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
June 18 Thursday, June 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on June 18 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
European history 761 years ago
A draft Byzantine-Venetian treaty is concluded between Venetian envoys and Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, but is not ratified by Doge Reniero Zeno.
Venetian envoys and Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos conclude a draft treaty, though Doge Reniero Zeno declines to ratify it.
History
What happened on June 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 618World history
Li Yuan becomes Emperor Gaozu of Tang, initiating three centuries of Tang dynasty rule over China.
Li Yuan becomes Emperor Gaozu of Tang, establishing a dynasty that would rule China for three centuries.
- 656World history
Ali becomes Caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
Muhammad Ali assumes leadership as the fourth caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate.
- 860War
Byzantine-Rus' War: A fleet of about 200 Rus' vessels sails into the Bosphorus and starts pillaging the suburbs of the Byzantine capital Constantinople.
A fleet of about 200 Rus' vessels sails into the Bosphorus and begins pillaging the suburbs of Constantinople, marking a major raid on the Byzantine capital.
- 1053War
Battle of Civitate: Three thousand Norman horsemen of Count Humphrey rout the troops of Pope Leo IX.
Norman forces led by Count Humphrey defeat Pope Leo IX's troops in the Battle of Civitate.
- 1264UK history
The Parliament of Ireland meets at Castledermot in County Kildare, the first definitively known meeting of this Irish legislature.
The Parliament of Ireland convenes at Castledermot in County Kildare, marking its first definitively known legislative assembly.
- 1265European history
A draft Byzantine-Venetian treaty is concluded between Venetian envoys and Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos, but is not ratified by Doge Reniero Zeno.
Venetian envoys and Byzantine Emperor Michael VIII Palaiologos conclude a draft treaty, though Doge Reniero Zeno declines to ratify it.
- 1391War
Tokhtamysh-Timur war: Battle of the Kondurcha River: Timur defeats Tokhtamysh of the Golden Horde in present-day southeast Russia.
Timur defeats Tokhtamysh of the Golden Horde at the Battle of the Kondurcha River in present-day southeast Russia, weakening Mongol power in the region.
- 1429European history
Charles VII's army defeats an English army under John Talbot at the Battle of Patay during the Hundred Years' War. The English lost 2,200 men, over half their army, crippling their efforts during this segment of the war.
Charles VII's army defeats an English force at the Battle of Patay, losing over half their troops and severely hampering English efforts.
- 1633UK history
Charles I is crowned King of Scots at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.
Charles I is crowned King of Scots at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.
- 1684UK history
The charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony is revoked via a scire facias writ issued by an English court.
The charter of the Massachusetts Bay Colony is revoked by an English court through a scire facias writ.
- 1778US history
American Revolutionary War: The British Army abandons Philadelphia.
The British Army evacuates Philadelphia, ending their nine-month occupation of the city.
- 1815War
Napoleonic Wars: The Battle of Waterloo results in the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher forcing him to abdicate the throne of France for the second and last time.
Napoleon Bonaparte is defeated at Waterloo by the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher, leading to his final abdication.
Born today
Famous birthdays on June 18
7 this date All birthdays
Roger Ebert
American journalist, critic, and screenwriter
Roger Joseph Ebert, the American film critic known for his accessible Midwestern writing style and populist values, was born today in 1942.
Born
1942
Died
2013
Efraín Huerta
Mexican poet
1914 – 1982
George Mikan
American basketball player and coach
1924 – 2005
Barack Obama Sr.
Kenyan economist
1934 – 1982
Martin St. Louis
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1975 · 51
Tara Platt
American actress, producer, and screenwriter
b. 1978 · 48
Richard Gasquet
French tennis player
b. 1986 · 40
Music
The number one songs on June 18
Across the years Full chart history
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Ordinary"— Alex Warren
- 2024"Houdini"— Eminem
- 2023"Sprinter"— Dave and Central Cee
- 2022"As It Was"— Harry Styles
- 2021"Good 4 U"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2020"Rockstar"— DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport June 18, 1983
Tom Watson wins his fifth British Open Championship at Royal Birkdale
Watson defeated Hale Irwin and Andy Bean by one stroke to claim his eighth major championship. The victory at Royal Birkdale marked his fifth Open Championship title in nine years.
Read the story
🔬 Science June 18, 2009
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), a NASA robotic spacecraft is launched.
The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) is launched to create a comprehensive map of the Moon's surface and search for potential landing sites.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Autistic Pride Day (International)
International
Autistic Pride Day is a pride celebration for autistic people held annually on 18 June
Foundation Day (Benguet)
International
Public holidays in the Philippines are of two types: regular holidays and special non-working days
Human Rights Day (Azerbaijan)
International
There are several public holidays in Azerbaijan
National Day (Seychelles)
International
This is a list of public holidays in Seychelles
Queen Mother's Birthday (Cambodia)
International
Cambodia has numerous public holidays, including memorial holidays and religious holidays of Buddhist origin
Waterloo Day (United Kingdom)
International
Waterloo Day is 18 June, the date of the Battle of Waterloo, in 1815