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 9 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
A curious almanac of what happened on September 9 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
8
Holidays
1944
WWII 82 years ago
World War II: The Fatherland Front takes power in Bulgaria through a military coup in the capital and armed rebellion in the country. A new pro-Soviet government is established.
A military coup in Sofia and armed rebellion across Bulgaria bring the Fatherland Front to power, establishing a pro-Soviet government.
History
What happened on September 9
12 verified entries Full timeline
- 337Royalty
Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans succeed their father Constantine I as co-emperors. The Roman Empire is divided between the three Augusti.
Constantine II, Constantius II, and Constans become co-emperors, dividing the Roman Empire among themselves.
- 1000European history
Battle of Svolder during the Viking Age.
King Olaf Tryggvason's fleet is defeated in a sea battle against a coalition of Danish and Swedish forces.
- 1141War
Yelü Dashi, the Liao dynasty general who founded the Qara Khitai, defeats the Seljuq and Kara-Khanid forces at the Battle of Qatwan.
Yelü Dashi defeats Seljuq and Kara-Khanid forces at the Battle of Qatwan, establishing the Qara Khitai empire.
- 1320European history
In the Battle of Saint George, the Byzantines under Andronikos Asen ambush and defeat the forces of the Principality of Achaea, securing possession of Arcadia.
Andronikos Asen leads Byzantine forces in an ambush that defeats the Principality of Achaea at the Battle of Saint George, securing control of Arcadia.
- 1493World history
Christopher Columbus, with 17 ships and 1,200 men, sails on second voyage from Cadiz.
Christopher Columbus sets sail from Cadiz with a fleet of 17 ships and 1,200 men for his second voyage.
- 1499World history
The citizens of Lisbon celebrate the triumphal return of the explorer Vasco de Gama, completing his two-year journey around the Cape of Good Hope to India.
Lisbon celebrates the return of Vasco da Gama, who completed a two-year voyage around the Cape of Good Hope to India.
- 1513War
James IV of Scotland is defeated and dies in the Battle of Flodden, ending Scotland's involvement in the War of the League of Cambrai.
James IV of Scotland is killed in the Battle of Flodden, ending Scottish participation in the War of the League of Cambrai.
- 1588UK history
Thomas Cavendish in his ship Desire enters Plymouth and completes the first deliberately planned voyage of circumnavigation.
Thomas Cavendish returns to Plymouth in the Desire, completing the first intentionally planned circumnavigation of the globe.
- 1776US history
The Continental Congress officially names its union of states the United States.
The Continental Congress formally renames the union of states as the United States.
- 1791US history
Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, is named after President George Washington.
The city of Washington, D.C., becomes the capital of the United States and is named in honor of President George Washington.
- 1845European history
Possible start of the Great Famine of Ireland.
The potato crop begins to fail across Ireland, marking the onset of a catastrophic famine that will claim over a million lives.
- 1944WWII
World War II: The Fatherland Front takes power in Bulgaria through a military coup in the capital and armed rebellion in the country. A new pro-Soviet government is established.
A military coup in Sofia and armed rebellion across Bulgaria bring the Fatherland Front to power, establishing a pro-Soviet government.
Born today
Famous birthdays on September 9
7 this date All birthdays
🎂 38
Will Middlebrooks
American baseball player
Will Middlebrooks, former Major League Baseball third baseman who debuted with the Boston Red Sox and now serves as their main radio color analyst, turns 38 today.
Born
1988
Turns 38
today
Thomas Hutchinson
English historian and politician, Governor of the province of Massachusetts Bay
1711 – 1780
Elvin Jones
American drummer and bandleader
1927 – 2004
Bob Hartley
Canadian ice hockey player and coach
b. 1960 · 66
Marcos Curiel
American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer
b. 1974 · 52
Mattias Öhlund
Swedish ice hockey player
b. 1976 · 50
Graham Onions
English cricketer
b. 1982 · 44
Music
The number one songs on September 9
Across the years Full chart history
🇬🇧 #1 on September 9, 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"Vampire"— Olivia Rodrigo
- 2022"B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)"— Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal
- 2021"Bad Habits"— Ed Sheeran
- 2020"Head & Heart"— Joel Corry and MNEK
Film & TV
At the movies
Box office #1 and premieres All releases
🏆 Sport September 9, 1979
Tracy Austin becomes youngest U.S. Open women's singles champion at age 16
Tracy Austin defeated Chris Evert in straight sets to win the U.S. Open women's singles title, becoming the youngest champion in the tournament's history. Her victory at 16 years and 9 months marked a generational shift in women's tennis.
Read the story
🔬 Science September 9, 2009
The Dubai Metro, the first urban train network in the Arabian Peninsula, is ceremonially inaugurated.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum inaugurates the Dubai Metro, the region's first urban train network.
Read the storyToday is also
Holidays & observances
8 celebrated today
Armored Forces Day (Ukraine)
International
The Armed Forces of Ukraine are the military forces responsible for the defence of Ukraine and its national interests
California Admission Day (California, United States)
International
The California Statehood Act, officially An Act for the Admission of the State of California into the Union and also known as the California Admission Act, is the federal legislation that admitted Cal
Children's Day (Costa Rica)
International
Children's Day is a commemorative date celebrated annually in honour of children, whose date of observance varies by country
Chrysanthemum Day or Kiku no Sekku (Japan)
International
Chrysanthemum Day is one of the five ancient sacred festivals of Japan
Day of the Victims of Holocaust and of Racial Violence (Slovakia)
International
Remembrance Days in Slovakia are working days
Emergency Services Day (United Kingdom)
International
Emergency Services Day in the United Kingdom is an annual event on 9 September each year to promote efficiency in the UK Emergency Services and National Health Service, to educate the public about usi
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In every conceivable manner, the family is link to our past, bridge to our future.
— Alex Haley · born September 9, 1921