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 21 Monday, September 21, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 21 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
1170
European history 856 years ago
Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland: The Kingdom of Dublin falls to Anglo-Norman invaders.
The Kingdom of Dublin falls to Anglo-Norman invaders, marking the beginning of centuries of Norman influence in Ireland.
History
What happened on September 21
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 455World history
Emperor Avitus enters Italy with a Gallic army and consolidates his power.
Emperor Avitus enters Italy with a Gallic army, solidifying his rule.
- 1170European history
Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland: The Kingdom of Dublin falls to Anglo-Norman invaders.
The Kingdom of Dublin falls to Anglo-Norman invaders, marking the beginning of centuries of Norman influence in Ireland.
- 1217War
Livonian Crusade: The Estonian leader Lembitu and Livonian leader Caupo of Turaida are killed in the Battle of St. Matthew's Day.
Lembitu and Caupo of Turaida, leaders in the region, were killed during a battle on St. Matthew's Day.
- 1435European history
The Treaty of Arras is promulgated, causing Burgundy to switch sides in the Hundred Years' War.
Philip the Good of Burgundy switches allegiance from England to France, marking a significant shift in the Hundred Years' War.
- 1776US history
Part of New York City is burned shortly after being occupied by British forces.
British forces burn parts of Lower Manhattan following their occupation of the area.
- 1780War
American Revolutionary War: Benedict Arnold gives the British the plans to West Point.
Benedict Arnold delivers West Point's fortifications and troop movements to British intelligence, compromising a critical American stronghold on the Hudson River.
- 1860War
Second Opium War: An Anglo-French force defeats Chinese troops at the Battle of Palikao.
An Anglo-French force defeats Chinese troops at the Battle of Palikao during the Second Opium War.
- 1862War
Taiping Rebellion: The Ever Victorious Army defeats Taiping forces at the Battle of Cixi.
The Ever Victorious Army defeats Taiping forces in the Battle of Cixi, marking a significant victory against the rebels.
- 1933Sports
Salvador Lutteroth establishes Mexican professional wrestling.
Salvador Lutteroth founds the Empresa Mexicana de Lucha Libre, launching professional wrestling in Mexico.
- 1934Disaster
A large typhoon hits western Honshū, Japan, killing more than 3,000 people.
A typhoon strikes western Honshū, Japan, resulting in over 3,000 fatalities.
- 2013War
Al-Shabaab Islamic militants attack the Westgate shopping mall in Kenya, killing at least 67 people.
Al-Shabaab militants storm the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, killing at least 67 people in a four-day siege.
- 2019Disaster
A 5.6 Mw earthquake shakes the Albanian port of Durrës. Forty-nine people are injured in the capital, Tirana.
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Albania's port city of Durrës, injuring forty-nine people in Tirana.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 21
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 59
Tyler Stewart
Canadian drummer
Tyler Stewart, drummer for Canadian rock band Barenaked Ladies since 1995, turns 58 today.
Born
1967
Turns 59
today
Richard of York
3rd Duke of York, English politician, Lord Protector of England
1411 – 1460
Robert Lebel
Canadian businessman and politician
1905 – 1999
Simon Mayo
English radio host
b. 1958 · 68
Curtly Ambrose
Antiguan cricketer and bass player
b. 1963 · 63
Cecil Fielder
American baseball player and manager
b. 1963 · 63
Kārlis Lācis
Latvian pianist and composer
b. 1977 · 49
Music
The number one songs on September 21
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 21, 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 21, 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 21, 2003
The Galileo spacecraft is terminated by sending it into Jupiter's atmosphere.
The Galileo spacecraft is intentionally crashed into Jupiter's atmosphere to prevent contamination of potentially life-bearing moons.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Autumnal equinox observances in the Northern Hemisphere, vernal equinox observances in the Southern Hemisphere (see September 22): Spring Day (Argentina)
International
Spring Day is a holiday marking the coming of the spring season, which takes place in different countries, on varying dates
Arbor Day (Brazil)
International
Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees
Commemoration of the Declaration of Martial Law (Philippines)
International
Proclamation No
Customs Service Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Founder's Day and National Volunteer Day (Ghana)
International
Founders' Day is a national public holiday observed to commemorate the contributions of all the people, notably the "Big Six" who led the struggle for Ghana's independence
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Armenia from the Soviet Union in 1991.
International
The Independence Day of Armenia is one of the main national and state holidays of Armenia, celebrated annually on September 21