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 18 Friday, September 18, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 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
War 572 years ago
Thirteen Years' War: In the Battle of Chojnice, the Polish army is defeated by the Teutonic knights.
The Polish army suffers a defeat at the hands of the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of Chojnice during the Thirteen Years' War.
History
What happened on September 18
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 96World history
Emperor Domitian is assassinated as a result of a plot by his wife Domitia and two Praetorian prefects. Nerva is then proclaimed as his successor.
Domitian is assassinated in a plot led by his wife Domitia and two Praetorian prefects; Nerva succeeds him.
- 324War
Constantine the Great decisively defeats Licinius in the Battle of Chrysopolis, establishing Constantine's sole control over the Roman Empire.
Constantine the Great defeats Licinius at the Battle of Chrysopolis, ending the civil war and becoming sole ruler of the Roman Empire.
- 1048War
Battle of Kapetron between a combined Byzantine-Georgian army and a Seljuq army.
A combined Byzantine-Georgian army battles a Seljuq army for control of strategic locations in the Caucasus.
- 1066UK history
Norwegian king Harald Hardrada lands with Tostig Godwinson at the mouth of the Humber River and begins his invasion of England.
Harald Hardrada and Tostig Godwinson land at the Humber River's mouth, starting their invasion of England.
- 1180European history
Philip Augustus becomes king of France at the age of fifteen.
Philip Augustus ascends to the French throne at fifteen, beginning a reign marked by military conquests and centralization of power.
- 1454War
Thirteen Years' War: In the Battle of Chojnice, the Polish army is defeated by the Teutonic knights.
The Polish army suffers a defeat at the hands of the Teutonic Knights in the Battle of Chojnice during the Thirteen Years' War.
- 1544World history
The expedition of Juan Bautista Pastene makes landfall in San Pedro Bay, southern Chile, claiming the territory for Spain.
Spanish navigator Juan Bautista Pastene makes landfall in San Pedro Bay, claiming the southern Chilean coast for Spain.
- 1618World history
The twelfth baktun in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar begins.
The start of the twelfth baktun marks a significant period in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar.
- 1739European history
The Treaty of Belgrade is signed, whereby Austria cedes lands south of the Sava and Danube rivers to the Ottoman Empire.
Austria cedes lands south of the Sava and Danube rivers to the Ottoman Empire in the Treaty of Belgrade.
- 1793US history
The first cornerstone of the United States Capitol is laid by George Washington.
George Washington lays the cornerstone for the United States Capitol.
- 1851US history
First publication of The New-York Daily Times, which later becomes The New York Times.
The New-York Daily Times is first published, eventually becoming The New York Times.
- 1958Technology
The Bank of America introduces its first credit card, the BankAmericard (later renamed the VISA Card), in a test market in Fresno County, California.
Bank of America issues the first BankAmericard in Fresno County, pioneering modern credit card usage.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 18
7 this date All birthdays
Music
The number one songs on September 18
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 18, 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"B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)"— Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal
- 2021"Bad Habits"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"WAP"— Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport September 18, 2010
Philippe Croizon becomes the first quadruple amputee to swim across the English Channel.
Philippe Croizon swims across the English Channel, becoming the first quadruple amputee to complete the feat.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 18, 1977
Voyager I takes the first distant photograph of the Earth and the Moon together.
Voyager 1 captures the first photograph of Earth and the Moon together from interplanetary space.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
6 celebrated today
Day of National Music (Azerbaijan)
International
National Music Day in Azerbaijan is a holiday annually celebrated on 18 September on the birthday of the founder of the modern professional musical art of Azerbaijan, Uzeyir Hajibeyov
Island Language Day (Okinawa Prefecture, Japan)
International
The Ryukyuan languages , also Lewchewan or Luchuan, are the indigenous languages of the Ryukyu Islands, the southernmost part of the Japanese archipelago
National Day or Dieciocho (Chile)
International
The Fiestas Patrias of Chile consist of two days, with a third one added on some years:18 September, in commemoration of the proclamation of the First Governing Body of 1810, and marking the beginning
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (United States)
International
HIV
Navy Day (Croatia)
International
Several nations observe or have observed a Navy Day to recognize their navy
World Water Monitoring Day
International
World Water Monitoring Day was an international day established in 2003 by America's Clean Water Foundation (ACWF) as a global educational outreach program
❝
The advancement and diffusion of knowledge is the only guardian of true liberty.
— James Madison · born September 18, 1751