The Mayflower Sails from Plymouth for North America
On September 16, 1620, the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth with 102 passengers. The 66-day crossing ended at Cape Cod, not the Hudson.
The Stono Rebellion, Largest Slave Uprising in Colonial America
On September 9, 1739, the Stono Rebellion broke out near Charleston, the largest slave uprising in Britain's mainland American colonies.
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.
Nathan Hale Is Hanged as a Spy in New York
On September 22, 1776, Nathan Hale was hanged by the British in New York for spying, at the age of 21.
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.
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.
Francis Scott Key Writes the Defence of Fort McHenry
On September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote Defence of Fort McHenry, the poem that became the US national anthem.
Elias Howe Patents the Lockstitch Sewing Machine
On September 10, 1846, Elias Howe patented the lockstitch sewing machine, the design that made machine sewing practical.
Phineas Gage Survives an Iron Rod Through the Head
On September 13, 1848, an iron rod was driven through Phineas Gage's skull; he survived and became neurology's most cited case.
The First Issue of The New York Times Is Published
On September 18, 1851, the first issue of the New-York Daily Times was published, founded by Henry Jarvis Raymond and George Jones.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre
On September 11, 1857, around 120 emigrants were killed at Mountain Meadows in Utah by Mormon militia and Paiute allies.
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.
The Galveston Hurricane Devastates Texas
On September 8, 1900, a hurricane hit Galveston, Texas, killing up to 12,000 people in the deadliest natural disaster in US history.
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.
General Motors Is Founded by William Durant in Flint
On September 16, 1908, William Durant incorporated General Motors in Flint, Michigan, beginning the consolidation of the American car industry.
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 Boeing B-29 Superfortress Makes Its First Flight
On September 21, 1942, the first B-29 Superfortress flew from Seattle, the largest and most advanced bomber of the Second World War.
A Moth Is Found in the Harvard Mark II Computer
On September 9, 1947, a moth found in a relay of the Harvard Mark II became the first documented computer bug.
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.
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.
The United States Conducts Its First Underground Nuclear Test
On September 19, 1957, the US fired Rainier, its first fully contained underground nuclear test, in a tunnel in Nevada.
Jack Kilby Builds the First Working Integrated Circuit
On September 12, 1958, Jack Kilby ran the first working integrated circuit, putting every component on one piece of semiconductor.
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.
Star Trek Premieres on NBC
On September 8, 1966, Star Trek premiered on NBC; cancelled after three seasons, it grew into one of TV's biggest franchises.
State Police Retake Attica Prison
On September 13, 1971, police retook Attica prison in New York, killing 39 people, all of them by police gunfire.
Billie Jean King Beats Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes
On September 20, 1973, Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs in straight sets at the Houston Astrodome, before 50 million TV viewers.
President Ford Pardons Richard Nixon
On September 8, 1974, President Gerald Ford pardoned Richard Nixon for any crimes committed during his presidency.
The Torrijos-Carter Treaties on the Panama Canal
On September 7, 1977, the US and Panama signed the treaties transferring control of the canal to Panama by the end of 1999.
The Plaza Accord Is Signed to Bring Down the Dollar
On September 22, 1985, five nations signed the Plaza Accord at the Plaza Hotel in New York to drive down the value of the US dollar.
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.
LIGO Detects Gravitational Waves for the First Time
On September 14, 2015, LIGO detected gravitational waves from merging black holes, confirming a prediction Einstein made in 1916.