jamaica at the Battle of Ocho Rios.

    Spanish forces are defeated in their attempt to reclaim Jamaica from English control during the Battle of Ocho Rios.

    War
  8. 1806

    War of the Fourth Coalition: Convinced that he is facing a much larger force, Prussian General von Romberg, commanding 5,300 men, surrenders the city of Stettin to 800 French soldiers.

    Prussian General von Romberg surrenders the city of Stettin with 5,300 troops to a smaller force of 800 French soldiers.

    War
  9. 1888

    The Rudd Concession is granted by Matabeleland to agents of Cecil Rhodes.

    Matabeleland grants the Rudd Concession to Cecil Rhodes's agents, securing mining rights in the region.

    UK history
  10. 1920

    The Communist Party of Australia is founded in Sydney.

    The Communist Party of Australia is founded in Sydney, emerging from various socialist groups to become the country's first Marxist-Leninist political organization.

    Politics
  11. 1941

    Holocaust: Fifteen hundred Jews from Pidhaytsi are sent by Nazis to Bełżec extermination camp.

    Fifteen hundred Jews from Pidhaytsi are deported to the Bełżec extermination camp by Nazi forces.

    World history
  12. 2015

    A fire in a nightclub in the Romanian capital of Bucharest kills sixty-four people and leaves more than 147 injured.

    A fire at a Bucharest nightclub claims sixty-four lives and injures over 147 people.

    Disaster

Born today

Famous birthdays on October 30

Music

The number one songs on October 30

Across the years Full chart history
Stand and Deliver album cover

🇬🇧 #1 on October 30, 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
The Empire Strikes Back poster

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
🏆 Sport

October 30, 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 30, 1985

Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off for mission STS-61-A, its final successful mission.

The Space Shuttle Challenger lifts off on mission STS-61-A, marking its last successful flight before the disaster.

Read the story

Today is also

Holidays & observances

4 celebrated today

Anniversary of the Declaration of the Slovak Nation (Slovakia)

International

Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days

Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Political Repressions (former Soviet republics, except Ukraine)

International

The Remembrance Day for the Victims of Political Repression is an annual day when victims of political repression in the Soviet Union are remembered and mourned across the Russian Federation

Thevar Jayanthi (Thevar community, India)

International

Thevar Jayanthi is an annual observance held on 30 October to commemorate the birth anniversary of Indian politician Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar (1908-1963)

Mischief Night (Ireland, Canada, United Kingdom, United States and other places)

International

Mischief Night or Mischievous Night is an informal holiday where young people engage in jokes, pranks, vandalism, or parties

I never wanted to be famous. I only wanted to be great.

Ray Charles · born October 30, 1930