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
July 29 Wednesday, July 29, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on July 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
6
Holidays
US history 251 years ago
Founding of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps: General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army.
General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army, establishing what would become the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.
History
What happened on July 29
12 verified entries Full timeline
- -587World history
The Neo-Babylonian Empire sacks Jerusalem and destroys the First Temple.
The Babylonians capture Jerusalem and destroy the First Temple.
- 615World history
Pakal ascends the throne of Palenque at the age of 12.
Pakal becomes king of Palenque at age 12, beginning a reign that would last more than six decades.
- 904European history
Sack of Thessalonica: Saracen raiders under Leo of Tripoli sack Thessaloniki, the Byzantine Empire's second-largest city, after a short siege, and plunder it for a week.
Saracen raiders led by Leo of Tripoli sack and plunder Thessaloniki, the Byzantine Empire’s second-largest city, following a brief siege.
- 923European history
Battle of Firenzuola: Lombard forces under King Rudolph II and Adalbert I, margrave of Ivrea, defeat the dethroned Emperor Berengar I of Italy at Firenzuola (Tuscany).
Lombard forces led by King Rudolph II and Margrave Adalbert I defeat the deposed Emperor Berengar I in a battle at Firenzuola.
- 1014European history
Byzantine-Bulgarian wars: Battle of Kleidion: Byzantine emperor Basil II inflicts a decisive defeat on the Bulgarian army, and his subsequent treatment of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil of Bulgaria to die of a heart attack less than three months later, on October 6.
Byzantine Emperor Basil II defeats the Bulgarian army at Kleidion; his blinding of 15,000 prisoners reportedly causes Tsar Samuil to die of shock within months.
- 1018European history
Count Dirk III defeats an army sent by Emperor Henry II in the Battle of Vlaardingen.
Count Dirk III defeats an army sent by Emperor Henry II, securing his control over Holland.
- 1148War
The Siege of Damascus ends in a decisive crusader defeat and leads to the disintegration of the Second Crusade.
Crusaders suffer a decisive defeat during the siege of Damascus, leading to the collapse of the Second Crusade.
- 1567UK history
The infant James VI is crowned King of Scotland at Stirling.
James VI was crowned King of Scotland as an infant in a ceremony at Stirling Castle.
- 1588European history
Anglo-Spanish War: Battle of Gravelines: English naval forces under the command of Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France.
English naval forces under Lord Charles Howard and Sir Francis Drake defeat the Spanish Armada off the coast of Gravelines, France, marking a decisive turning point in the Anglo-Spanish War.
- 1693War
War of the Grand Alliance: Battle of Landen: France wins a victory over Allied forces in the Netherlands.
France defeats Allied forces in the Battle of Landen, marking a significant victory in the War of the Grand Alliance.
- 1775US history
Founding of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps: General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army.
General George Washington appoints William Tudor as Judge Advocate of the Continental Army, establishing what would become the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps.
- 1836European history
Inauguration of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France.
Napoleon inaugurates the partially completed Arc de Triomphe in Paris to honor his Grand Army's victories.
Born today
Famous birthdays on July 29
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 46
Fernando González
Chilean tennis player
Fernando González, Chilean tennis player who reached at least the quarterfinals of all four major tournaments and contested the 2007 Australian Open final against Roger Federer, turns 46 today.
Born
1980
Turns 46
today
Ted Lindsay
Canadian ice hockey player, manager, and sportscaster
1925 – 2019
Elizabeth Dole
American lawyer and politician, 20th United States Secretary of Labor
b. 1936 · 90
Tim Gunn
American television host and actor
b. 1953 · 73
Woody Weatherman
American guitarist and songwriter
b. 1965 · 61
Sally Gunnell
English hurdler and sportscaster
b. 1966 · 60
Okinoumi Ayumi
Japanese sumo wrestler
b. 1985 · 41
Music
The number one songs on July 29
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on July 29, 1991
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
by Bryan Adams
#1 for 16 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Dior"— MK featuring Chrystal
- 2024"Espresso"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Sprinter"— Dave and Central Cee
- 2022"Afraid to Feel"— LF System
- 2021"Bad Habits"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)"— Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport July 29, 1973
Driver Roger Williamson is killed during the Dutch Grand Prix, after a suspected tire failure causes his car to pitch into the barriers at high speed.
Roger Williamson dies in a crash during the Dutch Grand Prix after his car hits barriers following a suspected tire failure.
Read the story
🔬 Science July 29, 2005
Astronomers announce their discovery of the dwarf planet Eris.
Astronomers discover Eris, a celestial body larger than Pluto, leading to Pluto's reclassification as a dwarf planet.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Earliest day on which Somer's Day can fall, while August 4 is the latest; celebrated on Friday before the first Monday in August. (Bermuda)
International
This is a list of regular named Holidays in Bermuda
International Tiger Day
International
Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July
Mohun Bagan Day (India)
International
Mohun Bagan Super Giant, commonly referred to as Mohun Bagan, is an Indian professional football club based in Kolkata, West Bengal
National Anthem Day (Romania)
International
"Deșteaptă-te, române!" is the national anthem of Romania
National Thai Language Day (Thailand)
International
Public holidays in Thailand are regulated by the government, and most are observed by both the public and private sectors
Ólavsøka or Olsok, opening of the Løgting session. (Faroe Islands and the Nordic countries)
International
Ólavsøka is the biggest summer festival in the Faroe Islands, and by most Faroese considered as the national holiday of the Faroes along with Flag Day on 25 April
❝
England expects that every man will do his duty.
— Horatio Nelson · born July 29, 1758