Amsterdam Receives Its First Rights
On October 27, 1275, a Dutch count granted Amsterdam's early residents toll freedom, the town's first known record.
Michelangelo Begins Work on the David
On September 13, 1501, Michelangelo began work on the David, carving a marble block others had abandoned since 1464.
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.
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.
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 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.
Brazil Declares Independence from Portugal
On September 7, 1822, Dom Pedro declared Brazil independent from Portugal at Ipiranga, beginning the Brazilian empire.
The Metropolitan Police Begins Patrolling London
On September 29, 1829, the Metropolitan Police began patrolling London, the first professional police force of its kind.
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 Football Association Is Founded
On October 26, 1863, English clubs formed the Football Association in London, the first body to set common football rules.
The Red Cross Is Founded
On October 29, 1863, sixteen nations met in Geneva and founded the Red Cross to aid war's wounded.
The International Workingmen's Association Is Founded in London
On September 28, 1864, the First International was founded in London, bringing together trade unionists, socialists and political exiles.
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.
Fusajiro Yamauchi Founds Nintendo in Kyoto
On September 23, 1889, Nintendo was founded in Kyoto by Fusajiro Yamauchi to produce handmade hanafuda playing cards.
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.
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 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Is Proclaimed
On September 23, 1932, Ibn Saud proclaimed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, uniting Hejaz and Nejd under one state.
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 First Cannes Film Festival Opens
On September 20, 1946, the first Cannes Film Festival opened in France, seven years after it was originally planned for 1939.
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.
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.
Soichiro Honda Founds the Honda Motor Company
On September 24, 1948, Soichiro Honda founded the Honda Motor Company in Japan with 34 workers and a bicycle engine.
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.
The Chinese Academy of Sciences Is Founded
On November 1, 1949, the Chinese Academy of Sciences was founded in Beijing with Guo Moruo as its first president.
The Convention Establishing CERN Is Signed
On September 29, 1954, twelve countries signed the convention establishing CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva.
ITV Goes on Air and Ends the BBC Television Monopoly
On September 22, 1955, ITV launched in London, ending the BBC's 19-year monopoly of British television.
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.
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.
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.
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.