Vintage News · Odd history for September 11

What Happened On September 11

Q: What happened on September 11?

1714: Siege of Barcelona: Barcelona, capital city of the Principality of Catalonia, surrenders to Spanish and French Bourbon armies in the War of the Catalans, the last phase of the War of the Spanish Succession. 1992: Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful hurricane on record to strike the Hawaiian Islands, passed directly over the island of Kauai, killing six people and causing around US$1.8 billion dollars in damage. 1978: British medical photographer Janet Parker became the last recorded person to die from smallpox, leading to a debate on whether the virus should be preserved. 1897: Gaki Sherocho was captured by the forces of Ethiopian emperor Menelik II, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kaffa. 1776: British–American peace conference on Staten Island fails to stop nascent American Revolutionary War. 1893: Swami Vivekananda (pictured) gave a speech introducing Hinduism on the opening day of the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago. 1851: In a fight near Christiana, Pennsylvania, a group of escaped slaves and free Blacks led by William Parker fought off a federal posse seeking to arrest and return the escapees to slavery. 1789: Alexander Hamilton (pictured), co-writer of The Federalist Papers, became the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury. 1297: First War of Scottish Independence: Scottish forces under Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated English troops at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on the River Forth. 1897: After months of pursuit, generals of Menelik II of Ethiopia capture Gaki Sherocho, the last king of the Kaffa.

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10 odd things that happened on September 11

1714 Oddly true
Siege of Barcelona: Barcelona, capital city of the Principality of Catalonia, surrenders to Spanish and French Bourbon armies in the War of the Catalans, the last phase of the War of the Spanish Succession.
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Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1992 Oddly true
Hurricane Iniki, the most powerful hurricane on record to strike the Hawaiian Islands, passed directly over the island of Kauai, killing six people and causing around US$1.8 billion dollars in damage.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1978 Oddly true
British medical photographer Janet Parker became the last recorded person to die from smallpox, leading to a debate on whether the virus should be preserved.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1897 Oddly true
Gaki Sherocho was captured by the forces of Ethiopian emperor Menelik II, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kaffa.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1776 Weird
British–American peace conference on Staten Island fails to stop nascent American Revolutionary War.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1893 First ever
Swami Vivekananda (pictured) gave a speech introducing Hinduism on the opening day of the first Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1851 Oddly true
In a fight near Christiana, Pennsylvania, a group of escaped slaves and free Blacks led by William Parker fought off a federal posse seeking to arrest and return the escapees to slavery.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1789 First ever
Alexander Hamilton (pictured), co-writer of The Federalist Papers, became the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1297 First ever
First War of Scottish Independence: Scottish forces under Andrew Moray and William Wallace defeated English troops at the Battle of Stirling Bridge on the River Forth.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
1897 Oddly true
After months of pursuit, generals of Menelik II of Ethiopia capture Gaki Sherocho, the last king of the Kaffa.
Read more →
Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Observed today

