September 1, 1715
King Louis XIV Dies After a 72-Year Reign
On September 1, 1715, one of the most legendary monarchs in French history drew his final breath.
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September in History
122 events
September 1, 1752
Liberty Bell arrives in Philadelphia
The Liberty Bell stands as one of the most recognizable symbols of American Independence.
September 1, 1908
William C. Durant starts General Motors
When General Motors launched operations in September 1908, there was no way for William C.
September 1, 1911
1st Aerial Surveillance Mission: Italo-Turkish War
The Italo-Turkish War — sometimes called the Turco-Italian War — pitted the Kingdom of Italy against the Ottoman Empire in a struggle over colonial territory in North Africa.
September 1, 1914
The last passenger pigeon dies at the Cincinnati Zoo
The world's final Passenger Pigeon was a bird named Martha, and her origins are the subject of some debate.
September 1, 1981
Sandra Day O'Connor becomes 1st female US Supreme Court Justice
Most people are familiar with the name Sandra Day O'Connor — the trailblazing nominee put forward by Ronald Reagan, who made good on his pledge to appoint a woman to the nation's highest court.
September 1, 1985
Titanic Wreck is Found
It was the early morning hours of September 1, 1985, when decades of mystery finally gave way to revelation.
September 2, 1666
Great Fire of London begins on Pudding Lane
In 1666, a catastrophic blaze tore through London's streets with devastating force. The great fire of London laid waste to 13,200 houses along with 87 parish churches. Reports also indicate that St.
September 2, 1666
The Great Fire of London
It was a Sunday — September 2, 1666 — when flames tore through London in what would become one of the most catastrophic urban disasters in English history: the Great Fire of London.
September 2, 1931
Bing Crosby Debuts on the Radio
September 2, 1931, was a date that would forever change the landscape of American entertainment.
September 2, 1945
V-J Day
It's a common misconception that World War II came to a definitive close when Germany laid down its arms in May 1945.
September 3, 1773
Benjamin Franklin writes "There never was a good war or bad peace"
Following the signing of the Treaty of Paris, Benjamin Franklin made a memorable proclamation on September 11th, 1783: there was never a good war nor a bad peace.
September 3, 1838
Frederick Douglass escapes from slavery
On September 3, 1838, a young man disguised as a sailor made his bold bid for freedom — Frederick Douglass fled from captivity at Covey's farm.
September 3, 1856
Louis Sullivan Born
An American architect widely celebrated as the spiritual father of modern American architecture, Louis Sullivan — whose full name was Louis Henry Sullivan — became closely linked with the aesthetic
September 3, 1939
Britain Declares War on Germany
On September 3, 1939, the course of history shifted dramatically when Britain formally declared war on Germany. What followed would be six long years of global conflict.
September 3, 1967
Sweden Switched to Right-Hand Driving
On September 3, 1967, Sweden pulled off one of the most dramatic shifts in the history of road travel.
September 4, 1888
First roll-film camera patent & "Kodak" is registered
In 1888, George Eastman (born in 1854) secured a patent for the very first roll-film camera — a device that would revolutionize picture-taking and make photography accessible to photographers across
September 4, 1927
Charles Lindbergh visits Boise
Charles Lindbergh made a stop in Boise (Idaho) on September 4, 1927, as part of his sweeping cross-country tour.
September 4, 1951
The First Live Transcontinental TV Broadcast in the U.S.
On September 4, 1951, a technological marvel captivated the nation when President Harry S. Truman spoke from San Francisco in a broadcast beamed live to viewers spanning the entire United States.
September 4, 1957
"Little Rock Crisis"
America's long struggle for civil rights is defined by a handful of watershed moments, and few rival the dramatic events that began on September 4, 1957, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
September 5, 1839
First opium war begins
On September 5, 1839, hostilities erupted between the Qing Empire and the United Kingdom in what would become known as the first opium war.
September 5, 1847
Jesse James Born
In the American Old West, Jesse James carved out a notorious reputation as a bank and train robber, most famously associated with the outlaw outfit known as the James-Younger gang.
September 5, 1906
The First Forward Pass in American Football
For more than a hundred years, football on crisp fall afternoons has held a special place in the hearts of Americans.
September 5, 1972
Massacre at the Munich Olympics
Designed as a celebration of peace and global unity, the 1972 Munich Olympics took a devastating turn.
September 6, 1901
President McKinley is shot
Over a century ago, a 32-caliber Iver Johnson revolver was used to shoot President William McKinley twice.
September 6, 1914
The First Battle of the Marne Begins
Among the most pivotal clashes in the opening weeks of World War I, the First Battle of the Marne launched on September 6, 1914, and fundamentally altered the trajectory of the entire war.
