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 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.
12
Events
7
Birthdays
4
Holidays
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
- 130Roman history
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.
- 637War
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.
- 758Disaster
Guangzhou is sacked by Arab and Persian pirates.
Arab and Persian pirates sack Guangzhou, devastating the city.
- 1137European history
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.
- 1270European history
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.
- 1340European history
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.
- 1657War
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.
- 1806War
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.
- 1888UK history
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.
- 1920Politics
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.
- 1941World history
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.
- 2015Disaster
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.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 30
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 64
Courtney Walsh
Jamaican cricketer
Courtney Walsh, Jamaican fast bowler who represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001 and captained the team in 22 Test matches, turns 64 today.
Born
1962
Turns 64
today
Homi J. Bhabha
Indian-French physicist and academic
1909 – 1966
Tommy Ridgley
American singer and bandleader
1925 – 1999
Jeannie Kendall
American country singer-songwriter
b. 1954 · 72
Pétur Guðmundsson
Icelandic basketball player and coach
b. 1958 · 68
Stephanie Izard
American chef
b. 1978 · 48
Nastia Liukin
Russian-American gymnast and actress
b. 1989 · 37
Music
The number one songs on October 30
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #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
🏆 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 storyToday 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