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 26 Saturday, September 26, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 26 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
1142
UK history 884 years ago
Stephen of Blois's army approached Oxford, beginning the siege of Oxford.
Stephen of Blois's forces began their siege of Oxford, trapping his rival Empress Matilda in the castle during England's civil war.
History
What happened on September 26
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -46World history
Julius Caesar dedicates a temple to Venus Genetrix, fulfilling a vow he made at the Battle of Pharsalus.
Julius Caesar fulfills his vow by dedicating a temple to Venus Genetrix, honoring her as the ancestor of Roman leaders.
- 715European history
Ragenfrid defeats Theudoald at the Battle of Compiègne.
Ragenfrid, mayor of the palace of Neustria, defeats the young Austrasian mayor Theudoald at Compiègne, shifting power within the fractured Frankish kingdoms.
- 1087UK history
William II is crowned King of England, and reigns until 1100.
William II is crowned King of England and rules until 1100.
- 1142UK history
Stephen of Blois's army approached Oxford, beginning the siege of Oxford.
Stephen of Blois's forces began their siege of Oxford, trapping his rival Empress Matilda in the castle during England's civil war.
- 1212European history
The Golden Bull of Sicily is issued to confirm the hereditary royal title in Bohemia for the Přemyslid dynasty.
The Golden Bull of Sicily confirms the Přemyslid dynasty's hereditary right to the Bohemian throne.
- 1345European history
Friso-Hollandic Wars: Frisians defeat Holland in the Battle of Warns.
Frisian forces defeat Dutch troops in the Battle of Warns, securing their independence.
- 1371War
Serbian-Turkish wars: Ottoman Turks fought against a Serbian army at the Battle of Maritsa.
Ottoman Turkish forces clashed with a Serbian army in the Battle of Maritsa.
- 1423War
Hundred Years' War: A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière.
A French army defeats the English at the Battle of La Brossinière during the Hundred Years' War.
- 1493Religion
Pope Alexander VI issues the papal bull Dudum siquidem to the Spanish, extending the grant of new lands he made them in Inter caetera.
Pope Alexander VI grants more territories to Spain, expanding on previous land concessions.
- 1580World history
Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth in Plymouth, England.
Francis Drake returns to Plymouth, completing the first English circumnavigation of the globe.
- 1688UK history
The city council of Amsterdam votes to support William of Orange's invasion of England, which became the Glorious Revolution.
Amsterdam’s city council votes in favor of William of Orange’s invasion of England, later known as the Glorious Revolution.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: British troops capture and begin the occupation of Philadelphia, which had been serving as the American capital city, during the Philadelphia campaign.
British troops capture Philadelphia, occupying the city that had served as the American capital during the Revolutionary War.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 26
7 this date All birthdays
Edith Abbott
American economist, social worker, and author
Edith Abbott, the American economist and social worker who pioneered graduate-level social work education, was born today in 1876.
Born
1876
Died
1957
Robert Staughton Lynd
American sociologist and academic
1892 – 1970
Frank Brimsek
American ice hockey player
1913 – 1998
Ian Chappell
Australian cricketer and sportscaster
b. 1943 · 83
Ilya Kormiltsev
Russian poet and translator
1959 – 2007
Marty Casey
American singer-songwriter and guitarist
b. 1973 · 53
Henrik Sedin
Swedish ice hockey player
b. 1980 · 46
Music
The number one songs on September 26
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 26, 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 26, 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 26, 1905
Albert Einstein publishes the third of his Annus Mirabilis papers, introducing the special theory of relativity.
Albert Einstein introduces the special theory of relativity in a paper that revolutionizes physics.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Day of the National Flag (Ecuador)
International
A flag day is a flag-related holiday, a day designated for flying a certain flag or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag
Dominion Day (New Zealand)
International
Dominion Day was a day commemorating the granting of certain countries Dominion status, that is, "autonomous Communities within the British Empire, equal in status, in no way subordinate one to anot
European Day of Languages (European Union)
International
The European Day of Languages is observed on 26 September, as proclaimed by the Council of Europe on 6 December 2001, at the end of the European Year of Languages (2001), which had been jointly organi
International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
International
The International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, also known as Nuclear Weapons Elimination Day, is an international observance declared by the United Nations, held on 26 September e
Petrov day
International
On 26 September 1983, during the Cold War, the Soviet nuclear early warning system Oko reported the launch of one intercontinental ballistic missile with four more missiles behind it, from the United
Revolution Day (Yemen)
International
The Yemen Arab Republic, also known as Yemen (Sanaʽa) and commonly referred to as North Yemen, was a country that existed from 1962 until its unification with the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen
❝
Social work is the profession that is concerned with enabling individuals, families, groups and communities to cope with the social problems with which they are confronted.
— Edith Abbott · born September 26, 1876