September 6, 1916
1st "Piggly Wiggly" opens
The first genuine American supermarket made its debut on September 6th, 1916 — and it went by the unforgettable name of Piggly Wiggly.
September 6, 1995
Cal Ripken Jr. Breaks Lou Gehrig’s Streak
Few sports are as obsessed with statistics as baseball, yet certain figures transcend the game itself. On September 6, 1995, one such figure took center stage: 2,131.
September 7, 1888
1st baby to be placed in an incubator
Not so long ago, the care of newborn babies was essentially confined to the home. This meant that childbirth carried serious dangers, and premature or sick infants frequently perished without ever
September 7, 1888
The first baby is put in an incubator
At a mere 2 pounds 7 ounces, Baby Edith Eleanor McLean entered the world remarkably small — and immediately made medical history.
September 7, 1921
The First Miss America Pageant
What started as a clever marketing ploy wound up becoming one of America's most enduring cultural institutions—a dazzling blend of beauty, spectacle, and tradition.
September 7, 1996
The Murder of Tupac Shakur
Hip-hop lost one of its brightest stars on the night of September 7, 1996. That evening in Las Vegas, Nevada, rapper Tupac Shakur — a towering presence in the world of rap — fell victim to a drive-by
September 8, 1504
Michelangelo's Statue of David is unveiled
On September 8, 1504, in Florence, Italy, Michelangelo Buonarroti presented the world with his breathtaking Statue of David — a towering 17-foot tall masterpiece carved from white Italian Carrara
September 8, 1960
The American Horror Film "Psycho" is Released
On September 8, 1960, audiences were introduced to a film that would forever reshape the landscape of cinema: Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho.
September 8, 1966
The Premiere of Star Trek on NBC
On September 8, 1966, something unlike anything before hit American television screens when NBC aired the debut of _Star Trek_.
September 9, 1850
California Becomes a State
During the middle of the 1800s, the United States—still a fairly young nation—found its leadership increasingly consumed by ambitions of expansion and territorial growth.
September 9, 1890
Colonel Sanders is born
Born in Henryville, Indiana, on 9/9/1890, Harland David Sanders would go on to become one of America's most iconic entrepreneurs.
September 9, 1972
Soviet Union beats the United States in international basketball game
The organizers of the 1972 summer Olympics placed enormous weight on keeping the Games free from political influence.
September 9, 2015
Queen Elizabeth II Hits Milestone Reign Year
On September 9, 2015, a historic threshold was crossed in the story of the British monarchy.
September 10, 1924
Chicago's "the crime of the century"
On September 10, 1924, nearly a hundred years before our time, a pair of Chicago murderers were convicted of the kidnapping and murder of Robert "Bobby" Franks — a teenage boy whose life was cut
September 10, 1945
Mike the Headless chicken is decapitated
What happened on a Colorado farm on September 10, 1945, sounds like something out of a bizarre dream — but it was all too real.
September 10, 1991
Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was Released
On September 10, 1991, Nirvana unleashed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" into the world — the lead single from their sophomore record, _Nevermind_.
September 10, 2008
The Large Hadron Collider Activated by CERN
Beneath the Swiss-French border on September 10, 2008, humanity switched on the most powerful scientific instrument ever constructed.
September 11, 1697
Battle of Zenta
On September 11, 1697, forces of the Holy League squared off against the Ottoman Empire in what became known as the Battle of Zenta (present-day Senta, Siberia).
September 11, 1973
Chilean Coup d'État
It was September 11, 1973, and Chile's democratic era came to a brutal end. A military coup, spearheaded by General Augusto Pinochet, violently toppled President Salvador Allende from power.
September 11, 2001
World Trade Centers & Pentagon terrorist attack
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, the United States was struck by what can only be called the most devastating terrorist attack in recorded history.
September 11, 2001
World Trade Centers & Pentagon terrorist attack
On the morning of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, the United States was struck by what can only be called the most devastating terrorist attack in recorded history.
September 12, 1940
Lascaux Cave Paintings Discovered
On September 12, 1940, eighteen-year-old Marcel Ravidat chased his dog into a hole near Montignac, France — and what he found on the other side would turn out to be one of the most remarkable
September 12, 1953
JFK's Wedding Day
As the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy left an indelible mark through his leadership amid the Cold War and the Civil Rights Movement.
September 12, 1958
Supreme Court orders integration in Little Rock
* Though the integration plan originated in 1954 following the Supreme Court ruling, it didn't become a reality until 1961.
September 12, 1993
The Floating Seattle Bridge Opened
On September 12, 1993, Seattle witnessed a milestone moment when the Lacey V. Murrow floating bridge once again welcomed traffic.
