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 15 Tuesday, September 15, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 15 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
1830
UK history 196 years ago
The Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens; British MP William Huskisson becomes the first widely reported railway passenger fatality when he is struck and killed by the locomotive Rocket.
The Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens, but British MP William Huskisson becomes the first widely reported railway passenger fatality when struck by the locomotive Rocket.
History
What happened on September 15
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 994War
Major Fatimid victory over the Byzantine Empire at the Battle of the Orontes.
The Fatimid Caliphate defeats the Byzantine Empire in a significant battle on the Orontes River.
- 1440Crime
Gilles de Rais, one of the earliest known serial killers, is taken into custody upon an accusation brought against him by Jean de Malestroit, Bishop of Nantes.
Gilles de Rais is arrested on accusations of murder and atrocities, brought forth by Bishop Jean de Malestroit.
- 1530Religion
Appearance of the miraculous portrait of Saint Dominic in Soriano in Soriano Calabro, Calabria, Italy; commemorated as a feast day by the Roman Catholic Church 1644-1912.
The Roman Catholic Church commemorates the miraculous appearance of Saint Dominic's portrait in Soriano Calabro, Italy.
- 1556European history
Departing from Vlissingen, ex-Holy Roman Emperor Charles V returns to Spain.
Charles V departs from Vlissingen to return to Spain, marking the end of his reign.
- 1776War
American Revolutionary War: British forces land at Kip's Bay during the New York Campaign.
British troops land at Kip's Bay in Manhattan, scattering American militia and forcing George Washington to reposition his forces during the New York Campaign.
- 1794War
French Revolutionary Wars: Arthur Wellesley (later Duke of Wellington) sees his first combat at the Battle of Boxtel during the Flanders Campaign.
Arthur Wellesley participates in his first battle at Boxtel, marking the beginning of his military career in the French Revolutionary Wars.
- 1830UK history
The Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens; British MP William Huskisson becomes the first widely reported railway passenger fatality when he is struck and killed by the locomotive Rocket.
The Liverpool to Manchester railway line opens, but British MP William Huskisson becomes the first widely reported railway passenger fatality when struck by the locomotive Rocket.
- 1835World history
HMS Beagle, with Charles Darwin aboard, reaches the Galápagos Islands. The ship lands at Chatham or San Cristobal, the easternmost of the archipelago.
HMS Beagle arrives at the Galápagos Islands, landing on Chatham or San Cristóbal Island, where Charles Darwin begins his observations.
- 1915Culture
New Culture Movement: Chen Duxiu establishes the New Youth magazine in Shanghai.
Chen Duxiu founds the New Youth magazine in Shanghai, launching the New Culture Movement.
- 1948War
The Indian Army captures the towns of Jalna, Latur, Mominabad, Surriapet and Narkatpalli as part of Operation Polo.
The Indian Army captures several towns including Jalna, Latur, Mominabad, Surriapet, and Narkatpalli during Operation Polo.
- 2004Sports
National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman announces lockout of the players' union and cessation of operations by the NHL head office.
Gary Bettman announces a lockout of the players' union and halts NHL operations.
- 2011Disaster
Four miners are killed in the Gleision Colliery mining accident in the Swansea Valley, Wales.
Four miners are killed when water floods the Gleision Colliery in the Swansea Valley, Wales.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 15
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 55
Nathan Astle
New Zealand cricketer and coach
Nathan Astle, New Zealand cricketer who scored 4,702 Test runs and 7,090 ODI runs as a right-handed batsman and opener, turns 54 today.
Born
1971
Turns 55
today
Catherine of Austria
Queen of Poland
1533 – 1572
Jean Renoir
French actor, director, producer, and screenwriter
1894 – 1979
Johannes Steinhoff
German general and pilot
1913 – 1994
Gaylord Perry
American baseball player and coach
1938 – 2022
Richard Brodeur
Canadian ice hockey player and sportscaster
b. 1952 · 74
Patrick Marleau
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1979 · 47
Music
The number one songs on September 15
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 15, 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 15, 1978
At the Superdome in New Orleans, Muhammad Ali outpoints Leon Spinks in a rematch to become the first boxer to win the world heavyweight title three times.
Muhammad Ali defeats Leon Spinks by decision in their rematch at the Superdome, becoming the first boxer to win the world heavyweight title three times.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 15, 1968
The Soviet Zond 5 spaceship is launched, becoming the first spacecraft to fly around the Moon and re-enter the Earth's atmosphere.
The Soviet Zond 5 launches, becoming the first spacecraft to orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Battle of Britain Day (United Kingdom)
International
Battle of Britain Day is the day on which a large-scale aerial battle in the Battle of Britain took place
Cry of Dolores, celebrated on the eve of Independence Day (Mexico).
International
The Cry of Dolores occurred in Dolores, Mexico, on 16 September 1810, when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang his church bell and gave the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War
International Day of Democracy
International
In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy, with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy, and invited a
The beginning of German American Heritage Month, celebrated until October 15
International
German-American Day is a holiday in the United States, observed annually on October 6 under Pub
The beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated until October 15 (United States)
International
National Hispanic Heritage Month is annually observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic culture to the nation's achieveme
World Lymphoma Awareness Day (International)
International
World Lymphoma Awareness Day (WLAD) is held on September 15 every year and is a day dedicated to raising awareness of lymphoma, an increasingly common form of cancer