2025Progress MS-32 is launched to resupply the International Space Station. It is the 300th spacecraft launched to the ISS. Wikipedia →
2024Hurricane Francine impacts the Gulf of Mexico, as a Category 2 hurricane. Wikipedia →
2024Soyuz MS-26 is launched to the International Space Station, setting a record of 19 people in orbit at the same time. Wikipedia →
2023The Libyan city of Derna experiences catastrophic floods after Storm Daniel causes two dams to collapse, killing thousands of people. Wikipedia →
2015A crane collapses onto the Masjid al-Haram mosque in Saudi Arabia, killing 111 people and injuring 394 others. Wikipedia →
2012A total of 315 people are killed in two garment factory fires in Pakistan. Wikipedia →
2012The U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya is attacked, resulting in four deaths. Wikipedia →
2011A dedication ceremony is held at the United States National September 11 Memorial on the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks in New York City, and the memorial opens to family members. Wikipedia →
2008A major Channel Tunnel fire breaks out on a freight train, resulting in the closure of part of the tunnel for six months. Wikipedia →
2007Russia tests the largest conventional weapon ever, the Father of All Bombs. Wikipedia →
2001Nineteen members of al-Qaeda execute the September 11 attacks, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks that killed 2,977 people using four hijacked aircraft. Two aircraft crash into the World Trade Center in New York City, a third crashes into The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, and a fourth into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Wikipedia →
1997NASA's Mars Global Surveyor reaches Mars. Wikipedia →
1997Kurkse tragedy: Fourteen Estonian soldiers of the Baltic Battalion are drowned or die of hypothermia during a training exercise in the Kurkse Strait. Wikipedia →
1997After a nationwide referendum, Scotland votes to establish a devolved parliament within the United Kingdom. Wikipedia →
1995The first game of the PCA World Chess Championship 1995, pitting incumbent champion Garry Kasparov against challenger Viswanathan Anand, takes place on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower in New York City. Wikipedia →
1992Hurricane Iniki strikes the island of Kauaʻi, Hawaii, killing seven and causing $3.1bn in economic damages. Wikipedia →
1991Continental Express Flight 2574 crashes in Colorado County, Texas, near Eagle Lake, killing 11 passengers and three crew. Wikipedia →
1990A Faucett Boeing 727 disappears in the Atlantic Ocean while being flown from Malta to Peru. Wikipedia →
1989Hungary announces that the East German refugees who had been housed in temporary camps were free to leave for West Germany. Wikipedia →
1985Moimenta-Alcafache train crash, the worst railway accident to occur in Portugal. Wikipedia →
1982The international forces that were guaranteeing the safety of Palestinian refugees following Israel's 1982 Invasion of Lebanon leave Beirut. Five days later, several thousand refugees are massacred in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps by Phalange forces. Wikipedia →
1980A new constitution of Chile is established under the influence of then Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet, which is subject to controversy in Chile today. Wikipedia →
1977Atari, Inc. releases the Video Computer System (VCS), later renamed the Atari 2600 in 1982. Wikipedia →
1976A bomb planted by a Croatian terrorist, Zvonko Bušić, is found at New York's Grand Central Terminal; one NYPD officer is killed trying to defuse it. Wikipedia →
1974Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 crashes in Charlotte, North Carolina, killing 69 passengers and two crew. Wikipedia →
1973A coup in Chile, headed by General Augusto Pinochet, topples the democratically elected president Salvador Allende. Wikipedia →
1973JAT Airways Flight 769 crashes into the Maganik mountain range while on approach to Titograd Airport, killing 35 passengers and six crew. Wikipedia →
1972The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit system begins passenger service. Wikipedia →
1971The Egyptian Constitution becomes official. Wikipedia →
1971The Festival Rock y Ruedas de Avándaro rock festival is held in the State of Mexico. It attracted more than 100,000 attendees during the Mexican Dirty War, a period marked by widespread political repression. Wikipedia →
1970The Dawson's Field hijackers release 88 of their hostages. The remaining hostages, mostly Jews and Israeli citizens, are held until September 25. Wikipedia →
1968Air France Flight 1611 crashes off Nice, France, killing 89 passengers and six crew. Wikipedia →
1968John Eliot Gardiner conducts Monteverdi's Vespro della Beata Vergine with the Monteverdi Choir at the Proms. Wikipedia →
1968Air Canada Flight 303, a Vickers Viscount 757, was the subject of an attempted plane hijacking to Cuba by a person being chased by the CIA. Wikipedia →
1967China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) launched an attack on Indian posts at Nathu La, Sikkim, India, which resulted in military clashes. Wikipedia →
1965Indo-Pakistani War: The Indian Army captures the town of Burki, just southeast of Lahore. Wikipedia →
1961Hurricane Carla strikes the Texas coast as a Category 4 hurricane, the second strongest storm ever to hit the state. Wikipedia →
1954Hurricane Edna hits New England (United States) as a Category 2 hurricane, causing significant damage and 29 deaths. Wikipedia →
1945World War II: Batu Lintang camp, a Japanese-run POW and civilian internment camp on the island of Borneo, is liberated by Australian 9th Division forces. Wikipedia →
1944World War II: RAF bombing raid on Darmstadt and the following firestorm kill 11,500. Wikipedia →
1943World War II: German troops occupy Corsica and Kosovo-Metohija ending the Italian occupation of Corsica. Wikipedia →
1941Construction begins on the Pentagon. Wikipedia →
1941Charles Lindbergh makes his Des Moines speech accusing the British, Jews and FDR's administration of conspiring for war with Germany. Wikipedia →
1922The Treaty of Kars is ratified in Yerevan, Armenia. Wikipedia →
1921Nahalal, a Jewish moshav in Palestine, is settled. Wikipedia →
1919United States Marine Corps invades Honduras. Wikipedia →
1916The Quebec Bridge's central span collapses, killing 11 men. The bridge previously collapsed completely on August 29, 1907. Wikipedia →
1914World War I: Australia invades German New Guinea, defeating a German contingent at the Battle of Bita Paka. Wikipedia →