September 13, 1848
Phineas Gage Survives Iron Rod Through Skull
What would you do if an iron rod blasted clean through your skull—and you lived to tell the tale?
September 13, 1909
1st Patent on Synthetic Rubber
Back on September 13, 1909, a German chemist by the name of Fritz Hofmann secured a patent that would change the materials world forever — the first synthetic rubber.
September 13, 1969
"Scooby-Doo Where are You" debuts
Marcel Ravidat was just eighteen years old on September 12, 1940, when he chased his dog down a hole near Montignac, France — and accidentally discovered what can only be described as an ancient
September 14, 1501
Michelangelo Started Work on the Statue of David
It was September 14, 1501, when Michelangelo, the legendary Italian artist, set chisel to stone and began what would become one of the Western world's most celebrated works of art — the statue of
September 14, 1901
Theodore Roosevelt becomes the youngest US President
Following the assassination of President William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt took the presidential oath on September 14th, 1901, stepping into the role of the 26th president of the United States.
September 14, 1959
Luna 2 Hit the Moon
On September 14, 1959, the Soviet Union achieved a groundbreaking first: its Luna 2 probe slammed into the lunar surface, becoming the earliest human-made object ever to make contact with another
September 14, 2020
Astronomers report possible life on Venus
On September 14, 2020, a team of astronomers announced a fascinating discovery: possible signs of life on Venus.
September 15, 1916
First use of tanks in warfare
On this day in 1916, the first tanks were deployed during warfare. During the Battle of the Somme, British forces unveiled the British Mark I tank, rolling it out as part of a large-scale offensive
September 15, 1916
Tanks Introduced in WWI
On September 15, 1916, warfare changed forever when tanks rolled onto the battlefield for the very first time.
September 15, 1997
Google.com becomes official
It's hard to imagine life without Google. From navigating unfamiliar streets to pulling up information with a quick tap of the screen, Google's products and services have woven themselves deeply into
September 15, 2008
The Lehman Brothers Collapse
On September 15, 2008, Lehman Brothers — a titan of global finance — filed for bankruptcy, setting off what would become the most spectacular unraveling of the worldwide economic crisis.
September 16, 1620
The Mayflower Sets Sail
On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower departed England, embarking on what would become one of history's most consequential voyages to America.
September 16, 1620
The Mayflower Started Journey to the New World
With aspirations of religious liberty and fresh economic prospects driving them forward, 102 Pilgrims departed England aboard the Mayflower on September 16, 1620, bound for America.
September 16, 1920
The Wall Street Bombing
A devastating and still-mysterious crime unfolded on September 16, 1920, when a horse-drawn wagon detonated just outside a J.P. Morgan & Co. building in New York City.
September 16, 1997
Apple names Steve Jobs interim CEO
On September 16, 1997, Steve Jobs stepped back into the leadership role at the very company he had helped create, taking on the title of (Interim) CEO of Apple Computers after the firm acquired NeXT
September 17, 1862
The Battle of Antietam
On September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, two massive armies collided in what would become the single bloodiest day of the Civil War.
September 17, 1916
WWI flying ace The Red Baron of the German Luftstreitkräfte, wins his first aerial combat
It was September 17, 1916, when the legendary aviator known as the Red Baron scored his very first combat kill, shooting down a British aircraft over Northern France.
September 17, 1964
The Beatles' Record-Breaking Payment
Amid their first-ever American tour in 1964, the Beatles made a remarkable gesture of goodwill toward their fans on September 17, 1964, by sacrificing a precious day off. The destination?
September 17, 1978
Camp David Accords Signed
Following nearly two weeks of grueling deliberations at the presidential retreat in Maryland, the Camp David Accords were signed on September 17, 1978, by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli
September 18, 1812
Great Fire of Moscow ends
For five harrowing days, flames consumed Moscow — and the inferno's glow could be seen from an astonishing 215 km away.
September 18, 1837
The Foundation of Tiffany & Co.
It all started on September 18, 1837, when Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young opened a modest "fancy goods" store at 259 Broadway in New York City.
September 18, 1947
The CIA officially comes into existence
Following the passage of The National Security Act, signed into law by President Harry S.
September 18, 1947
The US Air Force Becomes its Own Division
On September 18, 1947, a new chapter in American military history was written: the US Air Force officially came into existence as a standalone branch of the Armed Forces.
September 19, 1796
George Washington's farewell address is published
On Sept 19, 1796, a Philadelphia newspaper released what has come to be seen as the founding president's enduring gift to the nation — the document we now call George Washington's Farewell.
