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 29 Tuesday, September 29, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 29 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
2
Holidays
1227
Religion 799 years ago
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX for his failure to participate in the Crusades during the Investiture Controversy.
Frederick II is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX for repeatedly delaying his departure for the Sixth Crusade despite taking crusading vows.
History
What happened on September 29
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -61World history
Pompey the Great celebrates his third triumph for victories over the pirates and the end of the Mithridatic Wars on his 45th birthday.
Pompey the Great celebrates his third triumph on his 45th birthday, marking victories over pirates and the conclusion of the Mithridatic Wars.
- 1011UK history
Danes capture Canterbury after a siege, taking Ælfheah, archbishop of Canterbury, as a prisoner.
Danes capture Canterbury, taking Archbishop Ælfheah as a prisoner.
- 1227Religion
Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor, is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX for his failure to participate in the Crusades during the Investiture Controversy.
Frederick II is excommunicated by Pope Gregory IX for repeatedly delaying his departure for the Sixth Crusade despite taking crusading vows.
- 1267UK history
The Treaty of Montgomery recognises Llywelyn ap Gruffudd as Prince of Wales, but only as a vassal of King Henry III.
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd is recognized as the Prince of Wales by the Treaty of Montgomery, though he remains a vassal to King Henry III.
- 1364European history
During the Hundred Years' War, Anglo-Breton forces defeat the Franco-Breton army in Brittany, ending the War of the Breton Succession.
Anglo-Breton forces defeat Franco-Breton troops in Brittany, concluding the War of the Breton Succession.
- 1567European history
During the French War of Religion, Protestant coup officials in Nîmes massacre Catholic priests in an event now known as the Michelade.
Protestant officials seize power in Nîmes and massacre Catholic priests in an event later known as the Michelade.
- 1578World history
Tegucigalpa, capital city of Honduras, is claimed by the Spaniards.
The Spanish claim Tegucigalpa as part of their Central American territory.
- 1714War
The Cossacks of the Tsardom of Russia kill about 800 people overnight in Hailuoto during the Great Wrath.
Russian Cossacks massacre approximately 800 people in Hailuoto during the Great Wrath.
- 1724Pop culture
J. S. Bach leads the first performance of Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir, BWV 130 for the feast of archangel Michael, based on Paul Eber's hymn in twelve stanzas.
Johann Sebastian Bach premieres "Herr Gott, dich loben alle wir," BWV 130, for the feast of Archangel Michael.
- 1829UK history
The Metropolitan Police of London, later also known as the Met, is founded.
Sir Robert Peel establishes the Metropolitan Police, marking the beginning of organized law enforcement in London.
- 1848European history
The Battle of Pákozd is a stalemate between Hungarian and Croatian forces and is the first battle of the Hungarian Revolution.
Hungarian and Croatian forces engage in a stalemate at Pákozd, marking the beginning of the Hungarian Revolution.
- 1959Technology
A Lockheed L-188 Electra crashes in Buffalo, Texas, killing 34 people.
A Lockheed L-188 Electra operated by Braniff Airways crashes near Buffalo, Texas, killing all 34 people aboard in one of the aircraft type's early accidents.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 29
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on September 29
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 29, 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 29, 1923
The First American Track and Field championships for women are held.
The first American Track and Field championships for women are held, marking a milestone in athletic competition.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 29, 1954
The convention establishing CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) is signed.
Representatives from twelve countries sign the convention establishing CERN, marking the beginning of international collaboration in particle physics research.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
2 celebrated today
Inventors' Day (Argentina)
International
Inventors' Day is a day of the year set aside by a country to recognise the contributions of inventors
Victory of Boquerón Day (Paraguay)
International
The following are national holidays in Paraguay