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
September 10 Thursday, September 10, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 10 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
6
Holidays
1419
European history 607 years ago
John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy is assassinated by adherents of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.
John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, is assassinated by supporters of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.
History
What happened on September 10
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 506Religion
The bishops of Visigothic Gaul meet in the Council of Agde.
The bishops of Visigothic Gaul convene at the Council of Agde to discuss ecclesiastical regulations and church discipline.
- 1089Religion
The first synod of pope Urban II starts in Melfi, with seventy bishops and twelve abbots in attendance. The synod issues several decrees about church law and deals with the relation with the Greek part of the Church.
Pope Urban II convenes his first synod in Melfi with seventy bishops and twelve abbots, issuing decrees on church law and addressing relations with the Greek Church.
- 1419European history
John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy is assassinated by adherents of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.
John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy, is assassinated by supporters of the Dauphin, the future Charles VII of France.
- 1547UK history
The Battle of Pinkie, the last full-scale military confrontation between England and Scotland, resulting in a decisive victory for the forces of Edward VI.
English forces decisively defeat Scottish troops at the Battle of Pinkie, marking the final large-scale military conflict between the two nations.
- 1573Crime
German pirate Klein Henszlein and 33 of his crew are beheaded in Hamburg.
Klein Henszlein, a German pirate, and 33 of his crew are executed by beheading in Hamburg.
- 1608US history
John Smith is elected council president of Jamestown, Virginia.
John Smith is elected council president of Jamestown, gaining leadership over the struggling colonial settlement.
- 1640Politics
Reapers' War: Junta de Braços (Assembly of Estates) of the Principality of Catalonia summoned. It assumes the sovereignty and enacts a series of revolutionary measures which will lead to the Catalan Republic.
The Junta de Braços of Catalonia asserts sovereignty and implements revolutionary measures, paving the way for a Catalan Republic.
- 1724Culture
Johann Sebastian Bach leads the first performance of Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78, a chorale cantata based on a passion hymn by Johann Rist.
Johann Sebastian Bach conducts the premiere of his chorale cantata Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army.
Nathan Hale volunteers to spy for the Continental Army, accepting a dangerous intelligence mission behind British lines that will lead to his capture and execution.
- 1813US history
The United States defeats a British Fleet at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.
Oliver Hazard Perry leads American forces to victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie.
- 1897US history
Lattimer massacre: A sheriff's posse kills 19 unarmed striking immigrant miners in Lattimer, Pennsylvania, United States.
A sheriff's posse kills 19 unarmed striking immigrant miners during a labor protest in Lattimer, Pennsylvania.
- 1937World history
Nine nations attend the Nyon Conference to address international piracy in the Mediterranean Sea.
Nine nations meet in Nyon to discuss combating piracy in the Mediterranean Sea.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 10
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 63
Bill Stevenson
American drummer, songwriter, and producer
Bill Stevenson, the drummer, main songwriter, and only constant member of the California punk rock group Descendents since its inception, turns 62 today.
Born
1963
Turns 63
today
Laura Cornelius Kellogg
Native American activist
1880 – 1947
Bob Heffron
New Zealand-Australian miner and politician, 30th Premier of New South Wales
1890 – 1978
John Golding
English historian, scholar, and curator
1929 – 2012
Philip Baker Hall
American actor
1931 – 2022
Joe Nieuwendyk
Canadian ice hockey player and manager[citation needed]
b. 1966 · 60
Joey Votto
Canadian baseball player
b. 1983 · 43
Music
The number one songs on September 10
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 10, 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 September 10, 1936
The first world individual Speedway World Championship was held at London's Wembley Stadium.
The first world individual Speedway World Championship took place at Wembley Stadium in London.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 10, 2001
Antônio da Costa Santos, mayor of Campinas, Brazil is assassinated.
Antônio da Costa Santos, the mayor of Campinas, Brazil, is killed by a car bomb.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Amerindian Heritage Day (Guyana)
International
Amerindian Heritage Month is an annual observance that is held every September in Guyana in honour of Guyana's indigenous peoples
Children's Day (Honduras)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Gibraltar National Day
International
Gibraltar National Day, celebrated annually on 10 September, is the official National Day of the British overseas territory of Gibraltar
Saint George's Caye Day (Belize)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Belize
Teachers' Day (China)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers
World Suicide Prevention Day
International
World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day always observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities aro