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
Category: News and Features
News, Features, Media Releases and Comments
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
September 3 1935 Sir Malcolm Campbell exceeds 300 mph
On September 3rd 1935, a new land-speed record was set by Britain's famed speed demon, Sir Malcolm Campbell. On the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah, Campbell and his 2,500-hp motor car Bluebird made two runs over a one-mile course at speeds averaging 301.129 mph. In breaking the 300-mph barrier, he surpassed the world record of … Continue reading September 3 1935 Sir Malcolm Campbell exceeds 300 mph
September 2 1973 Lord of the Rings creator Tolkien dies
On September 2nd 1973, J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the best-selling fantasy novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings--the source of the award-winning blockbuster movie trilogy directed, co-produced and co-written by Peter Jackson--dies at the age of 81 in Bournemouth, England. With legions of fans worldwide, The Lord of the Rings has had … Continue reading September 2 1973 Lord of the Rings creator Tolkien dies
September 1 2004 Chechen separatists storm Russian school
On September 1st 2004, an armed gang of Chechen separatist rebels entered a school in southern Russia and took more than 1,000 people hostage. The rebels demanded the withdrawal of Russian troops from the disputed nearby region of Chechnya. September 1st was the first day of a new school year for millions of students across … Continue reading September 1 2004 Chechen separatists storm Russian school
August 31 1888 Jack the Ripper claims first victim
On August 31st 1888, prostitute Mary Ann Nichols, the first victim of London serial killer "Jack the Ripper," was found murdered and mutilated in Whitechapel's Buck's Row. The East End of London saw four more victims of the murderer during the next few months, but no suspect was ever found. In Victorian England, London's East … Continue reading August 31 1888 Jack the Ripper claims first victim
August 30 30 BCE Cleopatra commits suicide
On August 30th 30 BCE, Cleopatra, queen of Egypt and lover of Julius Caesar and Mark Antony, took her life following the defeat of her forces against Octavian, the future first emperor of Rome. Cleopatra, born in 69 BCE, was made Cleopatra VII, queen of Egypt, upon the death of her father, Ptolemy XII, in … Continue reading August 30 30 BCE Cleopatra commits suicide
August 29 2005 Hurricane Katrina slams into Gulf Coast
On August 29th 2005, Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans, Louisiana, as a Category 4 hurricane. Despite being only the third most powerful storm of the 2005 hurricane season, Katrina was the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. After briefly coming ashore in southern Florida on August 25 as a … Continue reading August 29 2005 Hurricane Katrina slams into Gulf Coast
Craig Hill 