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 27 Sunday, September 27, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 27 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
6
Birthdays
7
Holidays
1928
US history 98 years ago
The Republic of China is recognized by the United States.
The United States formally recognizes the Nationalist government in Nanjing as the legitimate government of China, establishing full diplomatic relations.
History
What happened on September 27
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 1066UK history
William the Conqueror and his army set sail from the mouth of the Somme river, beginning the Norman conquest of England.
William the Conqueror sets sail from the mouth of the Somme River, marking the start of the Norman invasion of England.
- 1331War
The Battle of Płowce is fought, between the Kingdom of Poland and the Teutonic Order. The Poles are defeated but their leaders escape capture.
The Polish army faces defeat in the Battle of Płowce against the Teutonic Order, though their leaders evade capture.
- 1422European history
After the brief Gollub War, the Teutonic Knights sign the Treaty of Melno with Poland and Lithuania.
The Teutonic Knights sign the Treaty of Melno, ending their conflict with Poland and Lithuania.
- 1529War
The Siege of Vienna begins when Suleiman I attacks the city.
Suleiman I launches an attack on Vienna, marking the beginning of a siege that lasts until late September.
- 1540Religion
The Society of Jesus (Jesuits) receives its charter from Pope Paul III.
The Society of Jesus, known as the Jesuits, is granted its formal charter by Pope Paul III.
- 1605War
The armies of Sweden are defeated by the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Battle of Kircholm.
The Swedish army suffers a decisive defeat at the hands of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the Battle of Kircholm.
- 1669European history
The Venetians surrender the fortress of Candia to the Ottomans, thus ending the 21-year-long Siege of Candia.
The Venetians surrender the fortress of Candia to the Ottomans, ending the 21-year siege.
- 1777US history
American Revolution: Lancaster, Pennsylvania becomes the capital of the United States for one day after Congress evacuates Philadelphia.
Congress moves to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, making it briefly the capital of the United States before continuing its evacuation from Philadelphia.
- 1791Politics
The National Assembly of France votes to award full citizenship to Jews.
The National Assembly grants full French citizenship to Jews, marking a milestone in the emancipation of European Jewry.
- 1821World history
The Army of the Three Guarantees triumphantly enters Mexico City, led by Agustín de Iturbide. The following day Mexico is declared independent.
Agustín de Iturbide leads the Army of the Three Guarantees into Mexico City, followed by the declaration of Mexican independence.
- 1825Technology
The world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, the Stockton and Darlington Railway, is ceremonially opened with the engine Locomotion pulling wagons with coal and passengers from Shildon to Darlington to Stockton.
The Stockton and Darlington Railway, the world's first public railway to use steam locomotives, opens with George Stephenson's Locomotion hauling coal and passengers.
- 1928US history
The Republic of China is recognized by the United States.
The United States formally recognizes the Nationalist government in Nanjing as the legitimate government of China, establishing full diplomatic relations.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 27
6 this date All birthdays
Hermann Kolbe
German chemist and academic
Adolph Wilhelm Hermann Kolbe, the German chemist who introduced the term "synthesis" to chemistry and contributed to the demise of vitalism, was born today in 1818.
Born
1818
Died
1884
John de la Pole
2nd Duke of Suffolk
1442 – 1491
Louis Auchincloss
American novelist and essayist
1917 – 2010
Martin Ryle
English astronomer and author, Nobel Prize laureate
1918 – 1984
Freddy Quinn
Austrian singer, guitarist, and actor
b. 1931 · 95
Stephan Jenkins
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1964 · 62
Music
The number one songs on September 27
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 27, 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 27, 1930
Bobby Jones wins the (pre-Masters) Grand Slam of golf.
Bobby Jones becomes the first and only golfer to win the Grand Slam before the creation of the Masters tournament.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 27, 2008
CNSA astronaut Zhai Zhigang becomes the first Chinese person to perform a spacewalk.
Zhai Zhigang performs China's first spacewalk, marking a significant milestone in the country's space program.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Consumación de la Independencia (Mexico)
International
In Mexico, there are three major kinds of public holidays:Statutory holiday: holidays observed all around Mexico
French Community Holiday (French community of Belgium)
International
The French Community Day is an annual holiday held in the French Community of Belgium on 27 September
Independence Day (Turkmenistan), celebrates the independence of Turkmenistan from USSR in 1991.
International
Independence Day of Turkmenistan is the main state holiday in Turkmenistan
Meskel (Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Church, following Julian calendar, September 28 on leap years)
International
Meskel is an Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church holiday that commemorates the discovery of the True Cross by the Roman Empress Saint Helena of Constantinople in the fourth century
National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (United States)
International
HIV
Polish Underground State's Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951