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 20 Sunday, September 20, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 20 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
5
Holidays
1498
Disaster 528 years ago
The Nankai tsunami washes away the building housing the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in; it has been located outside ever since.
A tsunami destroys the building housing the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in in Kamakura, leaving the bronze statue in its outdoor location ever since.
History
What happened on September 20
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1058European history
Agnes of Poitou and Andrew I of Hungary meet to negotiate about the border territory of Burgenland.
Agnes of Poitou and Andrew I of Hungary meet to discuss the border territory of Burgenland.
- 1066UK history
At the Battle of Fulford, Harald Hardrada defeats earls Morcar and Edwin.
Harald Hardrada defeats English earls Morcar and Edwin in the Battle of Fulford.
- 1187War
Saladin begins the Siege of Jerusalem.
Saladin initiates the siege aimed at reclaiming Jerusalem from Crusader control.
- 1260European history
The Great Prussian Uprising among the old Prussians begins against the Teutonic Knights.
The Old Prussians begin their uprising against the Teutonic Knights.
- 1378Religion
Cardinal Robert of Geneva is elected as Pope Clement VII, beginning the Papal schism.
Cardinal Robert of Geneva is elected as Antipope Clement VII in Fondi, igniting the Western Schism that divides Catholic Europe for nearly four decades.
- 1498Disaster
The Nankai tsunami washes away the building housing the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in; it has been located outside ever since.
A tsunami destroys the building housing the Great Buddha at Kōtoku-in in Kamakura, leaving the bronze statue in its outdoor location ever since.
- 1519Science
Ferdinand Magellan sets sail from Sanlúcar de Barrameda with about 270 men on his expedition which ultimately culminates in the first circumnavigation of the globe.
Ferdinand Magellan departs Sanlúcar de Barrameda with an expedition that will become the first to circumnavigate the globe.
- 1586Crime
A number of conspirators in the Babington Plot are hanged, drawn and quartered.
Several conspirators involved in the Babington Plot are executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering.
- 1602War
The Spanish-held Dutch town of Grave capitulates to a besieging Dutch and English army under the command of Maurice of Orange.
Grave falls to a Dutch and English force led by Maurice of Orange, ending its siege by allied troops.
- 1697World history
The Treaty of Ryswick is signed by France, England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic, ending the Nine Years' War.
France, England, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire, and the Dutch Republic sign the Treaty of Ryswick, concluding the Nine Years' War.
- 1737US history
The Walking Purchase concludes, which forces the cession of 1.2 million acres (4,900 km2) of Lenape-Delaware tribal land to the Pennsylvania Colony.
The Walking Purchase ends with the cession of 1.2 million acres of Lenape-Delaware land to Pennsylvania.
- 1857War
The Indian Rebellion of 1857 ends with the recapture of Delhi by troops loyal to the East India Company.
British forces loyal to the East India Company recapture Delhi, marking a decisive turning point in the Indian Rebellion.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 20
7 this date All birthdays
Jim Taylor
American football player and sportscaster
Jim Taylor, the American football fullback who won four NFL championships with the Green Bay Packers and was named league MVP in 1962, was born today in 1935.
Born
1935
Died
2018
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
Haitian emperor
1758 – 1806
Leo Strauss
German-American political scientist, philosopher, and academic
1899 – 1973
Mahesh Bhatt
Indian director, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1949 · 77
Javier Marías
Spanish journalist, author, and academic
1951 – 2022
Gary Cole
American actor
b. 1956 · 70
Henrik Larsson
Swedish footballer and manager
b. 1971 · 55
Music
The number one songs on September 20
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 20, 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 20, 1973
Billie Jean King beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes tennis match at the Houston Astrodome.
Billie Jean King defeats Bobby Riggs in a highly publicized tennis match at the Houston Astrodome.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 20, 1995
Java 1.0 is unveiled
Sun Microsystems releases a programming language that will become the backbone of enterprise computing and Android.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Constitution Day (Nepal)
International
Nepal uses three official calendar systems, including the Nepal Sambat as the main and national calendar, the Vikram Samvat for Hindu holidays, and the Gregorian calendar for international events and
Independence Day of South Ossetia (not fully recognized)
International
Independence Day or Republic Day is the main state holiday in the partially recognized Republic of South Ossetia
National Youth Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
Oil Workers' Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
Universal Children's Day (Germany)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country