The Continental Congress Names the Country the United States
On September 9, 1776, Congress resolved that the new nation be called the United States rather than the United Colonies.
Benedict Arnold Gives the British the Plans of West Point
On September 21, 1780, Benedict Arnold gave the British the plans of West Point, the fort he commanded, in the most famous treason in American history.
Delegates Sign the United States Constitution in Philadelphia
On September 17, 1787, delegates in Philadelphia signed the United States Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation.
The French National Convention Abolishes the Monarchy
On September 21, 1792, the French National Convention abolished the monarchy and declared the country a republic.
The French First Republic Is Proclaimed and the Republican Calendar Begins
On September 22, 1792, the French Republic was proclaimed and Year One of the Republican Calendar began, backdated to the abolition of the monarchy.
George Washington Lays the Cornerstone of the United States Capitol
On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the United States Capitol in the new federal city.
George Washington's Farewell Address Is Published
On September 19, 1796, Washington's Farewell Address was published, announcing his retirement and warning against foreign entanglements.
Brazil Declares Independence from Portugal
On September 7, 1822, Dom Pedro declared Brazil independent from Portugal at Ipiranga, beginning the Brazilian empire.
Lincoln Issues the Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation
On September 22, 1862, Lincoln issued the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation, freeing slaves in the states still in rebellion from January 1.
New Zealand Grants Women the Vote
On September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first self-governing country to give all women the right to vote.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria Is Stabbed in Geneva
On September 10, 1898, Empress Elisabeth of Austria was assassinated in Geneva by Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni.
President William McKinley Is Shot in Buffalo
On September 6, 1901, President William McKinley was shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in Buffalo; he died of gangrene eight days later.
The Boxer Protocol Is Signed in Beijing
On September 7, 1901, China signed the Boxer Protocol with eleven powers, agreeing to a huge indemnity and foreign troops in Beijing.
Russia Is Proclaimed a Republic
On September 14, 1917, Russia's Provisional Government declared the country a republic, weeks before the Bolshevik seizure of power.
The Mukden Incident Gives Japan a Pretext to Invade Manchuria
On September 18, 1931, the staged Mukden Incident gave Japan's Kwantung Army a pretext to invade and occupy Manchuria.
Nazi Germany Enacts the Nuremberg Laws
On September 15, 1935, Nazi Germany enacted the Nuremberg Laws, stripping Jews of citizenship and banning mixed marriages.
Roosevelt Signs the First Peacetime Draft in American History
On September 16, 1940, Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act, the first peacetime military draft in United States history.
Construction Begins on the Pentagon
On September 11, 1941, work began on the Pentagon in Virginia; it was finished 16 months later as the world's largest office building.
The National Security Act Creates the CIA
On September 18, 1947, the National Security Act created the CIA, the National Security Council and an independent Air Force.
Juliana Becomes Queen of the Netherlands
On September 6, 1948, Juliana became Queen of the Netherlands after her mother Wilhelmina abdicated, reigning until 1980.
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea Is Proclaimed
On September 9, 1948, the DPRK was proclaimed in the north of Korea with Kim Il Sung as premier, splitting the peninsula.
The First Plenary Session of the CPPCC Opens in Beiping
On September 21, 1949, the first CPPCC plenary session opened in Beiping and began the process that established the People's Republic of China.
Forty-Eight Nations Sign the Treaty of San Francisco with Japan
On September 8, 1951, 48 nations signed a peace treaty with Japan at San Francisco; China was not invited and rejected its validity.
Khrushchev Becomes the First Soviet Leader to Visit the United States
On September 15, 1959, Nikita Khrushchev became the first Soviet leader to visit the United States, spending 13 days in the country.
The Federation of Malaysia Is Proclaimed
On September 16, 1963, Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore was expelled less than two years later.
Gibraltar Votes to Remain British
On September 10, 1967, Gibraltar voted overwhelmingly to remain British rather than transfer to Spanish sovereignty.
Swaziland Gains Independence from Britain
On September 6, 1968, Swaziland gained independence from Britain with King Sobhuza II as head of state; it renamed itself Eswatini in 2018.
Nikita Khrushchev Dies in Moscow
On September 11, 1971, Nikita Khrushchev died in Moscow, seven years after the party removed him from power.
East and West Germany Are Admitted to the United Nations
On September 18, 1973, East and West Germany both joined the United Nations, 24 years after the two states were founded.
President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon
On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes committed during his presidency.
Vietnam Is Admitted to the United Nations
On September 20, 1977, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam joined the United Nations, two years after reunification ended the Vietnam War.
Solidarity Is Founded at the Lenin Shipyard in Gdansk
On September 17, 1980, Polish workers founded Solidarity at Gdansk, the first independent trade union in the Soviet bloc.
A Suicide Bomber Attacks the US Embassy Annex in Beirut
On September 20, 1984, a suicide bombing at the US embassy annex in Beirut killed 23 people and deepened the American withdrawal from Lebanon.
North and South Korea Join the United Nations Together
On September 17, 1991, North and South Korea joined the United Nations as separate states, after decades of rival claims to represent all of Korea.
The Funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales
On September 6, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was buried from Westminster Abbey after a car crash in Paris; billions watched worldwide.
The September 11 Attacks on the United States
On September 11, 2001, hijackers flew four planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, killing nearly 3,000 people.
George W. Bush Announces the War on Terror to Congress
On September 20, 2001, Bush addressed Congress after 9/11 and demanded the Taliban surrender al-Qaeda, setting out what became the war on terror.