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 30 Wednesday, September 30, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 30 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
7
Holidays
1736
Religion 290 years ago
The Lebanese Council of 1736 begins, a major turning point in the reform of the Maronite Church. In the following three days, the assembled Maronite and Latin clergy presided by Yusuf ibn Siman as-Simani discuss various reforms and elaborate rules and canons.
The Lebanese Council convenes to reform the Maronite Church, with clergy presided over by Patriarch Yusuf Siman establishing new canons and ecclesiastical rules.
History
What happened on September 30
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 489European history
The Ostrogoths under Theoderic the Great defeat the forces of Odoacer for the second time.
Theoderic the Great defeats Odoacer's forces in a decisive battle, securing the fall of the Kingdom of Italy.
- 737War
The Turgesh drive back an Umayyad invasion of Khuttal, follow them south of the Oxus, and capture their baggage train.
The Turgesh repel an Umayyad invasion in Khuttal, pursue them south of the Oxus River, and seize their supply wagons.
- 1139Disaster
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake strikes the Caucasus mountains in the Seljuk Empire, causing mass destruction and killing up to 300,000 people.
A magnitude 7.7 earthquake devastates the Caucasus Mountains in the Seljuk Empire, killing an estimated 300,000 people.
- 1342European history
Battle of Morlaix is fought in the Hundred Years' War.
French and English fleets engage in a naval battle off the coast of Brittany during the Hundred Years' War.
- 1399UK history
Henry IV is proclaimed king of England.
Henry IV is proclaimed king of England, deposing his cousin Richard II and founding the Lancastrian dynasty.
- 1541US history
Spanish conquistador Hernando de Soto and his forces enter Tula territory in present-day western Arkansas, encountering fierce resistance.
Hernando de Soto and his forces encounter resistance as they enter Tula territory in present-day western Arkansas.
- 1551War
A coup by the military establishment of Japan's Ōuchi clan forces their lord to commit suicide, and their city is burned.
The military establishment of Japan's Ōuchi clan stages a coup, forcing their lord to commit suicide and burning the city.
- 1736Religion
The Lebanese Council of 1736 begins, a major turning point in the reform of the Maronite Church. In the following three days, the assembled Maronite and Latin clergy presided by Yusuf ibn Siman as-Simani discuss various reforms and elaborate rules and canons.
The Lebanese Council convenes to reform the Maronite Church, with clergy presided over by Patriarch Yusuf Siman establishing new canons and ecclesiastical rules.
- 1791Culture
The first performance of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute takes place two months before his death.
Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" debuts two months before his passing.
- 1863Culture
Georges Bizet's opera Les pêcheurs de perles, premieres in Paris.
Georges Bizet's opera "Les pêcheurs de perles" debuts in Paris, marking the beginning of his career as a prominent composer.
- 1882Technology
Thomas Edison's first commercial hydroelectric power plant, the Vulcan Street Plant, begins operation.
The Vulcan Street Plant in Edwardsville, Michigan, becomes the first commercial hydroelectric power plant to supply electricity to homes and businesses.
- 1968Technology
The Boeing 747 is rolled out and shown to the public for the first time.
The Boeing 747 makes its public debut, marking a new era in air travel.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 30
7 this date All birthdays
Cissy Houston
American singer
Cissy Houston, the American soul and gospel singer who began her career with the family group the Drinkard Singers and became a renowned session vocalist, was born today in 1933.
Born
1933
Died
2024
Peter Ward
New York politician
1827 – 1891
Reinhard Scheer
German admiral
1863 – 1928
Frankie Lymon
American singer-songwriter
1942 – 1968
Nicola Griffith
English-American author
b. 1960 · 66
Christopher Jackson
American actor, singer, musician, and composer
b. 1975 · 51
Ryane Clowe
Canadian ice hockey player
b. 1982 · 44
Music
The number one songs on September 30
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 30, 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"WAP"— Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport September 30, 1947
The 1947 World Series begins. It is the first to be televised, to include an African-American player, to exceed $2 million in receipts, to see a pinch-hit home run, and to have six umpires on the field.
The 1947 World Series starts with television coverage, an African-American player, over $2 million in receipts, a pinch-hit home run, and six umpires.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 30, 1846
William Morton demonstrates ether anesthesia in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital
Dentist William T.G. Morton publicly demonstrated the use of ether as a surgical anesthetic, successfully rendering a patient unconscious during an operation to remove a neck tumor. This demonstration revolutionized surgery by making painless operations possible.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
7 celebrated today
Agricultural Reform (Nationalization) Day (São Tomé and Príncipe)
International
This is a list of holidays in São Tomé and Príncipe
Birth of Morelos (Mexico)
International
In Mexico, there are three major kinds of public holidays:Statutory holiday: holidays observed all around Mexico
Blasphemy Day, educates individuals and groups about blasphemy laws and defends freedom of expression
International
Blasphemy Day, also known as International Blasphemy Day or International Blasphemy Rights Day, educates individuals and groups about blasphemy laws and defends freedom of expression, especially the o
Boy's Day (Poland)
International
Holidays in Poland are regulated by the Non-working Days Act of 18 January 1951
Independence Day (Botswana) or Botswana Day, celebrates the independence of Botswana from United Kingdom in 1966.
International
The Independence Day of Botswana, commonly called Boipuso in Setswana, is a national holiday observed in Botswana on September 30 of every year
International Translation Day (International Federation of Translators)
International
International Translation Day is an international day recognising translation professionals
❝
I sing God's music because it makes me feel free.
— Cissy Houston · born September 30, 1933