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.
Harvard College Is Founded
On October 28, 1636, Massachusetts voted to found a college that became Harvard, the first in the English colonies.
William Penn Founds Philadelphia
On October 27, 1682, William Penn founded Philadelphia, a planned city of wide streets in Pennsylvania.
Thirteen German Families Found Germantown in Pennsylvania
Thirteen German families from Krefeld landed at Philadelphia on October 6, 1683, and founded Germantown.
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.
College of New Jersey Is Chartered
The College of New Jersey, later Princeton University, was chartered on October 22, 1746. It became one of America's great universities.
The Royal Proclamation Closes the West to Colonial Settlement
On October 7, 1763, the Royal Proclamation closed land west of the Appalachians to settlement and reserved it for Native Americans.
The Continental Congress Establishes the Continental Navy
The Continental Congress voted on October 13, 1775 to fit out two warships, the origin of the United States Navy.
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.
Washington's Army Is Repulsed at Germantown
On October 4, 1777, Washington's attack on the British at Germantown failed in heavy fog.
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.
British Spy John Andre Is Hanged
On October 2, 1780, British major John Andre was hanged as a spy after the plot to surrender West Point.
Los Angeles Is Founded by Spanish Settlers
On September 4, 1781, forty-four settlers founded the pueblo of Los Angeles on the Porciuncula River under Spanish governor Felipe de Neve.
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 Proclaims the First National Thanksgiving
On October 3, 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving, to be held on November 26.
St. Clair's Defeat on the Wabash
On November 4, 1791, an American army under General Arthur St. Clair was destroyed on the Wabash by a Native confederation.
The Cornerstone of the White House Is Laid
The cornerstone of the White House was laid on October 13, 1792, and the building was first occupied by John Adams in 1800.
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.
The Senate Approves the Louisiana Purchase
On October 20, 1803, the US Senate ratified the Louisiana Purchase, in which France sold a vast territory for about 15 million dollars.
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.
The Erie Canal Opens
The Erie Canal opened on October 26, 1825, linking the Great Lakes to New York City and cutting freight costs sharply.
The Texas Revolution Begins at Gonzales
On October 2, 1835, Texian militia turned back Mexican cavalry at Gonzales, starting the Texas Revolution.
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.
Ether Anesthesia Is Demonstrated Publicly in Boston
The first public use of ether anesthesia took place in Boston on October 16, 1846, changing surgery forever.
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.
Theodore Roosevelt Is Born in New York
On October 27, 1858, Theodore Roosevelt, who became the 26th US president and won the Nobel peace prize, was born in New York City.
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 Gold Panic of 1869 Ruins Thousands on Wall Street
On September 24, 1869, gold prices collapsed in New York, ending a corner engineered by Jay Gould and James Fisk and ruining thousands.
The Great Chicago Fire Burns the Centre of the City
The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871, killed about 300 people and burned for two days, leaving a third of the city homeless.
Edison Tests the Practical Light Bulb
Thomas Edison tested the first practical incandescent light bulb on October 21, 1879. The carbon filament burned for over thirteen hours.
A Filament That Would Not Burn Out
Edison lit a carbon filament lamp for 13 and a half hours on October 21, 1879, making electric lighting practical.
The World's First Hydroelectric Power Station Starts Operating
On September 30, 1882, the Vulcan Street Plant in Appleton, Wisconsin, became the world's first hydroelectric power station.
The Metropolitan Opera House Opens
The Metropolitan Opera House opened in New York on October 22, 1883, with a performance of Faust. It became America's leading opera company.
The International Meridian Conference Chooses Greenwich
The International Meridian Conference chose Greenwich as the prime meridian on October 13, 1884, fixing the world's zero line of longitude.
The Statue of Liberty Is Dedicated
On October 28, 1886, the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor as a gift from France.
George Eastman Patents the Kodak Camera and Registers the Trademark
On September 4, 1888, George Eastman patented the Kodak roll-film camera and registered the Kodak name, opening photography to the mass market.
The Washington Monument Opens to the Public
The Washington Monument opened to the public on October 9, 1888, 36 years after construction began and four years after it was finished.
North Dakota and South Dakota Join the Union
On November 2, 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota became the 39th and 40th U.S. states.
Yosemite National Park Is Established
On October 1, 1890, Yosemite National Park was created in California, the second American national park.
Boston Subway Opens: First in North America
On September 1, 1897, Boston opened the Tremont Street Subway, the first subway tunnel in North America. It still carries trains today.
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.
Annie Taylor Goes Over Niagara Falls
Annie Edson Taylor became the first person to survive Niagara Falls in a barrel on October 24, 1901. She was 63 years old.
New York's First Subway Opens
New York City opened its first subway line on October 27, 1904, a nine-mile run that reshaped the city.
