Belisarius Defeats the Vandals at Ad Decimum
On September 13, 533, Belisarius defeated the Vandals at Ad Decimum and went on to retake North Africa for the empire.
A Christian Alliance Breaks the Ottoman Siege of Vienna
On September 12, 1683, a Polish-led relief army broke the Ottoman siege of Vienna, ending Turkish expansion in Europe.
The British Win the Plains of Abraham Outside Quebec
On September 13, 1759, Wolfe defeated Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham outside Quebec; both generals died of their wounds.
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.
Napoleon Enters Moscow and the City Burns
On September 14, 1812, Napoleon entered Moscow as the Russians set the city on fire, beginning the end of his invasion.
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.
The Soviet Union Invades Eastern Poland
On September 17, 1939, Soviet forces invaded eastern Poland under the secret protocol of the Nazi-Soviet Pact, partitioning the country.
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.
Operation Market Garden Begins in the Netherlands
On September 17, 1944, Operation Market Garden dropped 35,000 airborne troops into the Netherlands to seize bridges to Arnhem.
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.
UN Forces Land at Inchon
On September 15, 1950, UN forces landed at Inchon behind North Korean lines, reversing the course of the Korean War.
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.