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 6 Tuesday, October 6, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 6 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
8
Holidays
618
Chinese history 1408 years ago
Transition from Sui to Tang: Wang Shichong decisively defeats Li Mi at the Battle of Yanshi.
Wang Shichong defeats Li Mi at the Battle of Yanshi, consolidating power in the waning days of the Sui dynasty.
History
What happened on October 6
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -105War
Cimbrian War: Defeat at the Battle of Arausio of the Roman army of the mid-Republic
The Roman army suffers a significant defeat at the Battle of Arausio during the Cimbrian War.
- -69War
Third Mithridatic War: The military of the Roman Republic subdues Armenia.
Roman forces conquer Armenia, ending the Third Mithridatic War and expanding Rome's influence in Asia Minor.
- 23Chinese history
Rebels decapitate Wang Mang, only Emperor of the Xin Dynasty, after his capital was sacked during a peasant rebellion.
Wang Mang is beheaded by rebels as they sack his capital, ending the Xin dynasty.
- 404European history
Byzantine Empress Eudoxia dies from the miscarriage of her seventh pregnancy.
Eudoxia, the Byzantine Empress, dies following a miscarriage during her seventh pregnancy.
- 618Chinese history
Transition from Sui to Tang: Wang Shichong decisively defeats Li Mi at the Battle of Yanshi.
Wang Shichong defeats Li Mi at the Battle of Yanshi, consolidating power in the waning days of the Sui dynasty.
- 1539US history
Spain's DeSoto expedition takes over the Apalachee capital of Anhaica for their winter quarters.
Hernando de Soto and his expedition establish a base at the Apalachee capital of Anhaica for the winter.
- 1600Music
Euridice, the earliest surviving opera, receives its première performance, beginning the Baroque period.
Claudio Monteverdi's "L'Orfeo," often considered the first surviving opera, premieres in Mantua.
- 1683US history
Immigrant families found Germantown, Pennsylvania in the first major immigration of German people to America.
Thirteen Mennonite families from Krefeld establish Germantown near Philadelphia, forming the first permanent German settlement in the American colonies.
- 1762World history
Seven Years' War: The British capture Manila from Spain and occupy it.
British forces capture Manila from Spanish control, marking a significant victory in the Seven Years' War.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: British forces capture Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River.
British forces capture Forts Clinton and Montgomery on the Hudson River, securing control of a vital strategic corridor in New York.
- 1898Culture
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the largest American music fraternity, is founded at the New England Conservatory of Music.
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the largest American music fraternity, is established at the New England Conservatory of Music.
- 1976Thai history
Dozens are killed by Thai police and right-wing paramilitaries in the Thammasat University massacre; afterwards, the Seni Pramoj government is toppled in a military coup led by Sangad Chaloryu.
Dozens are killed during clashes between Thai police and right-wing paramilitaries at Thammasat University, leading to the ousting of the Seni Pramoj government in a coup by Sangad Chaloryu.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 6
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 62
Mark Field
German-English lawyer and politician
Mark Christopher Field, British Conservative politician who served as MP for Cities of London and Westminster from 2001 to 2019 and as Minister of State at the Foreign Office, turns 62 today.
Born
1964
Turns 62
today
Ferenc Nádasdy
Hungarian noble
1555 – 1604
Settimia Caccini
Italian singer-songwriter
1591 – 1638
Walter Ray Williams
Jr., American bowler
b. 1959 · 67
Ben Summerskill
English businessman and journalist
b. 1961 · 65
Adam Gemili
English sprinter
b. 1993 · 33
Jazz Jennings
American internet personality
b. 2000 · 26
Music
The number one songs on October 6
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 6, 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 6, 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 6, 1995
The first planet orbiting another sun, 51 Pegasi b, is discovered.
Michel Mayor and Didier Queloz discover the first exoplanet orbiting a sun-like star, 51 Pegasi b.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
World Space Week (October 4-10)
International
World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from October 4 to 10 in over 95 nations throughout the world
Day of Commemoration and National Mourning (Turkmenistan)
International
Public Holidays in Turkmenistan are laid out in the Constitution of Turkmenistan, which acts as a list of nationally recognized public holidays in the country
Dukla Pass Victims Day (Slovakia)
International
Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days
German-American Day (United States)
International
German-American Day is a holiday in the United States, observed annually on October 6 under Pub
Memorial Day for the Martyrs of Arad (Hungary)
International
A number of public holidays and special events take place each year in Hungary
Teachers' Day (Sri Lanka)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers