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 11 Friday, September 11, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 11 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
1390
European history 636 years ago
Lithuanian Civil War (1389-1392): The Teutonic Knights begin a five-week siege of Vilnius.
The Teutonic Knights commence a five-week siege of Vilnius during the Lithuanian Civil War.
History
What happened on September 11
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 9War
The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends: The Roman Empire suffers the greatest defeat of its history and the Rhine is established as the border between the Empire and the so-called barbarians for the next four hundred years.
Arminius defeats Publius Quinctilius Varus, marking Rome's worst military defeat and establishing the Rhine as a permanent border.
- 1185European history
Isaac II Angelos kills Stephen Hagiochristophorites and then appeals to the people, resulting in the revolt that deposes Andronikos I Komnenos and places Isaac on the throne of the Byzantine Empire.
Isaac II Angelos kills Stephen Hagiochristophorites and appeals to the people, sparking a revolt that deposes Andronikos I Komnenos and places Isaac on the Byzantine throne.
- 1275Disaster
An earthquake occurred in the south of Great Britain, notably causing multiple fatalities as well as destroying St Michael's Church on Glastonbury Tor.
An earthquake struck southern Great Britain, killing several people and damaging St Michael's Church on Glastonbury Tor.
- 1297UK history
Battle of Stirling Bridge: Scots jointly led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeat the English.
William Wallace and Andrew Moray lead Scottish forces to a decisive victory over the English at Stirling Bridge, a pivotal moment in the First War of Scottish Independence.
- 1390European history
Lithuanian Civil War (1389-1392): The Teutonic Knights begin a five-week siege of Vilnius.
The Teutonic Knights commence a five-week siege of Vilnius during the Lithuanian Civil War.
- 1541US history
Santiago, Chile, is attacked by indigenous warriors, led by Michimalonco, to free eight indigenous chiefs held captive by the Spaniards.
Indigenous warriors led by Michimalonco attack Santiago to free eight chiefs held captive by Spanish authorities.
- 1565European history
Ottoman forces retreat from Malta ending the Great Siege of Malta.
Ottoman forces withdraw from Malta, concluding the Great Siege that lasted four months.
- 1683War
Coalition forces, including the famous winged Hussars, led by Polish King John III Sobieski lift the siege laid by Ottoman forces ahead of the Battle of Vienna.
John III Sobieski leads coalition forces, including the winged Hussars, to break the Ottoman siege before the Battle of Vienna.
- 1697War
Battle of Zenta: a major engagement in the Great Turkish War (1683-1699) and one of the most decisive defeats in Ottoman history.
The Ottomans suffer a significant defeat at the Battle of Zenta, marking a turning point in the Great Turkish War.
- 1776US history
British-American peace conference on Staten Island fails to stop nascent American Revolutionary War.
British and American delegates meet on Staten Island but fail to reach a peace agreement, ensuring the Revolutionary War will continue.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: Battle of Brandywine: The British celebrate a major victory in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
The British achieve a significant victory over the Americans in the Battle of Brandywine, near Chester County, Pennsylvania.
- 1851US history
Christiana Resistance: Escaped slaves led by William Parker fight off and kill a slave owner who, with a federal marshal and an armed party, sought to seize three of his former slaves in Christiana, Pennsylvania, thereby creating a cause célèbre between slavery proponents and abolitionists.
Escaped slaves led by William Parker fight off and kill a slave owner attempting to reclaim his former slaves in Christiana, Pennsylvania.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 11
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 76
Anne Dell
Australian biochemist and academic
Anne Dell, an Australian biochemist specializing in glycomics, turns 76 today; her research on carbohydrate structures that modify proteins has advanced understanding of how pathogens like HIV evade the immune system.
Born
1950
Turns 76
today
Bear Bryant
American football player and coach
1913 – 1983
Tom Landry
American football player and coach
1924 – 2000
Renée Geyer
Australian singer-songwriter
1953 – 2023
Antonio Gómez Medina
Mexican wrestler
b. 1970 · 56
Vivian Cheruiyot
Kenyan runner
b. 1983 · 43
LaToya Sanders
American basketball player
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on September 11
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 11, 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 11, 1995
The first game of the PCA World Chess Championship 1995, pitting incumbent champion Garry Kasparov against challenger Viswanathan Anand, takes place on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower in New York City.
Garry Kasparov defends his title against Viswanathan Anand in the PCA World Chess Championship at the 107th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 11, 1997
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor reaches Mars.
NASA's Mars Global Surveyor enters orbit around Mars, beginning its mission to study the planet's atmosphere and surface.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Battle of Tendra Day (Russia)
International
The Days of Military Honour are special memorable dates in the Russian Armed Forces dedicated to the most outstanding victories won by Russia
Death Anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah (Pakistan)
International
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a barrister, politician, and the founder of Pakistan
Emergency Number Day (United States)
International
U
Enkutatash falls on this day if it is not a leap year. Celebrated on the first day of Mäskäräm. (Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rastafari)
International
Enkutatash is a New Year holiday in Ethiopia and Eritrea
National Day (Catalonia)
International
The National Day of Catalonia, also known as the Diada, is a day-long festival in Catalonia and one of its official national symbols, celebrated annually on 11 September
Nayrouz (Coptic Orthodox Church), September 12 on leap years.
International
Nayrouz is a feast when martyrs and confessors are commemorated within the Coptic Orthodox Church