Treaty of Portsmouth Ends the Russo-Japanese War
On September 5, 1905, Russia and Japan signed the Treaty of Portsmouth, ending their war and confirming Japan's position in Korea.
The Wright Brothers Fly 24 Miles
On October 5, 1905, Wilbur Wright flew 24 miles in 39 minutes, a record that stood until 1908.
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.
The First Ford Model T Is Built at the Piquette Plant
On September 27, 1908, Ford built the first Model T at its Piquette plant in Detroit, beginning the age of the cheap car.
Joseph Pulitzer Dies
On October 29, 1911, the newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer, who founded the Pulitzer prizes, died at the age of 64.
Theodore Roosevelt Is Shot While Campaigning
Theodore Roosevelt was shot in the chest in Milwaukee on October 14, 1912, and went on to deliver his speech before seeing a doctor.
The First Commercial Radio Station Goes on the Air
On November 2, 1920, station KDKA in Pittsburgh went on the air, and it is counted as the first commercial radio station in the United States.
Nellie Tayloe Ross Becomes the First Woman Governor
On November 4, 1924, Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman elected U.S. governor.
Work Begins on Mount Rushmore
On October 4, 1927, Gutzon Borglum began carving the presidential faces at Mount Rushmore.
The Jazz Singer Brings Recorded Sound to Feature Films
The Jazz Singer premiered on October 6, 1927, the first feature with synchronized singing and speech, and ended the silent era.
Wall Street Crashes on Black Thursday
Wall Street crashed on October 24, 1929, known as Black Thursday. The crash began the Great Depression.
Black Tuesday on Wall Street
The Wall Street crash continued on 28 October 1929 with the Dow falling nearly 13 per cent in a day, opening the contraction that became the Depression.
Al Capone Is Convicted
Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion on 17 October 1931 and sentenced to eleven years, a case built on unexplained income rather than violence.
Al Capone Is Convicted of Tax Evasion
Al Capone was convicted of tax evasion on October 17, 1931, and sentenced to eleven years, the charge that finally ended his power.
Thomas Edison Dies at 84
Thomas Edison died on October 18, 1931, aged 84, holding 1,093 American patents.
Hoover Dam Is Dedicated
On September 30, 1935, Franklin Roosevelt dedicated Hoover Dam, the tallest dam in the world, on the Colorado River.
Monopoly Goes on Sale
On November 5, 1935, Parker Brothers put the board game Monopoly on sale in the United States, and it became a best seller.
The War of the Worlds Radio Panic
On October 30, 1938, a radio play of The War of the Worlds fooled listeners into fearing a real invasion.
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.
Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator Opens
On October 15, 1940, Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator, his first sound film and a satire of Hitler, opened in New York.
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.
Streptomycin Isolated at Rutgers
Streptomycin, the first drug effective against tuberculosis, was isolated at Rutgers University on October 19, 1943. It came from a soil bacterium.
The United Nations Comes into Being
The United Nations was founded on October 24, 1945, when its Charter took effect. Fifty-one nations were the original members.
The First Photograph of Earth from Space
A V-2 rocket carried a camera to 105 kilometres on 24 October 1946 and took the first photograph of the Earth from space.
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.
Truman Makes the First Televised Presidential Address
On October 5, 1947, Truman gave the first televised presidential address, asking Americans to save grain.
HUAC Opens Hollywood Hearings
HUAC began hearings on Communist influence in Hollywood on October 20, 1947. The investigation led to a blacklist that ended careers for years.
The Peanuts Comic Strip Is First Published
On October 2, 1950, Charles Schulz's Peanuts appeared in seven newspapers for the first time.
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 First Transistor Radio Goes on Sale
On October 18, 1954, Texas Instruments announced the Regency TR-1, the first transistor radio sold to the public, a pocket sized set.
James Dean Dies in a Car Crash
On September 30, 1955, James Dean died in a car crash near Cholame, California, aged 24.
Bill Gates Is Born in Seattle
On October 28, 1955, Bill Gates, who founded Microsoft and later set up a large philanthropic foundation, was born in Seattle.
Don Larsen Pitches the Only Perfect Game in World Series History
Don Larsen threw the only perfect game in World Series history on October 8, 1956, for the Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers.
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.
Federal Troops Escort Nine Black Students into Little Rock Central High
On September 25, 1957, federal troops escorted nine Black students into Little Rock Central High School against mobs and the state government.
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.
NASA Begins Operating
On October 1, 1958, NASA began operating in the United States, replacing the NACA after the Sputnik launches.
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 Guggenheim Museum Opens
The Guggenheim Museum opened on October 21, 1959. Frank Lloyd Wright's spiral building became an icon of modern architecture.
The USS Enterprise, First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Is Launched
On September 24, 1960, the USS Enterprise was launched at Newport News, the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the world.
The First Televised Presidential Debate Is Held in Chicago
On September 26, 1960, the first televised presidential debate was held in Chicago between Kennedy and Nixon, before 70 million viewers.