September 19, 1893
New Zealand Grants Women the Right to Vote
When New Zealand's Governor Lord Glasgow put his signature on the Electoral Act of 1893 on September 19, 1893, the world witnessed something unprecedented.
September 19, 1957
The Rainier Event
At the height of Cold War paranoia, as the nuclear arms race pushed the world's superpowers into an ever-more-dangerous competition, the United States was on the hunt for ways to test its growing
September 19, 1985
8.1 earthquake hits Mexico City
On the morning of September 19, 1985, a devastating earthquake measuring magnitude 8.1 slammed into Mexico City, unleashing destruction on a massive scale.
September 20, 1973
Billie Jean King Wins Battle of the Sexes
More than 90 million viewers around the globe gathered in front of their television sets on September 20, 1973, to witness what would become one of the most iconic tennis matches ever played.
September 20, 1984
The Pilot Episode of The Cosby Show Aired
September 20, 1984, marked the television debut of what would become one of the most dominant ratings powerhouses ever to hit the small screen: _The Cosby Show.
September 20, 2019
Greta Thunberg leads world's largest climate change protest
Three days ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit, on September 20, 2019, the streets of Manhattan, New York came alive with what would become the world's largest climate change protest.
September 21, 1915
Cecil Chubb buys Stonehenge for £6,600
Few monuments capture the imagination quite like Stonehenge — a Unesco World Heritage site shrouded in mystery and steeped in ancient significance.
September 21, 1937
A New Wave of High Fantasy Fiction is Started with "The Hobbit"
On September 21, 1937, _The Hobbit_ hit bookshelves and left an indelible mark on the fantasy genre.
September 21, 1982
NFL players begin a 57 day strike
On September 21, 1982, members of the NFL players Union decided to walk off the job, leveraging the strike as a tool to pressure franchise owners into meeting their demands.
September 21, 2004
Green Day Released "American Idiot"
On September 21, 2004, Green Day dropped _American Idiot_, an album that would reshape their legacy and reignite their place in rock music.
September 22, 1692
Last people hanged for witchcraft (8) in the US
Long before anyone understood that toxic rye was behind the strange hallucinations and violent convulsions afflicting certain residents, the town of Salem had already descended into chaos.
September 22, 1862
Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation from Abraham Lincoln
School textbooks across America typically credit Abraham Lincoln with liberating enslaved people through the Emancipation Proclamation that came at the beginning of 1863.
September 22, 1991
The Dead Sea Scrolls Go Public
On September 22, 1991, the Huntington Library in San Marino, California, dropped a bombshell that would reshape the landscape of biblical scholarship.
September 22, 1994
"Friends" TV series debuts on NBC
NBC introduced audiences to what would become one of America's most beloved sitcoms when "Friends" first hit the airwaves on September 22, 1994.
September 23, 1806
The Return of Lewis and Clark
Back in 1803, the fledgling United States struck a monumental deal with France, snapping up more than 800,000 square miles of land west of the Mississippi River.
September 23, 1821
Fall of Tripolitsa
The siege of Tripolitsa during the summer of 1821 marked a pivotal early triumph for the Greeks as they fought for independence from the Ottoman Empire.
September 23, 1952
Richard Nixon Delivered Famous "Checkers Speech"
Most people today associate former President Richard Nixon with the Watergate scandal that ultimately forced him out of the White House.
September 23, 1957
President Eisenhower orders US troops to support integration of nine black students at Little Rock Central High School
On September 4, 1957, armed troops from the Arkansas National Guard physically blocked 9 black students from entering Central High School in Little Rock — a group that would come to be known as the
September 24, 1789
US Federal Judiciary Act creates a six-person Supreme Court
The Judiciary Act of 1789 brought the federal court system of the USA into existence through a landmark piece of legislation.
September 24, 1852
The First Powered Airship Takes Flight
Long before the age of jets and helicopters dominating our skies, a French engineer harbored an ambitious vision: a flying machine capable of independent, directed movement through the air.
September 24, 1950
Operation Magic Carpet concludes after having transported 45,000 Yemenite Jews to Israel
Jewish communities had already established themselves in Yemen long before 586 BC, when the First Temple was destroyed.
September 24, 1980
The Official Start of the First Gulf War
The Iranian Revolution of 1979 — that sweeping upheaval that dismantled the Pahlavi dynasty and ushered in an Islamic republic — threw the country into turmoil.
September 25, 1897
William Faulkner was Born
Mississippi gave the world one of its most extraordinary literary voices on this day in history, when William Cuthbert Faulkner was born.
September 25, 1910
Bonnie Parker, from Bonnie & Clyde, born
Bonnie Parker entered the world on October 1, 1910, in the small town of Rowena, Texas. She was the middle child in a family of three children.
