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 23 Wednesday, September 23, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 23 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
1899
War 127 years ago
Philippine-American War: the American Asiatic Squadron destroys a Filipino battery at the Battle of Olongapo.
The American Asiatic Squadron destroys a Filipino battery in the Battle of Olongapo during the Philippine-American War.
History
What happened on September 23
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 38World history
Drusilla, Caligula's sister who died in June, with whom the emperor is said to have an incestuous relationship, is deified.
Drusilla, Caligula's sister and rumored incestuous partner, is deified after her death.
- 1122Religion
Pope Callixtus II and Holy Roman Emperor Henry V agree to the Concordat of Worms to put an end to the Investiture Controversy.
Pope Callixtus II and Emperor Henry V reach an agreement in the Concordat of Worms, resolving the Investiture Controversy.
- 1338European history
The Battle of Arnemuiden, in which a French force defeats the English, is the first naval battle of the Hundred Years' War and the first naval battle in which gunpowder artillery is used.
A French fleet defeats an English one in the Battle of Arnemuiden, marking the first naval engagement of the Hundred Years' War and the debut of gunpowder artillery at sea.
- 1409War
The Battle of Kherlen is the second significant victory over Ming dynasty China by the Mongols since 1368.
The Mongols secure a significant victory over the Ming dynasty in the Battle of Kherlen.
- 1459War
The Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Wars of the Roses, is won by the Yorkists.
Richard of York leads the Yorkist forces to victory against the Lancastrians at Blore Heath.
- 1561US history
King Philip II of Spain issues cedula, ordering a halt to colonizing efforts in Florida.
King Philip II of Spain orders a halt to colonizing efforts in Florida through a royal decree.
- 1642UK history
First English Civil War: The Battle of Powick Bridge, the first engagement between the primary field armies of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians, ends in a Royalist victory.
The Battle of Powick Bridge concludes with a Royalist triumph, marking the first major clash between Royalists and Parliamentarians in the English Civil War.
- 1779War
American Revolutionary War: John Paul Jones, naval commander of the United States, on board the USS Bonhomme Richard, wins the Battle of Flamborough Head.
John Paul Jones, commanding the USS Bonhomme Richard, defeats the British warship HMS Serapis off the English coast in a fierce naval engagement that bolsters American morale during the Revolutionary War.
- 1868US history
The Grito de Lares occurs in Puerto Rico against Spanish rule.
Vicente Morales y Zaldívar leads a rebellion known as the Grito de Lares, calling for an end to Spanish colonial rule in Puerto Rico.
- 1899War
Philippine-American War: the American Asiatic Squadron destroys a Filipino battery at the Battle of Olongapo.
The American Asiatic Squadron destroys a Filipino battery in the Battle of Olongapo during the Philippine-American War.
- 1962Disaster
Flying Tiger Line Flight 923, a Lockheed L-1049H Super Constellation registered as N6923C, ditches into the Atlantic Ocean killing 28 out the 76 occupants onboard. The remaining 48 were rescued six hours later.
Flying Tiger Line Flight 923, a Lockheed Super Constellation, ditches into the Atlantic Ocean, killing 28 of 76 aboard; 48 survivors are rescued six hours later.
- 2019World history
Twenty people die on the first of two days of rioting in Papua and West Papua over an alleged racist incident.
Violence erupts in Papua and West Papua following an alleged racist incident, resulting in twenty deaths.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 23
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 51
Kim Dong-moon
South Korean badminton player
Kim Dong-moon, the retired South Korean badminton player who won Olympic gold in mixed doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Games and claimed titles in both men's and mixed doubles at the 1999 World Championships, turns 51 today.
Born
1975
Turns 51
today
Joseph Dudley
English politician, Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay
1647 – 1720
William Stewart Halsted
American physician and surgeon
1852 – 1922
Mary Church Terrell
American author and activist
1863 – 1954
Romy Schneider
German-French actress
1938 – 1982
Neal Smith
American drummer and songwriter
b. 1947 · 79
Lote Tuqiri
Fijian-Australian rugby player
b. 1979 · 47
Music
The number one songs on September 23
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 23, 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 23, 1967
Seven people die, 46 people are injured, and more than 150 boats capsize when a squall hits Lake Michigan during Michigan's first coho salmon sport fishing season.
A squall capsizes over 150 boats on Lake Michigan, resulting in seven deaths and 46 injuries during the inaugural coho salmon sport fishing season.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 23, 1942
World War II: The Matanikau action on Guadalcanal begins: U.S. Marines attack Japanese units along the Matanikau River.
U.S. Marines launch an offensive against Japanese forces along the Matanikau River on Guadalcanal.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Grito de Lares (Puerto Rico)
International
Grito de Lares, also referred to as the Lares revolt, or the Lares revolution, was the first short revolt against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico, staged by the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico on S
Haifa Day (Israel)
International
The Battle of Haifa was fought on 23 September 1918 towards the end of the Battle of Sharon which together with the Battle of Nablus formed the set piece Battle of Megiddo fought between 19 and 25 Sep
Holocaust Memorial Day (Lithuania)
International
The Holocaust resulted in the near total eradication of Lithuanian (Litvaks) and Polish Jews[a] in Generalbezirk Litauen of the Reichskommissariat Ostland in the Nazi-controlled Lithuania
Kyrgyz Language Day (Kyrgyzstan)
International
This is the list of public holidays in Kyrgyzstan:
National Day (Saudi Arabia)
International
Saudi National Day is a public holiday in Saudi Arabia celebrated annually on 23 September to commemorate the proclamation that renamed the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in
Teachers' Day (Brunei)
International
Teachers' Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers