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 14 Monday, September 14, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 14 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
1752
UK history 274 years ago
The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days (the previous day was September 2).
The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days as September 2 is followed directly by September 14.
History
What happened on September 14
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 81World history
Domitian became Emperor of the Roman Empire upon the death of his brother Titus.
Domitian succeeded his brother Titus as Emperor of Rome.
- 786World history
"Night of the three Caliphs": Harun al-Rashid becomes the Abbasid caliph upon the death of his brother al-Hadi. Birth of Harun's son al-Ma'mun.
Harun al-Rashid becomes Abbasid caliph after his brother's death, and his son al-Ma'mun is born.
- 919European history
Battle of Islandbridge: High King Niall Glúndub is killed while leading an Irish coalition against the Vikings of Uí Ímair, led by King Sitric Cáech.
High King Niall Glúndub dies in battle against Viking forces led by King Sitric Cáech.
- 1115War
Roger of Salerno's Crusader army defeats a numerically superior Seljuk army in the battle of Sarmin
Roger of Salerno leads a Crusader army to victory over a larger Seljuk force at the Battle of Sarmin.
- 1180War
Genpei War: In the Battle of Ishibashiyama in Japan, the new military commander of the Minamoto clan, Minamoto no Yoritomo, is routed by Ōba Kagechika of the Taira clan.
Minamoto no Yoritomo's forces are defeated by Ōba Kagechika in the Battle of Ishibashiyama during the Genpei War.
- 1226Religion
The first recorded instance of the Catholic practice of perpetual Eucharistic adoration formally begins in Avignon, France.
Perpetual Eucharistic adoration is established in a church in Avignon, France.
- 1402War
Battle of Homildon Hill: An invading Scottish army under Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany and Archibald, Earl Douglas is decimated by a contingent of 500 English archers under the command of George, Earl of March and Henry Percy, 1st Earl of Northumberland.
Scottish forces led by Murdoch Stewart and Archibald Douglas are decimated by English archers commanded by George of March and Henry Percy at Homildon Hill.
- 1682World history
Bishop Gore School, one of the oldest schools in Wales, is founded.
Bishop Gore School, one of the oldest educational institutions in Wales, is established.
- 1685War
Morean War: the Battle of Kalamata ends in a Venetian victory over the forces of the Ottoman Empire under the Kapudan Pasha.
Venetian forces secure a victory over the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Kalamata, ending the Morean War.
- 1752UK history
The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days (the previous day was September 2).
The British Empire adopts the Gregorian calendar, skipping eleven days as September 2 is followed directly by September 14.
- 1782War
American Revolutionary War: Review of the French troops under General Rochambeau by General George Washington at Verplanck's Point, New York.
General George Washington reviews French troops under General Rochambeau at Verplanck's Point, New York, during the American Revolutionary War.
- 1812War
Napoleonic Wars: The French Grande Armée enters Moscow. The Fire of Moscow begins as soon as Russian troops leave the city.
The French Grande Armée enters Moscow, followed by fires breaking out as Russian troops depart.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 14
7 this date All birthdays
Diadumenian
Roman emperor
Diadumenian, son of Roman emperor Macrinus, was born in 208 and briefly served as co-emperor alongside his father in 218 before both were killed following their defeat.
Born
208
Died
218
John Gould
English ornithologist and illustrator
1804 – 1881
Ivan Matveyevich Vinogradov
Russian mathematician and academic
1891 – 1983
Lawrence Klein
American economist and academic, Nobel Prize laureate
1920 – 2013
Jerry Coleman
American baseball player and manager
1924 – 2014
Iztok Puc
Croatian-Slovenian handball player
1966 – 2011
Terrell Fletcher
American football player
b. 1973 · 53
Music
The number one songs on September 14
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 14, 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 14, 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 September 14, 2015
The first observation of gravitational waves is made, announced by the LIGO and Virgo collaborations on 11 February 2016.
The LIGO and Virgo collaborations detect gravitational waves, confirming a key prediction of Einstein's theory of general relativity.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
4 celebrated today
Engineer's Day (Romania)
International
Engineer's Day is observed in several countries on various dates of the year
Hindi Day (Hindi-speaking states of India)
International
Hindi Day is observed in India on 14 September each year
Mobilized Servicemen Day (Ukraine)
International
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the military forces responsible for the defence of Ukraine and its national interests
San Jacinto Day (Nicaragua)
International
The Battle of San Jacinto took place on the 14 September, 1856, in Hacienda San Jacinto, Managua, Nicaragua