September 25, 1910
Bonnie Parker, from Bonnie & Clyde, born
On October 1, 1910, Bonnie Parker came into the world in Rowena, Texas. She was the middle child of three siblings.
September 25, 1926
Henry Ford announces an 8 hour, 5-day work week
Ever wondered where the standard 9 am-5 pm workday actually originated? The answer might catch you off guard — it was Henry Ford who pioneered the concept.
September 25, 1970
The Partridge Family Hits the Screen
American television took a decidedly groovier, more musical, and far more vibrant turn on this day in 1970.
September 26, 1665
Height of the Great Plague of London as 7,165 people die throughout the previous week
The devastation of the black death in 1348 had seemed like a once-in-history catastrophe—surely London would never face anything so horrific again.
September 26, 1815
Russia, Prussia and Austria sign the Holy Alliance
On September 26th, 1815, three of the world's most powerful nations — Russia, Prussia and Austria — came together to formalize a remarkable pact. Their goal?
September 26, 1960
Kennedy vs. Nixon: The First Presidential Debate
While American history is no stranger to various forms of presidential discourse and debate, the encounter that took place on September 26th, 1960 is widely considered the first to resemble the
September 26, 1983
A Soviet Officer Prevented Nuclear War
During the Cold War, the relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union was defined by relentless hostility and suspicion.
September 27, 1590
Pope Urban VII dies
Giovanni Battista Castagna, who would become Pope Urban VII (1521-1590), holds a remarkable distinction in papal history — his reign lasted a mere 13 days, concluding on September 27, 1590.
September 27, 1822
Jean-François Champollion announces he has deciphered Egyptian hieroglyphics using the Rosetta Stone
Chances are, if you've ever wandered through the British Museum, one artifact caught your eye — a slab covered in hieroglyphic writing known as the Rosetta stone.
September 27, 1825
First Passenger Train Journey
On September 27, 1825, something unprecedented unfolded in northeastern England. A noisy, smoke-spewing engine thundered into motion along the freshly laid Stockton and Darlington Railway, and the
September 27, 1908
Ford Motor Company Revolutionized Transportation
The date September 27, 1908, stands as a turning point in how people get around. That was the day the very first Ford Model T emerged from the Detroit factory — a car destined to transform the entire
September 28, 551
BC Confucius born
What makes Confucius stand out among the great thinkers of the ancient world? His philosophical teachings have long served as a moral and ethical guide for those seeking purpose-driven, meaningful
September 28, 1781
The Siege of Yorktown: A Turning Point in the American Revolution
British dominance during the American Revolution came crashing down at the Siege of Yorktown.
September 28, 1887
Yellow River floods in China
When we talk about the Yellow River flood, we're really talking about a series of three catastrophic events that struck in 1887, 1931, and 1938.
September 28, 1924
First Aerial Circumnavigation Completed
What would it take to fly around the entire planet in 1924? No radios. No GPS. No sophisticated instruments.
September 29, 1789
The United States Congress Officially Established the U.S. Army
On September 29, 1789, an act of the United States Congress brought the U.S. Army into official existence — a landmark decision that would resonate through the centuries.
September 29, 1863
Opera "The Pearl Fishers" (Les Pêcheurs de Perles) by Bizet is first produced in Paris
On September, 29th 1863, the celebrated opera "Les Pêcheurs de Perles" — known in English as the "Pearl Fishers" — made its debut at the Theatre Lyrics in Paris.
September 29, 1916
John D Rockefeller becomes the first American billionaire
On September 29, 1916, John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) made history as the first person in the United States of America to reach billionaire status, thanks to his ownership of Standard Oil.
September 29, 1982
The Start of the Chicago Tylenol Murders
On September 29, 1982, something unthinkable happened in the Chicago area—a handful of ordinary Tylenol Extra-Strength capsules turned into instruments of death, triggering one of the most haunting
September 30, 1846
Anesthetic ether used for 1st time by American dentist Dr William Morton who extracts a tooth
It was in 1846 that the medical world witnessed a groundbreaking moment — the very first clinical application of ether as a dental anesthetic.
September 30, 1946
22 Nazi leaders, are found guilty of war crimes at the Nuremberg war trial
World War II stands as one of the most harrowing chapters ever written in human history.
September 30, 1955
James Dean Died in a Car Crash
On September 30, 1955, Hollywood suffered one of its most devastating losses when James Dean was killed in a car crash at the age of just 24.
September 30, 1962
The Ole Miss Riot
Back in 1954, the United States Supreme Court handed down a groundbreaking ruling in Brown v.