On September 28th 1066, claiming his right to the English throne, William, duke of Normandy, invaded England at Pevensey on Britain's southeast coast. His subsequent defeat of King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings marked the beginning of a new era in British history. William was the illegitimate son of Robert I, duke of … Continue reading September 28 1066 William the Conqueror invades England
Author: Craig Hill
Social Justice Campaigner, Writer, Teacher and Business Consultant. Lived in China and USA. Dealing with disability.
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September 27 1854 Ships collide off Newfoundland
On September 27th 1854, sudden and heavy fog caused two ships to collide, killing 322 people off the coast of Newfoundland The Arctic was a luxury ship, built in 1850 to carry passengers across the Atlantic Ocean. It had a wooden hull and could reach speeds of up to 13 knots per hour, an impressive … Continue reading September 27 1854 Ships collide off Newfoundland
September 26 2008 Screen legend Paul Newman dies
On September 26th 2008, Paul Newman, one of the leading movie stars of the 20th century, died at the age of 83 from cancer at his home in Westport, Connecticut. In a career spanning more than five decades, Newman made over 65 movies, including the classics “Cool Hand Luke,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” … Continue reading September 26 2008 Screen legend Paul Newman dies
September 25 2005 IRA officially disarms
On September 25th 2005, two months after announcing its intention to disarm, the Irish Republican Army (IRA) gave up its weapons in front of independent weapons inspectors. The decommissioning of the group's substantial arsenal took place in secret locations in the Republic of Ireland. One Protestant and one Catholic priest as well as officials from … Continue reading September 25 2005 IRA officially disarms
September 24 1966 The Monkees get their first real-life pop hit
On September 24th 1966, the made-for-television Monkees smashed into the real world when their first single, "Last Train To Clarksville," entered the Billboard Top 40. When producers Bert Schneider and Bob Rafelson conceived a situation comedy called The Monkees in 1965, they hoped to create a ratings success by blurring the line between pop music … Continue reading September 24 1966 The Monkees get their first real-life pop hit
September 23 1994 The Shawshank Redemption debuts
On September 23rd 1994, The Shawshank Redemption, starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, opened in theatres around the United States. Based on a short story titled “Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption,” by the best-selling author Stephen King, the movie followed the story of a man named Andy Dufresne (Robbins) who is sentenced to life … Continue reading September 23 1994 The Shawshank Redemption debuts
September 22 1828 Shaka Zulu assassinated
On September 22nd 1828, Shaka, founder of the Zulu Kingdom of southern Africa, was murdered by his two half-brothers, Dingane and Mhlangana, after Shaka's mental illness threatened to destroy the Zulu tribe. When Shaka became chief of the Zulus in 1816, the tribe numbered fewer than 1,500 and was among the smaller of the hundreds … Continue reading September 22 1828 Shaka Zulu assassinated
September 21 1949 Mao Zedong outlines the new Chinese government
On September 21st 1949, at the opening of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Peking, Mao Zedong announced that the new Chinese government would be "under the leadership of the Communist Party of China." The September 1949 conference in Peking was both a celebration of the communist victory in the long civil war against … Continue reading September 21 1949 Mao Zedong outlines the new Chinese government
September 20 1946 First Cannes Film Festival
On September 20th 1946, the first annual Cannes Film Festival opened at the resort city of Cannes on the French Riviera. The festival had intended to make its debut in September 1939, but the outbreak of World War II forced the cancellation of the inaugural Cannes. The world's first annual international film festival was inaugurated … Continue reading September 20 1946 First Cannes Film Festival
September 19 1957 Nevada is site of first ever underground nuclear explosion
On September 19th 1957, the United States detonated a 1.7 kiloton nuclear weapon in an underground tunnel at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), a 1,375 square mile research centre located 65 miles north of Las Vegas. The test, known as Rainier, was the first fully contained underground detonation and produced no radioactive fallout. A modified … Continue reading September 19 1957 Nevada is site of first ever underground nuclear explosion
September 18 1973 Jimmy Carter files report on UFO sighting
On September 18th 1973, future President Jimmy Carter filed a report with the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), claiming he had seen an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) in October 1969. During the presidential campaign of 1976, Democratic challenger Carter was forthcoming about his belief that he had seen a UFO. He described waiting … Continue reading September 18 1973 Jimmy Carter files report on UFO sighting
September 17 1916 The Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen shoots down his first plane
On September 17th 1916, the German air ace Manfred von Richthofen, known to history as the "Red Baron,"shot down his first enemy plane over the Western Front during World War I. Richthofen, the son of a Prussian nobleman, switched from the German army to the Imperial Air Service in 1915. He became the star pupil … Continue reading September 17 1916 The Red Baron Manfred von Richthofen shoots down his first plane
September 16 1810 Mexican War of Independence begins