1914The Second Period of Russification: The teaching of the Russian language and Russian history in Finnish schools is ordered to be considerably increased as part of the forced Russification program in Finland run by Tsar Nicholas II. Wikipedia →
1905The Ninth Avenue derailment occurs in New York City, killing 13. Wikipedia →
1903The first race at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, Wisconsin is held. It is the oldest major speedway in the world. Wikipedia →
1897After months of pursuit, generals of Menelik II of Ethiopia capture Gaki Sherocho, the last king of the Kaffa. Wikipedia →
1881In the Swiss state of Glarus, a rockslide buries parts of the village of Elm, destroying 83 buildings and killing 115 people. Wikipedia →
1857The Mountain Meadows massacre: Mormon settlers and Paiutes massacre 120 pioneers at Mountain Meadows, Utah. Wikipedia →
1852Outbreak of Revolution of September 11 resulting in the State of Buenos Aires declaring independence as a Republic. Wikipedia →
1851Christiana Resistance: Escaped slaves led by William Parker fight off and kill a slave owner who, with a federal marshal and an armed party, sought to seize three of his former slaves in Christiana, Pennsylvania, thereby creating a cause célèbre between slavery proponents and abolitionists. Wikipedia →
1840An Anglo-Turkish force captures Beirut with the help of bombardment by an English fleet. Wikipedia →
1836The Riograndense Republic is proclaimed by rebels after defeating Empire of Brazil's troops in the Battle of Seival, during the Ragamuffin War. Wikipedia →
1829An expedition led by Isidro Barradas at Tampico, sent by the Spanish crown to retake Mexico, surrenders at the Battle of Tampico, marking the effective end of Spain's resistance to Mexico's campaign for independence. Wikipedia →
1814War of 1812: The climax of the Battle of Plattsburgh, a major United States victory in the war. Wikipedia →
1803The Battle of Delhi, during the Second Anglo-Maratha War, between British troops under General Lake, and Marathas of Scindia's army under General Louis Bourquin ends in a British victory. Wikipedia →
1802France annexes the Kingdom of Piedmont. Wikipedia →
1800The Maltese National Congress Battalions are disbanded by British Civil Commissioner Alexander Ball. Wikipedia →
1792The Hope Diamond is stolen along with other French crown jewels when six men break into the house where they are stored. Wikipedia →
1789Alexander Hamilton is appointed the first United States Secretary of the Treasury. Wikipedia →
1786The beginning of the Annapolis Convention. Wikipedia →
1780American Revolutionary War: Sugarloaf massacre: A small detachment of militia from Northampton County, Pennsylvania, are attacked by Native Americans and Loyalists near Little Nescopeck Creek. Wikipedia →
1777American Revolutionary War: Battle of Brandywine: The British celebrate a major victory in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Wikipedia →
1776British–American peace conference on Staten Island fails to stop nascent American Revolutionary War. Wikipedia →
1775Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec leaves Cambridge, Massachusetts. Wikipedia →
1758Battle of Saint Cast: France repels British invasion during the Seven Years' War. Wikipedia →
1714Siege of Barcelona: Barcelona, capital city of the Principality of Catalonia, surrenders to Spanish and French Bourbon armies in the War of the Catalans, the last phase of the War of the Spanish Succession. Wikipedia →
1709Battle of Malplaquet: Great Britain, Netherlands, and Austria fight against France. Wikipedia →
1708Charles XII of Sweden stops his march to conquer Moscow outside Smolensk, marking the turning point in the Great Northern War. The army is defeated nine months later in the Battle of Poltava, and the Swedish Empire ceases to be a major power. Wikipedia →
1697Battle of Zenta: a major engagement in the Great Turkish War (1683–1699) and one of the most decisive defeats in Ottoman history. Wikipedia →
1683Coalition forces, including the famous winged Hussars, led by Polish King John III Sobieski lift the siege laid by Ottoman forces ahead of the Battle of Vienna. Wikipedia →
1649Siege of Drogheda ends: Oliver Cromwell's Parliamentarian troops take the town and execute its garrison. Wikipedia →
1609Henry Hudson arrives on Manhattan Island and meets the indigenous people living there. Wikipedia →
1565Ottoman forces retreat from Malta ending the Great Siege of Malta. Wikipedia →
1541Santiago, Chile, is attacked by indigenous warriors, led by Michimalonco, to free eight indigenous chiefs held captive by the Spaniards. Wikipedia →
1390Lithuanian Civil War (1389–1392): The Teutonic Knights begin a five-week siege of Vilnius. Wikipedia →
1297Battle of Stirling Bridge: Scots jointly led by William Wallace and Andrew Moray defeat the English. Wikipedia →
1275An earthquake occurs in the south of Great Britain, notably causing multiple fatalities as well as destroying St Michael's Church on Glastonbury Tor. Wikipedia →
1185Isaac II Angelos kills Stephen Hagiochristophorites and then appeals to the people, resulting in the revolt that deposes Andronikos I Komnenos and places Isaac on the throne of the Byzantine Empire. Wikipedia →
911William I of Aquitaine gifts abbot Berno a group of lands close to Mâcon to found a new monastery. Contrary to other Benedictine monasteries, William sets the monastery outside of the control of any feudal lord. Wikipedia →
9The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends: The Roman Empire suffers the greatest defeat of its history and the Rhine is established as the border between the Empire and the so-called barbarians for the next four hundred years. Wikipedia →

From The Guardian Archives — On This Day

2019The Guardian
Supreme court decision to let Trump deny asylum reverses years of US policy
Justices’ order reverses a lower court ruling that blocked the restrictions in some states
Read on The Guardian →
2011The Guardian
Sheffield solar power sees city top table for renewable energy installation
Steel city has added the most renewable energy production per head since introduction of feed-in tariffs last year
Read on The Guardian →
1939The New York Times
U.S. AMATEUR GOLF ON TODAY IN WEST
GLENVIEW, Ill., Sept.10.--A tense atmosphere hung over the North Shore Country Club today as the 160-odd candidates f…
Read on NYTimes.com →

Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform · Historic front pages via the NYT Archive API

Facts from Wikipedia On This Day API (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Wikimedia. Thumbnails CC BY-SA. Headlines via The Guardian Open Platform and the NYT Archive API. Historic pages via Library of Congress Chronicling America. Curated by OddlyTrue.