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
October 4 Sunday, October 4, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on October 4 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
5
Holidays
1302
European history 724 years ago
The Byzantine-Venetian War comes to an end.
The Byzantine Empire and Venice sign a peace treaty, concluding a conflict that began over control of trade routes in the eastern Mediterranean.
History
What happened on October 4
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 23Chinese history
Rebels sack the Chinese capital Chang'an during a peasant rebellion.
Rebels capture and loot the Chinese capital Chang'an, marking a significant blow to imperial authority.
- 1209European history
Otto IV is crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire by Pope Innocent III.
Otto IV is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Innocent III in Rome, though their alliance would soon deteriorate into bitter conflict.
- 1302European history
The Byzantine-Venetian War comes to an end.
The Byzantine Empire and Venice sign a peace treaty, concluding a conflict that began over control of trade routes in the eastern Mediterranean.
- 1363War
Battle of Lake Poyang: In one of the largest naval battles in history, Zhu Yuanzhang's rebels defeat rival Chen Youliang.
Zhu Yuanzhang's rebel forces triumph over Chen Youliang in a massive naval battle on Lake Poyang.
- 1535Religion
The Coverdale Bible is printed, with translations into English by William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale.
The Coverdale Bible is published, featuring English translations by William Tyndale and Myles Coverdale.
- 1597US history
Governor Gonzalo Méndez de Canço begins to suppress a native uprising against his rule in what is now the US state of Georgia.
Governor Gonzalo Méndez de Canço begins suppressing a native uprising against Spanish colonial authority in present-day Georgia.
- 1602European history
Eighty Years' War and the Anglo-Spanish War: A fleet of Spanish galleys are defeated by English and Dutch galleons in the English Channel.
English and Dutch galleons defeat a fleet of Spanish galleys in the English Channel.
- 1636War
Thirty Years' War: The Swedish Army defeats the armies of Saxony and the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Wittstock.
Gustavus Adolphus leads the Swedish army to victory against Saxony and the Holy Roman Empire at the Battle of Wittstock.
- 1777War
American Revolutionary War: Troops under George Washington are repelled by British troops under William Howe.
British forces under General William Howe defeat American troops led by George Washington in the Battle of Long Island.
- 1795French history
Napoleon first rises to prominence by suppressing counter-revolutionary rioters threatening the National Convention.
Napoleon suppresses a counter-revolutionary riot, securing his reputation and rising to prominence in French politics.
- 1853War
The Crimean War begins when the Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire.
The Ottoman Empire declares war on Russia, marking the beginning of the Crimean War.
- 1992World history
The Rome General Peace Accords end a 16-year civil war in Mozambique.
The Rome General Peace Accords end the civil war in Mozambique, bringing peace after 16 years of conflict.
Born today
Famous birthdays on October 4
7 this date All birthdays
Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı
Turkish poet and author
Cahit Sıtkı Tarancı, Turkish poet best known for "Otuz Beş Yaş" and themes of life's joy and mortality, was born in 1910.
Born
1910
Died
1956
Rutherford B. Hayes
American general, lawyer, and politician, 19th President of the United States
1822 – 1893
Engelbert Dollfuss
Austrian soldier and politician, 14th Federal Chancellor of Austria
1892 – 1934
Charlton Heston
American actor, director and gun rights activist
1923 – 2008
Ann Thwaite
English author
b. 1933 · 93
Bernice Johnson Reagon
American singer-songwriter
1942 – 2024
Micky Ward
American boxer
b. 1965 · 61
Music
The number one songs on October 4
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on October 4, 1991
"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You"
by Bryan Adams
#1 for 16 weeks
Also #1 on this day
- 2025"Golden"— Huntrix / Ejae / Audrey Nuna / Rei Ami & KPop Demon Hunters Cast
- 2024"Taste"— Sabrina Carpenter
- 2023"Paint the Town Red"— Doja Cat
- 2022"I'm Good (Blue)"— David Guetta and Bebe Rexha
- 2021"Shivers"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"Mood"— 24kGoldn featuring Iann Dior
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport October 4, 1895
Horace Rawlins wins the first U.S. Open Men's Golf Championship.
Horace Rawlins wins the inaugural U.S. Open Men's Golf Championship.
Read the story
🔬 Science October 4, 1957
Sputnik 1 becomes the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.
Sputnik 1 launches, becoming the first artificial satellite to orbit the Earth.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
5 celebrated today
Cinnamon Roll Day (Sweden and Finland)
International
Cinnamon Roll Day or Cinnamon Bun Day falls on 4 October each year
Day of Peace and Reconciliation (Mozambique)
International
Independence Day, celebrates the independence of Lesotho from the United Kingdom in 1966.
International
This is a list of holidays in Lesotho
The beginning of World Space Week (International)
International
World Space Week (WSW) is an annual holiday observed from October 4 to 10 in over 95 nations throughout the world
World Animal Day
International
World Animal Day is an international day of action for animal welfare celebrated annually on October 4, the feast day of Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals
❝
In the end we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught.
— Baba Dioum · born October 4, 1937