On September 16th 1810, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, a Catholic priest, launched the Mexican War of Independence with the issuing of his Grito de Dolores, or "Cry of Dolores." The revolutionary tract, so-named because it was publicly read by Hidalgo in the town of Dolores, called for the end of 300 years of Spanish rule … Continue reading September 16 1810 Mexican War of Independence begins
September 15 1890 Agatha Christie is born
On September 15th 1890, Mary Clarissa Agatha Miller, later known as Agatha Christie, was born in Torquay, Devon, England. Raised and educated at Ashfield, her parents' comfortable home, Christie began making up stories as a child. Her mother and her older sister Madge also made up stories: Madge told especially thrilling tales about a fictional, … Continue reading September 15 1890 Agatha Christie is born
September 14 1982 Hollywood star and real-life princess Grace Kelly dies
On this day in 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, the American-born former film star Grace Kelly, whose movie credits include The Country Girl and Rear Window, died at the age of 52 from injuries suffered after her car plunged off a mountain road near Monte Carlo. During the height of her Hollywood career in the … Continue reading September 14 1982 Hollywood star and real-life princess Grace Kelly dies
September 13 1916 Children’s author Roald Dahl is born
On September 13th 1916, Roald Dahl, author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (1964) and James and the Giant Peach (1961), was born in South Wales. Dahl's childhood was filled with tragedy. His father and sister died when Dahl was three, and he was later brutally abused at his boarding school. After high school, he … Continue reading September 13 1916 Children’s author Roald Dahl is born
September 12 1953 John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Bouvier
On September 12th 1953, Massachusetts Senator John F. Kennedy, the future 35th president of the United States, married Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island. Seven years later, the couple would become the youngest president and first lady in American history. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was born into a prominent New York family in 1929 and grew … Continue reading September 12 1953 John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Bouvier
September 11 2001 Attack on America
On September 11 2001, at 8:45 a.m. on a clear Tuesday morning, an American Airlines Boeing 767 loaded with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centre in New York City. The impact left a gaping, burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing … Continue reading September 11 2001 Attack on America
September 10 1962 Rod Laver wins tennis Grand Slam
On September 10th 1962, Rod Laver defeated fellow Australian Roy Emerson in four sets to win the U.S. Open. With the victory, Laver became the first man to win the tennis "Grand Slam" of four major tournaments in the same year since Don Budge in 1938. Having already won the first three major tennis championships … Continue reading September 10 1962 Rod Laver wins tennis Grand Slam
September 9 1976 Mao Zedong dies
On September 9th 1976, Chinese revolutionary and statesman Mao Zedong, who had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and other health problems, died in Beijing at the age of 82. The Communist leader and founder of the People's Republic of China is considered one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. Mao was born … Continue reading September 9 1976 Mao Zedong dies
September 8 1664 New Amsterdam becomes New York
On September 8th 1664, Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant surrendered New Amsterdam, the capital of New Netherland, to an English naval squadron under Colonel Richard Nicolls. Stuyvesant had hoped to resist the English, but he was an unpopular ruler, and his Dutch subjects refused to rally around him. Following its capture, New Amsterdam's name was changed … Continue reading September 8 1664 New Amsterdam becomes New York
September 7 1986 Desmond Tutu becomes archbishop
On September 7th 1986, Bishop Desmond Tutu became the archbishop of Cape Town, two years after winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent opposition to apartheid in South Africa. As archbishop, he was the first black to head South Africa's Anglican church. In 1948, South Africa's white minority government institutionalised its policy of racial … Continue reading September 7 1986 Desmond Tutu becomes archbishop
September 6 1997 Princess Diana’s funeral watched by 2.5 billion people
On September 6th 1997, an estimated 2.5 billion people around the globe tuned in to television broadcasts of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, who died at the age of 36 in a car crash in Paris the week before. During her 15-year marriage to Prince Charles, the son of Queen Elizabeth II and … Continue reading September 6 1997 Princess Diana’s funeral watched by 2.5 billion people
September 5 1972 Arab terrorists take Israeli hostages at the Olympics
On September 5th 1972, in the early morning hours, six members of the Arab terrorist group known as Black September dressed in the Olympic sweat suits of Arab nations and jumped the fence surrounding the Olympic village in Munich, Germany, carrying bags filled with guns. Although guards spotted them, they paid little attention because athletes … Continue reading September 5 1972 Arab terrorists take Israeli hostages at the Olympics
September 4 2002 Kelly Clarkson wins first American Idol
On September 4th 2002, Kelly Clarkson, a 20-year-old cocktail waitress from Texas, won Season One of American Idol in a live television broadcast from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Clarkson came out on top in the amateur singing contest over 23-year-old runner-up Justin Guarini after millions of viewers cast their votes for her by phone. She was … Continue reading September 4 2002 Kelly Clarkson wins first American Idol
Craig Hill 