Rachel Carson's Silent Spring Is Published
On September 27, 1962, Rachel Carson published Silent Spring, which led to the ban on DDT and the modern environmental movement.
Kennedy Announces the Cuba Quarantine
President Kennedy announced the discovery of Soviet missiles in Cuba on October 22, 1962, and ordered a naval quarantine. The Cuban Missile Crisis began.
The Cuban Missile Crisis Ends
On October 28, 1962, Khrushchev announced the removal of Soviet missiles from Cuba, ending the thirteen day Cuban missile crisis.
The Partial Test Ban Treaty Takes Effect
The Partial Test Ban Treaty took effect on October 10, 1963, ending nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in space and under water.
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.
California Becomes the First State to Ban LSD
California's ban on LSD took effect on October 6, 1966, the first state law against the drug, and it ended open medical research with it.
Thurgood Marshall Joins the Supreme Court
On October 2, 1967, Thurgood Marshall became the first African American justice of the US Supreme Court.
The Outer Space Treaty Enters Into Force
The Outer Space Treaty entered into force on October 10, 1967, banning national claims on the Moon and weapons of mass destruction in orbit.
Protesters March on the Pentagon
More than 50,000 people marched on the Pentagon on October 21, 1967 to protest the Vietnam War. Hundreds were arrested.
60 Minutes Premieres on CBS
On September 24, 1968, 60 Minutes premiered on CBS with Mike Wallace and Harry Reasoner, beginning the longest run in prime-time television.
Apollo 7 Launches, the First Crewed Flight After the Fire
Apollo 7 launched on October 11, 1968, the first crewed Apollo flight after the 1967 fire, and spent eleven days in orbit.
Apollo 7 Returns Safely to Earth
Apollo 7 splashed down on October 22, 1968, completing the first crewed Apollo mission. It cleared the way for the flight to the Moon.
The First Network Link Is Made
On October 29, 1969, ARPANET sent its first message between two computers, the seed of the internet.
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.
The United Nations Restores China's Seat
On October 25, 1971, the UN General Assembly restored the People's Republic of China's seat by Resolution 2758, removing the Taipei representatives.
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.
Saturday Night Live Debuts on NBC
Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin as host and a cast that included John Belushi.
NASA Launches Voyager 1 Toward the Outer Planets
On September 5, 1977, NASA launched Voyager 1, which later became the first human-made object to reach interstellar space.
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 Greensboro Massacre
On November 3, 1979, five people were shot dead when Klansmen and neo-Nazis attacked a rally in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Reagan Signs the Law Creating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
On November 2, 1983, Reagan signed the law creating the Martin Luther King Jr. federal holiday.
Kathryn Sullivan Becomes the First American Woman to Walk in Space
Kathryn Sullivan became the first American woman to walk in space on October 11, 1984, during the Challenger mission.
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.
Stock Markets Crash on Black Monday
On October 19, 1987, the Dow Jones fell 22.6 percent, its worst one-day drop ever. The Black Monday crash spread to markets worldwide.
The Morris Worm Spreads Through the Internet
On November 2, 1988, the Morris worm spread through the internet and disabled a large part of it, the first such case to reach the courts.
The Loma Prieta Earthquake Strikes the San Francisco Area
The Loma Prieta earthquake, magnitude 6.9, struck the San Francisco area on October 17, 1989, killing 63 people.
The United States and North Korea Sign a Nuclear Agreement
On October 21, 1994, the United States and North Korea signed the Agreed Framework in Geneva to freeze the North Korean nuclear programme.
Pierre Omidyar Launches AuctionWeb, the Site That Became eBay
On September 3, 1995, Pierre Omidyar launched AuctionWeb in San Jose, a site renamed eBay two years later that changed online selling.
The First Internet Bank Opens
On October 18, 1995, Security First Network Bank opened as the first US bank to run entirely over the internet, with no branches.
The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Opens for Signature
On September 24, 1996, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty opened for signature, banning all nuclear test explosions.
Jiang Zemin Visits the United States
On October 26, 1997, Jiang Zemin arrived in the United States for the first state visit by a Chinese head of state since 1985.
China Signs the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
On October 27, 1997, China signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at the United Nations in New York.
Google Is Incorporated by Larry Page and Sergey Brin
On September 4, 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin incorporated Google in California, built around the PageRank link algorithm.
NASA Loses Contact with the Mars Climate Orbiter
On September 23, 1999, NASA lost the Mars Climate Orbiter because of a mismatch between imperial and metric units.
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.
Apple Introduces the iPod
Apple released the iPod on October 23, 2001, a player that held a thousand songs. It transformed music and made Apple a giant.
Barack Obama Wins the U.S. Presidency
On November 4, 2008, Barack Obama was elected the first Black U.S. president.
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.